Tour to be staged in Beauce

Tour de Beauce organizing committee president Denis Levesque has announced that the Tim Hortons Road National Championships will be held in Beauce, Quebec for the next two years.

Canada's premiere road cycling event will be hosted by the Beauce region from July 5 to 11, 2007, and will again return in 2008.

"I am pleased to act as honorary chairman for an event of this calibre, which will have a major economic impact on our beautiful region," said Maxime Bernier, federal deputy for Beauce and Minister of Industry. "To host such a prestigious event is an honour for the people of Beauce and we all wish the athletes and organizers the best of luck."

Past champions who are expected in Beauce include Stéphane Côté and Pierre-Olivier Boily, Mark Breton, Karol-Ann Canuel, Mark Hinnen, David Veilleux, Alexandra Wrubleski, Dominique Rollin, Svein Tuft and Eric Smith.

"Knowing the expertise of the Tour de Beauce organizing committee, I am certain that we will witness an event of the highest calibre," said Canadian Cycling Association president Dr. Pierre Blanchard.

The elite competitions will begin on Monday, July 9 with the time trial, followed by the U23 men's and elite women's road race on Tuesday. The event will close with the elite men's road race on Wednesday July 11.