Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria will have help at the 2012 UCI world cycling championships in the Netherlands. That's something he decidedly didn't have earlier this summer in having to fend for himself as the lone Canadian in the men's road race at the London Olympics.
"In contrast to the Olympics, we have four starters, so that will be a much better situation," Hesjedal said Thursday.
"We have a strong team heading to Holland."
It includes Hesjedal, Svein Tuft of Langley, Francois Parisien of Repentigny, Que., and David Veilleux of Cap Rouge, Que., for the men's road race Sept. 23 and team time-trial Sunday.
Tuft will also contest the individual time trial.
"I am really looking forward to representing sa国际传媒 at the world championships," added Hesjedal, the 2012 Giro d'Italia champion.
"My training has been going well building towards this next goal. The area and course suits me well because it is similar to the Amstel Gold [Dutch one-day race in which Hesjedal has historically raced well], so I am hopeful for a strong showing."
Nigel Ellsay of Courtenay will also be at the road worlds in Holland representing sa国际传媒 in the junior men's road race and time trial.
Meanwhile, 2012 London Olympics team pursuit bronze-medallist Gillian Carleton of Victoria won the women's points race Thursday at the Canadian track cycling championships in Dieppe, New Brunswick.
"To be honest, I haven't been on the track since coming back from London, so [this] was my first time feeling that speed, and pushing a big gear, so it was a little shock to the system," said the rapidly-rising Islander, in a release.
"It's nice to get the track legs back," added the former road racer, who only took up track cycling last summer at the Juan de Fuca velodrome to rehab after being hit by a car while training on the road.
"I haven't done anything this intense in one month [since London]."
