...THAT the image of cycling is one of health and vitality and cities that are involved in world class cycling events have reported significant tangible revenue and image enhancement from their involvement.

...THAT this will be the 1st time the Road World Championships has been hosted in Ontario, Canada, since the inaugural World Championships in 1927 (Nurburgring, Germany). Since that time, there have been 69 Road World Championships held since that time. The last time the Championships were in Canada, the year was 1974 and the location was Montreal, Quebec. This is also the 3rd time the National Championships has taken place on Hamilton soil.

...THAT the sport of cycling has the 2nd largest number of participants in the world. In Canada alone:

33,000 registered members (CCA & local clubs)

62% of member are between 26-49 year old

19% of members have a household income of over $70,000+

44% of members have a university education

42% of members' occupations are classified as professional

83% of cyclists are male

64% of licensed riders cycle an average of 4+ times per week

There are approximately 18 million active cyclists in Canada

There are over 600 organized cycling events and 450 organized cycling clubs in Canada

Bicycle and Bicycle accessory sales in Canada exceeded $575,000,000 wholesale in 2001

Cycling ranks in the top 10 as most popular recreational activity in all age groups among Canadians, ranking 2nd for ages 12-19 and 4th for ages 20-44

Canadian cyclists have earned 4 silver Olympic medals, 4 bronze Olympic medals, and 11 World Championships Titles.

...THAT of the total number of Canadian cyclists competing at the Tim Hortons Road National Championships, in Hamilton (June 27 - 29), up to 4 men and 6 women cyclists will qualify for the Canadian National Team to compete at the Hamilton 2003 Road World Championships (October 6-12). The male number is contingent upon Canada's points standing, according to the UCI Standings (International Cycling Union--the International Cycling Body). Provided Canada is ranked in the top 30, Canada can send 2 male competitors to a Road World Championship competition. Since Canada is hosting the World Championships this year, 4 men can be entered. To follow Canada's points standings click here (See "Nations" rankings). The following is a breakdown of how the number of entrants is set per category:


Individual Road Races:

Elite Men: On August 15 each year, a classification of nations shall be drawn up on the basis of the points obtained in the individual classification by the 10 best riders of each nationality. No account shall be taken of nations that have less than 3 riders in the UCI classification.

Rank 1: The first 10 nations of this classification can enter 18 riders, 12 of which as starters.

Rank 2: The nations classed from 11th - 15th place in this classification can enter 14 riders, 8 of which as starters.

Rank 3: The nations classed from 16th - 20th place in this classification can enter 8 riders, 4 of which as starters.

Rank 4: The nations classed from 21st - 30th place in this classification can enter 4 riders, 2 of which as starters.

The organizing country of the World Championships is granted a higher ranking in the nations classification published on August 15th each year.

The nation which does not feature amongst the top 30 in this classification but which has a rider appearing in the top 500 in the individual classification of August 15th, can enter 2 riders, 1 of which as a starter. If such a nation has two riders or more in the first 500 in the individual classification on August 15th, it may enter 4 riders, 2 of which as starters.

Elite men
A National Federation may enter riders of 19 years of age or more in the individual Elite Men's Road race. In that case, such riders may not participate in the individual Under 23s Road race in that same year.

Under 23s
The first 25 riders of different nationalities from the World Under 23s Championships of the preceding year shall qualify their respective nation for a selection of 10 riders entered of whom 5 to ride. The next 10 riders of different nationalities shall qualify their respective nations for a selection of 8 riders entered of whom 4 to ride. Other nations shall be entitle to enter 6 riders of whom 3 to ride. Under 23 riders belonging to a TT may not participate in the Under 23 Individual Road race.

Junior Men
The first 25 riders of different nationalities from the World Junior Men's Championships of the preceding year shall qualify their respective nation for a selection of 10 riders entered of whom 5 to ride. The next 10 riders of different nationalities shall qualify their respective nations for a selection of 8 riders entered of whom 4 to ride. Other nations shall be entitle to enter 6 riders of whom 3 to ride.

Elite Women
Each National Federation shall be entitled to enter 12 competitors of whom 6 to ride.

Junior Men
Each National Federation shall be entitled to enter 8 competitors of whom 4 to ride.


Individual Time Trial Road Races:

Each National Federation may enter 4 riders of whom 2 to ride.

...THAT the athletes competing in the Tim Hortons Road National Championships are some of the best cyclists in Canada and those at the 2003 Road World Championships are the best in the world--each event showcases many of today's cycling stars. They are highly trained and race as many as 100 or more times each year. Many of their road races are 160 kilometers (100 miles) or more in length. A shorter race would not provide much challenge nor would it allow them to showcase their true potential as endurance athletes. Road races in Europe--where the sport is extremely popular--typically span some 200 to 260 kilometers (125 and 160 miles).

