06.30.08 - Victoria’s Erinne Willock nominated for third spot on women’s Olympic road racing team

OTTAWA- The Canadian Cycling Association announced Monday that Erinne Willock of Victoria is the third nominee on the women’s road racing team.

Two weeks ago, Alex Wrubleski of Regina, SK and Leigh Hobson of Cambridge, Ont., were nominated to the team. An appeal was launched regarding the third spot nomination but it was later dropped.

I am very excited and proud to be representing Canada at the Olympics,’’ said Willock, 26. ‘’I have been working towards achieving this dream for many years. Canada has an incredibly strong women's team and it is exciting to be a part of it. We’ve really stepped it up this year and showed we can compete with the best."

Willock, a strong climber, has been a national team member since 2000 and raced for Canada at the Commonwealth Games two years ago in Melbourne, Australia. She placed 10th in the time trial and 11th in the road race. At the 2007 world championships she placed 16th.

Her nomination continues a Games family tradition. Her father Martin competed in the team trial at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Her uncle Bernie won bronze in the team trial at the 1979 Pan Am Games and was also the 1980 road race national champion.