Montreal World Cup survives - just

By published

Canadian Press reported last Friday that this year's edition of the Montréal World Cup was in danger...

Canadian Press reported last Friday that this year's edition of the Montréal World Cup was in danger of being cancelled until a cash injection from two levels of local government came up with an extra $200,000 Canadian dollars to keep the race alive.

In addition to its usual $40,000 contribution, Montréal's municipal government chipped in an extra $100,000, with the Québec government also donating $100,000.

"It would have been sad if it wasn't held," said local hero Lyne Bessette, who raced alongside countrywoman and now four-time winner Genevieve Jeanson [2001, 2003-05] in yesterday's race. Bessette finished 18th, a minute behind Jeanson.

The 2005 edition of the Montréal World Cup was the eighth edition of the race, and the round seven of the 11-race series. It is also the only women's World Cup held in North America. The four-day Le Tour du Grand Montréal stage race follows, starting Monday, May 30, with Nurnberger's Judith Arndt back as defending champion.