Mont-Royal, mes amour!

La beauté du Mont-Royal, Montréal.

Great for a picnic &... a bike race!

Back in 1998, I lived in Montreal and took in the Women's World Cup road race on the famous Mont-Royal. It's not really a mountain but a huge hill, but the folks call it a mountain. That year Jeannie Longo finished in second under wet & rainy conditions. After that year I grew more and more interested in the race.

Last Saturday, Montreal was again the host of the 12th UCI Women's World Cup. It's the only one held in North America. A tough 12-laps of 10 kilometers totaling 110 kms. Going up the famed Mont Royal, about 2 kms and down through technical twists and turns around Jeanne-Mance park finishing on Park Avenue. It's a beautiful setting for a picnic but extremely challenging for a bike race. This year the grueling course left it's mark with close to 50 riders not finishing. Only 33 did as the race was already decided after Emma Pooley (Cervelo) stayed away after the first kilometer and soloed to victory after riding alone for 11 laps. Simply amazing!

I plan to make a much needed trip back to Montreal, sometime soon, to see this exciting race!

La courageuse Britannique.

Emma Pooley (Cervelo) alone in front for over three hours!

(above & below): www.cyclingnews.com

Le podium finale:

(l to r): Emma Johansson(2nd), Emma Pooley(1st) &

Trixi Worrack(3rd).