Courtenay's Nigel Ellsay was among the new Canadian champions crowned June 28 in Lac Mégantic, QC as the 2012 Canadian Road Cycling Championships continued with time trials for the juniors, masters and para-cyclists.
Ellsay, of the Cycling BC team, climbed the top step of the podium in the men's juniors division. Ellsay, who last year won the silver medal at these championships, crossed the finish line after the 30km race in a time of 40: 30.88.
“I have been working for the last six months. I am really happy to get it over with,” said Ellsay, who spent some valuable time in France earlier this spring. “I headed over to France in March, and spent 3.5 months in a French club team.
"Midway through, a rider dropped out and I had the privilege to go race at a Nations Cup in Germany with the national team. I gained valuable experience and finished 13th in the General Classification. It’s a good spring!” he told Cycling Canada.
“It’s a pure time trial course. I have been working really hard the last couple of months. It feels great to win the Maple Leaf Jersey. It’s a big relief, since I have been working towards this objective for the last two months. Last year, I was second and I really wanted it. This year I finally got it.”
The 2012 COLD-FX Canadian Road Championships presented by Canadian Tire continued on the weekend with the road races on Saturday and the criterium races on Sunday.