Team Specialized Carrefour Multisports Press Conference
The management and sponsors of the Specialized Carrefour Multisports (SCM) women’s team introduced their 2008 team roster this afternoon, talked about plans for the season, their commitment to cycling, and why they are supporting a women’s team.
The setting was the Carrefour Multisports building in Laval. At the head table were Audrey Lemieux (team captain), Clara Hughes (team member and former Olympic medalist), Gerard Pennaroya (CSM co-president), Mickael Des Ilets (CSM co-president), and David Dulude (coach). Marc Wayne Addison (consultant) served as the Master of Ceremonies for the press conference because the team’s Communications Director, Chantal Crevier (Addison’s wife) was at home nursing a newborn baby.
Hughes spoke first, beginning in French and then switching to English, as she explained how she started cycling competitively at age 18 and that it took six years of hard work before she finally earned an Olympic bronze medal in cycling at the 1996 Atlanta Games (she later won Olympic gold in speed skating in 2006). Hughes said she was really excited to be riding with CSM and looked forward to working with, and encouraging, younger cyclists.
Team co-president, Gerard Pennaroya, explained how CSM is twinned this year with French-based GSD Gestion, one of the top women’s teams in France. He hopes that CSM riders will get a chance to do a few stages in France later this season. Team member, Joelle Numainville – who could not attend the press conference because of a conflict with one of her final exams at university – also rides with GSD.
Specialized is happy to be sponsoring the team commented Specialized marketing manager, Dave Pecuch. He underlined how important it is to encourage women’s cycling and that his company is at the forefront of providing `Designed for Women` equipment such as bikes, gloves, and helmets.
Hughes told us about a recent team ride, after meeting up at Pennaroya`s restaurant last Saturday, the group headed down by the river and then they headed downtown for the fateful Montreal Canadiens vs. Philadelphia Flyers hockey game. The Flyers won knocking Montreal out of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Team coach, David Dulude, told Pedal that it’s very different working with a women’s team, noting there are fewer ego issues to deal with and that women riders are more receptive to new ideas.
Coming up next on the team’s racing calendar is the Granby GP this Saturday, May 10. Also looming on the calendar ahead is the June 2-5 Tour du Grand Montreal and the June 8-12 Tour de PEI. Team captain, Audrey Lemieux, said that she is looking forward to a good summer of racing.
**Please note that I am acting as a mentor to the team, not returning to the sport of cycling as an athlete (though I may do a few races to help out the girls, just for fun!!)
