Juventus juniors Michael Verveda, Devaney Collier, and Abbey McGill had more than final exams to prepare for in June. All were selected for Alberta's team to Junior Road Nationals, and raced the road race, individual time trial (ITT), and criterium.
The race was staged in Ottawa, and made use of beautiful (hilly) Gatineau Park, QB for the ITT, and the quaint town of Aylmer, QB for the crit. Weather was typical for the area: hot and humid.
Team Alberta goes over the race plan with coach Tanya Dubnicoff.
Michael Verveda focussed and ready for the Junior Men's road race.
The road race course was a 10 km flat circuit that offered a kermess feel. The junior men raced 120 km (86 starters), while the junior women completed 8 laps for 80 km (27 starters).
All three Juventus raced well: Michael was active both on the front, and back to the follow car for supplies, and was 12th in the sprint finish; Devaney rode with the group, made the break in the last lap, and sprinted to 2nd (podium!); Abbey had the tough job of working on her own after falling off the back mid race - giving it her all to avoid being lapped.
Devaney and Abbey stay cool before the road race.
Podium success for Team Alberta and Devaney Collier!
The Junior Men's sprint finish with Michael oh so close!
Team Alberta rested for 2 days and readied for the ITT. The course was up, up, up and then down, down, down - 26 km for the junior men, and 16 km for the junior women. Although neither are the biggest climbing fans, both Devaney and Abbey had great rides against the field of 23 with Devaney in 6th, and Abbey in 13th. Michael was well prepared and gave it his all against the 74 starters in junior men. He finished in 34th.
Checking TT bike against the jig.
Aero and a fast descent.
The picturesque main street of Aylmer, Quebec was an ideal setting for the start/finish of the national criterium challenge. The course featured a technical back stretch with a long incline to the finish on the front. The junior men raced for 45 minutes + 3 laps, and the junior women 30 minutes + 3 laps.
Abbey working hard in the crit.
The junior women's race came down to a sprint finish for 3rd - 14th, and Devaney managed 4th, narrowly missing the podium. Abbey finished in 12th.
A dense Junior men's field.