Brothers Peter and Quinton Disera left a mark on their home turf on Saturday, both winning a Canadian title in their respective age categories.
Peter, who won notably the junior time trial race at the Canadian Road Championships earlier in Lac Mégantic, Quebec and the junior title at the Canadian Cyclo-Cross Championships last fall, was without a doubt the number one rider to watch today in the men's junior race. Disera certainly delivered a spectacular performance, taking the title by over two minutes over his closest competitor, Félix Burke of Mont-Tremblant (CVM 2 Vals), and almost three minutes on third-place finisher Félix Belhumeur (Équipe du Québec-Lessard Bicycle).
"It was unexpected for the both of us. Those wins were something different for us, acknowledged Peter, who lives six kilometres from the championships venue and trains at Hardwood Ski and Bike. "This title feels awesome. The other title I won this year, the time trial, was one where I just showed up and did my best. The cyclo-cross was also one that I was gunning for, and it went well. This one today, I was training hard for, and knew the competition would be there, and that I had to go."
Peter Disera extends the streak to four of Ontario wins in the junior men's category. In the last four editions of the event, an Ontario rider won the junior men category.
Younger brother Quinton, at his first year cadet and first appearance at Canadian Cross Country Championships, also demonstrated his skills by winning the race by 2:23 over Tyler Orschel (Team Ontario-Trek Store) in second place. Cédrik Cantin (Équipe VESR) finished in third place to complete the podium.
"It feels pretty awesome to wear this jersey. All the hard work that we put into it just paid off today, and I am looking forward to the next races this season. I'd be interested in racing in the junior races next year," added Quinton.
"There are many people that my brother and I have to thank, including my parents who have trucked us to all these races and paid for all this jazz. Team Ontario have been a great help, as well as both of our coaches and neighbour in the community," continued Peter.
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In the women's junior race, Rachel Pageau (Équipe du Québec-Devinci) took the opportunity left by the departure of two-time defending champion Frédérique Trudel to the espoirs category, and rode away to win her first Canadian Championships jersey. Pageau spent some this year in Europe, racing the UCI World Cup in Val di Sole, Italy representing the Canadian National Team. Haley Golding (Team Ontario-CSAJCC p/b Norco) took the second place of the women's junior race, followed by Gabrielle April (Rocky Mountain Bicycle/Procycle) in third place.
After Kristina Laforge junior women victory in 2010, and Frédérique Trudel's two-year stretch winning the junior women race, Pageau continues Québec strong performances in the women's junior category, taking the fourth consecutive title by a Quebec rider.
In the women's cadet category, Soren Meeuwisse of Barrie, Ontario, and daughter of race organizer Glenn Meeuwisse, rode the very familiar course with ease, and took the title with a lead of over two minutes on Liah Harvey of Banff, Alberta. Arianne Lewis of St-Sauveur, Quebec ended her day on the mountain in third position.
