(January 31, 2011 – Baie-Comeau, QC) The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA), in collaboration with the Fédération Québécoise des Sports Cyclistes (FQSC), is pleased to announce that Canada has been awarded the 2013 UCI Para-cycling World Championships, which will be held in Baie-Comeau, QC from Thursday August 22 to Sunday August 25, 2013.

Baie-Comeau, QC, successfully organized the 2010 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships this past summer, and will continue to host para-cycling events throughout the next years, hosting notably the 2011 UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup Finals.

“The 2010 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Baie-Comeau, QC were a huge success, and became the reference for the next UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships,” said Louis Barbeau, President of the UCI para-cycling commission. “There is no doubt that 2013 will raise the bar, whether it is from athlete performances, number of competing athletes, number of competing nations, quality of event and increased media coverage.”

“We are extremely pleased to have been granted this opportunity to host such an important event. Paramanic International, led by François Gariepy, has done an excellent job in delivering the 2010 Para-cycling Road World Championships, and we are confident that the 2013 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships will be a success across the line,” said Mathieu Boucher, director of development at the CCA.

Arnaud Litou, program coordinator for para-cycling at the CCA, sees great benefits to having the event in Canada. “Hosting this event will be significant for the development of our Canadian para-cycling program, both domestically and internationally. Our athletes will have better competition opportunities, and this closer to home.”

Directed by François Gariépy, Paramanic International will once again lead the organization of the event. Last year, over 7000 residents gathered on the weekend to the downtown core and all the way across the course to support the athletes in their races.

“It’s an exceptional opportunity awarded to Baie-Comeau and the region to shine, as never in the history of sport two World championships are given to one city within such a short time lapse,” said Francois Gariépy, President of the organizing committee. “A love story was born last year between the citizens of the region and the athletes. The UCI was extremely pleased with the results of the 2010 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships and were thrilled to see our application for the 2013 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships.”

Held annually, the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships are considered the biggest para-cycling event in the world outside the Paralympic Games.

The Canadian Cycling Association is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada. Founded in 1882, the CCA aims to create and sustain an effective system that develops talented Canadian cyclists to achieve Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship medal performances.

With the vision to be a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020 celebrating enhanced international success, increased a participation and world class event hosting, the CCA manages the National teams, hosts national and international events, and administers community programs to promote Cycling in Canada. For more information, please visit: www.canadian-cycling.com.

.:: Canadian Cycling Association ::.

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