(Montreal) It didn’t take long to see the impact of the new Bromont velodrome transform into concrete results on the international scene. Last week, Justin Roy was part of Canada’s bronze medal quartet in the team pursuit at the Junior World Track Championships in Cali, Colombia.
“No velodrome in Bromont, would you have just continued to ride in road races? “We ask him from the outset in an interview with Sportcom.
” Probably yes ! laughs the 18-year-old athlete between two classes, when he was in the middle of the start of the school year at Cégep régional Champlain, in Saint-Lambert, where he is studying commerce.
“And that’s why we’re really lucky to have this infrastructure,” he continues. Now those opportunities aren’t just for Ontarians (who have access to the Milton Velodrome). […] The first track competition I did was the 2022 Canadian Championships. And after the construction of the Bromont velodrome, I’m doing a lot more. »
In the final for the bronze of the world juniors, the athlete from Carignan rode with Albertan Kaden Colling and Ontarians Charles Bergeron and Ethan Powell. The latter had a superb stay, as he was also crowned world champion in the points race. Albert Taylor was also on the podium, having taken part in the first lap race where the country’s representatives set a new national junior mark of 4:1.55.
A bold strategy
COURTESY PHOTO
Justin Roy, right, with his World Juniors teammates
Junior athletes dared in this final for bronze. Two hours before the race, they contacted Mathias Guillemette, a member of the senior national team, for his advice. Guillemette suggested that they not divide their effort into four equal parts, but rather channel it in another way, in order to maximize everyone’s qualities.
Daring is good, except that with only one medal at stake, the Canadian quartet could have finished the race excluded from the podium.
“It was a risk, but it worked very well. Our plan was to put a rider in front who was accelerating, explains Roy. Afterwards, I would go in front to drive four and a half laps and then I would hunker down so that the others could finish the job. I’m a bit bigger than the others, so when I’m up front they can rest more since I’m blocking more wind. »
However, the team absolutely had to finish at three, because it is the time of the latter that counts in the standings. Roy followed the plan to the letter and positioned his team in the lead with a lead of almost 1 second. The Swiss went to three soon after.
“Yes, this bronze medal is a surprise, except that we knew we could perform well. But to say that we would have a bronze medal, maybe not. We were ideally aiming for a top-5. We were all surprised and it shows over time,” added the Quebecer who also ranked 19e individual pursuit and 21e per kilo.
According to him, it was the camaraderie within the team that allowed them to be daring and motivated. “Everyone was there 100% and had this desire to perform as a group. »
The one who is coached by Pascal Choquette will move into the senior ranks next year. For now, he wants to continue the balance between his training at the Sylvan-Adams velodrome and the roads of Montérégie.
Beyond the track, the repercussions could also be elsewhere. Track endurance events have always been a breeding ground for professional road teams. The winners of the Tour de France Geraint Thomas and Bradley Wiggins have notably passed through this school.
Closer to home, Canadian Derek Gee made the road transition to Israel – Premier Tech. The man who helped the Canadian pursuit finish fifth at the Tokyo Olympics turned many heads at the last Giro. The Ottawan took part in several breakaways, which earned him the Super combatif du Tour award.
With access to a velodrome worthy of the name, this beginning of a new era is not about to stop for Quebec cyclists.
