June 12/98 6:07 am - Montreal Preview

Posted by Editor on 06/12/98
 

Montreal World Cup

Well, it is raining in Montreal on the eve of the Women‚s World Cup race. Hopefully it will clear up in time for tomorrow‚s race up and around Mont Royal. The race begins at 12:30, with the official introduction of the riders starting at about noon. The 8.8 kilometre circuit will be covered 10 times, and already Jeannie Longo is calling it „tres formidable, tres difficile‰. The French Olympic champion has to be considered one of the favourites on this climbers course.

However, she will face stiff competition from a number of other members of the 100-strong field of riders. Canada‚s top choices are Linda Jackson (Saeco-Cannondale) and Leigh Hobson (Quebec Tour Air Transat). Clara Hughes is absent, nursing an achilles injury. Among others to watch will be World Cup leader Dede Demet of Team Saturn, Zulfia Zabirova (Accudue Lorena Camicie) ˆ the Atlanta time trial gold medallist ˆ and the Lithuanian Polikeviciute sisters (Rasa and Jolanta).

We will be providing updates during the race, plus complete results and photos after.