07.04.08 -Elite and under-23 cyclists take centre stage at Tim Hortons Road Nationals July 4-6 in St-Georges-de-Beauce

ST-GEORGES-DE-BEAUCE, Que. – Several Canadian Olympic nominees including Alex Wrubleski of Regina and Svein Tuft of Langley, B.C., headline the 2008 Tim Hortons Road Nationals cycling championships which run Friday to Sunday (July 4-6).

Competition kicks-off Friday with the individual time trials which will field 35 women riders and 86 for the men.

There’s more than a national title on the line in the women’s elite ITT for Wrubleski and her Olympic teammates Leigh Hobson of Cambridge, Ont., and Erinne Willock of Victoria. The best of the three on Friday will race the event at the Olympic Games. In addition, Anne Samplonius of Montreal will also line-up to defend her national title.

On the men’s side, Tuft was one of three Olympic nominees to the men’s road team and will race both the time trial and road race in Beijing. His Olympic road teammates, Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria, the defending time trial champion, and Michael Barry of Toronto, are currently in Europe on assignment with their respective pro teams and won’t race this weekend. Hesjedal is preparing for the Tour de France which starts this Saturday.

Martin Gilbert of Chateauguay, Que., and Zach Bell of Watson Lake, Yukon, Olympic nominees in track today, are established road racers as well and will be among Tuft’s top challengers this weekend.

On Saturday, competition continues with the 114 kilometre women’s elite road race which has attracted about 60 riders. A new national champion will be crowned as Gina Grain of Burnaby, B.C., an Olympic nominee on track, is not entered this weekend.

On Sunday, it’s the men’s 172.8 kilometre elite and under-23 road race. More than 140 riders are expected at the start line including defending champion Cam Evans of Vancouver.