Are we as Canadians our own worst enemy sometimes? It's not a new theme - this has been talked to death before in culture, arts and sports. As a nation, we've never been the most patriotic - our biggest unifying maxim of late comes from a beer commerical that defines us not as something (Canadian) but as NOT something (American.)

(We don't have time to analyze the dollar parity right now; that's a whole other topic.)

So what about this past weekend's world championships? No medals. Of course, each race only has, well … three medals, so there's a whole lotta other countries that went home empty too. I was impressed with a few rides - notably Wrubelski's top-ten, and Meier's U23 RR. For Wrubleski, it was a decent result after a notably sub-par season, compared to her breakout 2006. Alex was right there in the finale - a bike length more, and we'd be talking about a medal.

Christian Meier had a great ride in the road race as well. After a strong Tour de l'Avenir where he was top-10 most of the stage race before having to retire on the last stage due to nagging knee pain from a crash. In the road race, Meier was in a potentially winning move of three that was ultimately caught in the final laps. I was pretty stoked for the guy, although I kept wondering what would happen if the Norco-sponsored rider won on a borrowed Specialized. Yikes.

It was fairly well-known that Svein Tuft came to the road worlds very tired, but still was obligated to do his best for his nation. After a long year of defending his UCI America Tour jersey, and winning it - a first for any North American - he rode on fumes and eventually quit the race. Dom Rollin, one of the most talented riders in Canada, also DNF'ed, as did Cam Evans, our current national road champ. It's the road worlds - one of the toughest one days of the season.

Although Kris Westwood is a close and old friend of mine, I was slightly miffed at the way he wrote up the day for the CCA. Obviously, the CCA also signed off on Kris's report, so at the end of the day I guess my criticism would be aimed at them. Comparing the Canadian trio to Junior hockey players racing against NHLers seems hardly fair. Dom Rollin is reportedly being scouted by a few ProTour teams. Dom is a super-talented rider who handily took last year's road nationals over Tuft.

Svein Tuft has had offers from ProTour teams but refused them, in order to keep riding with his Canadian Symmetrics squad. Cam Evans, one of Canada's shining stars - remember, our most winningest rider, Gord Fraser only just beat him at the 2004 Nationals when Cam was still an espoir - is of the same pedigree. Here's a rider who almost quit after he was run over by a car in Australia and fought hard for a full year before he could even ride again.

This year Canada has come a long way - last year the men were ranked 8th amongst the UCI America nations. In 2006, the nation got 431 points in total and with that one spot at the 2006 Worlds road race. This year, the country has jumped to 3rd with a total of 977 points. That means one more spot for the Olympics for the men.

After I read the CCA report, it sounded more like "well, the guys all sucked but we knew it was going to happen, so who really cares?" Is that what we think of our elite men's road race team? The men's elite road race has always been the pinnacle of the sport, and to read that sort of language is definitely disappointing.

I just hope I'm not the only one that hasn't given up on the elite men. We've been spoiled with amazing rides by the elite women - Bessette, Jeanson (yeah, yeah), Palmer-Komar, Samplonius, (and Sydor, Premont on the dirt), and had some pretty phenomenonal U23 rides (who remembers Barry getting 8th? I do.) Do we really think that Michael's fantastic 7th at Hamilton (in the break, no less!) was a one-time deal? Sure, Steve Bauer is long since retired, but doesn't our current crop of riders deserve a bit more respect? I am….Canadian?

Reprinted with permission from www.canadiancyclist.com

What a year it’s been!

You know, even though I’ve only seen the boys race at a handful of
occasions, I still feel like I’ve been there in spirit most of the time. It
could be the relentless phone calls to my BFFs Andrew Randell and Andrew
Pinfold, I guess. It could also me making the Cunningham house my second
home several times this year.

But man, how about 2007? I’ve never been so excited to be a spectator as when
ol’ Dwayne won the US Open Champs. It’s hard sometimes, as a former racer,
to be a true spectator, getting the same energy as someone who never has.
But man, when I saw the Bearded Wonder ride away on the final cobbled climb
I couldn’t help but sound a muffled scream. Kevin was upstairs watching on
his TV, I was in his living room.

(Yes Pinner, I was excited to see you get fifth too. I admit it.)

I think I really am a closet case fan. I was flying back from New York City
the day of the National Championships, and I actually found an internet cafe
in the airport, sat down, paid the 9.99 and watched the live coverage on
CanadianCyclist.com. I kept hitting refresh over and over, waiting for some
indication of what would happen next as Randell and Cam Evans tagteamed the
break. Part of me was thinking, “Oh man, they can’t screw this up. They
can’t lose this. Come on. Win dammit. Win.” The other part was just pissed
off that I had to pay 10 bucks for ‘net.

I did a few spring series races this year, and once again I found myself to
be the closetcase fan. Riding at the back of the pack, suffering to finish
in the A group, but amazed at how far these guys have come.

I remember having first met Kevin in 2004, through Pinner. The team has
really changed. Back then the focus was more on BC and Canadian races. I
don’t think Kevin or Mark would have thought for a second we’d be talking
about Svein winning the UCI America Tour. Or the dominance the team has
shown in North and South America. Everyone has grown on the team—grown
stronger, more confident. As a family, the children have become adults.

Even surly Christian has become a happy espoir. Things change. And here I
am, finally coming out of the closet: I am a fan of the team, and proud of
these chumps.

Go S-Team Go.