Gatineau, QUE – Joelle Numainville of Dr. Vie Team TIBCO narrowly missed out on repeating as champion of the Grand Prix Cicliste Gatineau on Saturday, losing a close sprint to World Champion Georgia Bronzini (Colavita). “An amazing race,” says Dr. Vie from the media van with Dr. Vie TV.
“The girls rode incredibly well,” said Team Directeur Sportif Lisa Hunt. “It was a hard race, and Joelle was a marked rider from the start. The other teams also put pressure on us to do a lot of the work during the race.
Canadian Erinne Willock of Team TIBCO did her best to take some of that pressure off, inserting herself in what would be the main break of the day.
“Colavita had two riders up there, including Theresa Cliff-Ryan, so Willock sat on the break. But with Cliff-Ryan up there, it wasn’t an ideal situation for Team TIBCO. The break stayed out front from lap three to lap eight of 11, before the race was back together. One other solo move was neutralized by the end of lap 10.
“We weren’t too worried about the solo move,” Hunt said. “When things came back together for the last lap, our goal was to keep it together and then set up Joelle for the sprint. The Team did a fantastic job of putting Joelle in position late on the last lap going into the sprint.”
The plan was to put Joelle in second position coming out of the final turn so she could open up her sprint a bit early. “She can hold a long sprint,” Hunt added.
Which is exactly what they did. Numainville found herself on Bronzini’s wheel coming out of the final turn. On the finishing straight, Numainville made her move to come around the World Champion, but Bronzini drifted a bit into Numainville’s line.
“She had to let off the gas just a little bit to keep from going into the barriers,” Hunt said.
The hesitation was just enough to keep the Canadian National Champion from the top step on the podium.
“It was a hard race,” Hunt said. “I’m pleased with how everyone rode. Joelle has great form right now and she’s sprinting really well. I’m confident she can have a good Liberty Classic in two weeks, and podium or even win it.”
“I was honoured to spend time with my Tibco Team. Each of the girls Erinne, Emma, Meagan, Carly and Joelle are great riders. I learned more about their lives as we shared special moments over the weekend at the tent, over Dr. Vie dessert, at the race and over dinner post race.
Watch the entire action on DrVieTV today with exclusive interviews with superwomen Team Tibco, Clara Hughes, Georgia Bronzini and more,” says Dr. Vie.
The season is in full swing now as the teams compete in the USA, Europe and world wide. Catch us at the Canadian Nationals in Burlington next month.
With love always
Dr. Vie, Scientist & Founder
Dr. Vie, Inc. Montreal, Canada
514-233-8756