by Fred Geuer
The organizers of the Mississippi Mills Grand Prix of Cycling are ready to go. The racers are as well. This years edition features some impressive talent. In all ten teams, including many of the top riders in their category, will be here this weekend. It should make for an exciting spectacle.
Leading the field, wearing jersey number 1 will be last year’s MMGrand Prix champion, Aaron Fillion. Aaron is the 2009 Canadian Road Champion and leads a strong Ride With Rendall team that feels it can repeat last year’s heroics. The team also features number 3, Kevin Massicotte, the 2009 National Junior Road Champion and number 4, Kierrnan Orange who missed last year’s event because he was racing in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Stevens P/B The Cyclery team should be pressing hard. Leading their line-up is Team Ontario stalwart Mateo Dal-Cin, number 16. Also on this impressive roster is number 17, J. S. Perron, past winner of the Quebec One Day 265km road race were he bested an impressive field of professional riders. The team also includes Derrick St. John, no. 18, another Canadian National Team member and number 19, Stephan Keeping who earned his chops in the prestigious 2012 Mardis Lachine series and biked to Florida this winter, “to get a good base for the 2013 season.”
Other riders to watch are plentiful. Charlie Gorman, is a past Junior National Champ wearing number 32 for the Nine 2 Five Pro.com team. No. 43, Osmond Bakker with Otto-Cervelo is another Canadian National Team member. Ron Amos, No. 24 leads the charge for the men’s masters division having medaled numerous times at the Canadian Nationals. Mike Nash, no. 26, is a past holder of the world hour record.
Organizers were thrilled to see the top female rider from last year’s Mississippi Mills Grand Prix return as well. Karol-Anne Canuel will be here to represent The Cyclery team, wearing jersey no. 39. Karol-Anne is truly one of Canada’s top female riders. This Canadian National Team member has spent this spring competing in Canada, the USA, Mexico, France, Italy and Belgium. This dynamo on wheels loved the MMGP
race last year and really didn’t want to miss it. When she found out organizers weren’t running a women’s race she arranged to join The Cyclery mens team to get a spot.
The action starts Friday, June 7, with the Pakenham Blakeney circuit race, followed Saturday morning by time trials on the Clayton Road and a criterium on Saturday afternoon in Almonte. Sunday the action wraps up with the grueling Pakenham White Lake road race. More information can be found at ridewithrendall.com or mmbm.ca. The table is set, the riders are here, come out and witness Canadian race cycling at it’s best!
