Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery for 2012

Team Stevens at Preston Street, 2011Stevens Bikes and The Cyclery are proud to announce its list of confirmed riders for the 2012 women’s elite racing team Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery.

The Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery team roster for 2012 includes a strong mix of riders who have international and domestic experience in road racing, time trials, track racing and cyclo-cross racing. This team of 11 riders includes some experienced veterans and some of Canada’s top young talent.

Building on the success of the previous three years, Vince Caceres of The Cyclery is very happy to see a renewed commitment level on behalf of Stevens Bikes, “In a time when major bicycle manufacturers are stepping away from supporting women’s racing, is is encouraging to see Stevens Bikes renewing their support in advancing women’s bicycle racing.”

The 2012 team roster for Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery is:

• Jenny Trew: as the team captain, Jenny returns to racing after being sidelined with a concussion sustained in a training accident in 2011. Jenny brings years of top-level road racing both internationally and domestically to the team.
• Melissa Bunn: returning to the team for the third year, Melissa is the 2011 and 2010 Ontario Provincial Cyclo-Cross Champion and is fast becoming a leader both on and off the bike.
• Florence Laplante-Lamarche: a young up-and-coming athlete, Florence has medaled at the Junior Pan Am Track Championships and won a bronze medal at the Canadian Elite Track Nationals in 2011. Look for Florence to use her sprinting power on the road and on the track this season - her third with team.
• Adriane Provost: a strong time trialist with the Canadian National Junior Time Trial title in 2008, Adriane is turning into a talented and strong road racer. Adriane will be using her engine on the road and on the time trial bike this season.
• Annick Dufor: Annick is widely known in racing circles in Quebec and Ontario and she will be using her experience in road races, stage races and time trials.
• Carrie Cartmill: perhaps one of the most experienced racers on the team, Carrie has raced on Canadian National team projects and returns to racing after a year off to focus on her studies and career. 
• Kelly Knowles: as an all-round racer, Kelly brings with her some solid results from the 2010 season and is looking forward to her first season of racing with the team.
• Michelle Paiement: with a break-out year in 2009 that saw Michelle win the Masters Women’s Canadian National Road Racing Championship, Michelle has made a strong transition to elite racing and continues to excel on the road and counts winning the GC for the Charlevoix Stage Race in 2011 as a highlight. This is Michelle’s third season with the team.
• Sara Byers: with a wide range of experience including winning the Elite Ontario Cup Road Series in 2011, Sara brings a real passion for the bike to the team.
• Julie Lafreniere: returning to the team for her second season, Julie is another all-round rider who has shown her strength in road racing and on the cyclocross bike.
• Evelyne Gagnon: Evelyne is new to the team for 2012 and is looking to learn from the experience of her team mates and race as much as she can.

It should be noted that these women are balancing their passion for bike racing with the demands of careers, school studies and family commitments. The team is very pleased to be supported by: Stevens Bikes, The Cyclery, Rudy Project, Giro, and Continental.

Look for the team to be out on their new 2012 Stevens Bikes in in races through-out Ontario, Quebec and the Northern United States. 

To learn more about the team, feel free to contact Vince Caceres owner of The Cyclery at 613-730-2856.

athlete profile: Sue Schlatter

click for bigger. Sue on the top podium at Killington.This is the first in a new column at ottawabikes - the athlete profile. Set up to highlight and celebrate riders from the region who achieve success in this sport that we love. Our first profile? Sue Schlatter, member of Steven's Racing! Fresh off of a win June 19th at the Whiteface Mountain Uphill Bike Race where she crushed the next nearest competitor by 50 seconds.

Thanks Sue for answering our questions!

Question: You've been having a good year so far with a fantastic ride at the Chrono Gatineau TT, where you finished 5th among an international-calibre field, as well as your recent win at the Killington stage race. Can you tell us a bit about the TT and your year in general?

A: That was based on a winter of lunchtime TT intensity rides. My coach of 4 years, Kevin Wilson (Peak Centre for Human Performance), knows how to get the most out of very little time.  I included weights twice a week—mostly thanks to the camaraderie and inspiration of some of the members of Canada's Sledge Hockey team who were heading to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games who were also training at the Peak Centre. (If you ever get a chance to watch a sledge hockey game...very cool!)

Click to read more ...

ottawans in Canadian Cycling Magazine

click for biggerWe picked up the most recent June/July 2010 edition of Canadian Cycling Magazine and were pleased to find several local Ottawa folks writing for, or featured in the magazine.

Vicki Thomas contributes several excellent articles, as well as a photo of Rob Parniak at Crank the Shield, an article about Trek-Livestrong DS Kevin Field, and a feature discussing women's racing in Canada showing Stevens Racing members Sophie Matte, Trish Spooner, and Sue Schlatter. 

Great new magazine about Canadian cycling. Be sure to check it out. 

Click to read more ...

this just in! Sue Schlatter WINS Killington Stage Race

Sue Schlatter (Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery) wins 2 stages and takes the overall GC at the Killington Stage Race this past weekend. 

Sue rode a conservative stage 1, finishing 42nd at the tail end of the peloton. Stage 2 though was a totally different story: Sue took top spot in the individual 11.02 mile time trial. Sue then then followed that up the next day with another stage win, finishing 51 seconds ahead atop the hilltop finish in the road race to take top spot overall.  Way to go Sue!

Congratulations go out to the other Ottawa/Canadian riders and for strong rides and finishes by all Stevens Racing p/b The Cyclery riders: Michelle, Rachel, Leigh and Mel.

Loads of Ottawa women did well there too with 7th Groove/RE:FORM Body Clinic's Jennifer Stephenson and Ride with Rendall's Cynthia Wilson finishing in the top six.