...THAT to compete at the Tim Hortons Road National Championships or Hamilton 2003 Road World Championships, a cyclist must be licensed through his or her National Cycling Federation. In Canada we have the CCA (Canadian Cycling Association). A license shall be required for:

1.1 A competitor (man or woman, all disciplines)

1.2 A cyclo-tourist

1.3 Motor pacer

1.4 A staff member
1. Manager
2. Team Manager
3. Coach: All provincial/ national team coaches must have followed the introductory level I commissaire's course.
4. Doctor
5. Paramedical assistant
6. Mechanic
7. Chauffeur (Driver)
8. Any other function to be specified on the license

1.5 An Official
1. Administrator (status to be specified on the license)
2. Commissaire (status to be specified on the license)
3. Timekeeper
4. Any other function to be specified on the license

1.6 An Organizer
1. Organization Administrator
2. Any other function to be specified on the license


...THAT throughout the Elite Men's Road Race at the Hamilton 2003 Road World Championships, the amount of climbing per lap is 215 meters (705 feet), which totals about 15,000 feet (4,572 m) of total elevation gain upon completing the 21-lap road race course. This is equivalent to climbing halfway up Mount Everest (29,000 ft or 8,839 m).

...THAT of the total numbers of competitors in the Road Races, only a fraction will likely complete the race. For those competitors who do not finish, they may have succumbed to any one of the following: a crash, injury, exhaustion, equipment failure, and more.

...THAT there is a very strong draft created by a pack (or peleton) of riders. The draft gets stronger as the speed gets faster. In fact riders in the draft will expend only half the energy as the riders in the front. This allows the riders behind to conserve energy which contributes to the highly tactical nature of racing. Decisions on when to make a move, how much energy to commit to it, and who will or won't help are all part of a multitude of strategies that are being constantly played out during a race.

...THAT the pace of a race varies dramatically and is heavily influenced by tactics. In a long road race the speed may drop down to 17.7 km per hour (11 miles per hour) on a steep climb (such as the Beckett Drive climb in use for each of the 3 courses in Hamilton), but rocket up to more than 100 km (60 miles) on the following descent (like the Claremont Access, in use for the Long Time Trials and Road Race courses). This is the maximum speed on many of Canada's major highways. Road races usually average 35 to 40 km per hour (22 to 26 miles per hour) and, in a criterium, between 40 and 50 km (26 and 30 miles). During a sprint, riders hit speeds of around 65 km per hour (40 miles per hour).

...THAT a 150-pound cyclist riding at a pace of 30 km/hr (20 miles per hour) for 30 minutes has the potential to burn 545 calories. Depending on the race course and number of laps to complete, a cyclist competing in either of the two cycling events in Hamilton this year (with the above requirements), could burn between 1,090 (1 hour of cycling) to 6,540 (6hrs) calories.

...THAT cyclists have been shaving their legs for more than a century. There are a number of reasons why they do it. One reason is massage. A shaven leg is less likely to get infected or irritated when a team masseur uses oils and conditioners on the riders' muscles. Another reason is crashes. A shaven leg is easier to bandage and care for should a rider fall during a race. The rider can get back on a bike and the doctor can bandage while they ride. Third is aerodynamics, a shaven leg doesn't create as much drag--myth more than fact.

...THAT a trained cyclist is highly efficient at a faster cadence. Cleats hold their feet to the pedals and let them concentrate on developing an efficient pedal stroke. It's much like the difference between struggling to lift a heavy load instead of carrying several lighter loads. Both result in moving the same amount, but a lighter load is less taxing, especially after several hours.

...THAT the riders carry most of their food and drink in jersey pockets and bottles on their bikes. They eat frequently during races of more than 80 km (50 miles). All eating is done while riding, a bite here and a bite there. In long races there are "feed zones" where riders are handed a bag of food (known as a musette) or additional bottles by team personnel when they ride past.

...THAT every rider has his or her own preferences depending upon the temperature, length and difficulty of the race. Often times a rider will carry one bottle of water and one bottle of a carbohydrate solution. As the race progresses they will take additional bottles of carbohydrate solution, protein and water in different combinations depending upon how they feel.

...THAT cycle racing is as much a strategic sport as it is a physical one. Strange alliances between rival teams may form or be terminated in a matter of minutes all without saying a word. The benefit of the draft means all riders have to work together to some extent. How much and when depends on individual team strength and how the race unfolds. The only thing that is definite about tactics is that nothing ever goes exactly as a rider expects and the person who can analyze a move the fastest and predict other riders' reactions has an advantage.

...THAT blocking is an attempt to slow a group of riders down. This is often so subtle that it's barely noticeable. A rider may go to the front of the field and appear to chase a team mate down, but instead slowly decelerate, delaying a real chase for as long as possible. Another rider may charge to the front before a corner and then go through it slower than necessary after those behind have committed to following his line. Another strategy is to refuse to help the chase efforts or throw the rhythm of the pace line off. The only thing a rider can't do is physically reach out and grab someone or make an abrupt action that might lead to a crash.