MONTREAL, December 1, 2008- Members of the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) elected race organizer, Daniel Manibal, as a member of the board of the CCA yesterday during the final day of the CCA’s Annual General Meeting. For the next two years, Manibal will proudly share his experience in cycling, sport, and business with all members of the national federation. “To be elected a member of the Canadian Cycling Association board is truly a great honour. The support of the provincial federations is a great reward for the work and effort put forth over the past 13 years for the benefit of the sport”.

Bill Kinash, Michael Sarnecki, Aron Hershoff, John Tolkamp  (elected President of the Board), Sue Palmer-Komar, Chantal Lachance and Pierre Blanchard (Past President) form the remainder of the Board.

In 2009, Daniel Manibal will organize three events on the International Calendar: The Montreal Women’s World Cup and Tour du Grand Montréal (Québec) as well as Tour de PEI (Prince Edward Island).

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For More Information:
Jacinthe Lemire
Cell. 514-947-5657
Cell. 902-388-1472
jlemire@cycling-events.com
www.world-cup-cycling.org
www.tourdepei.com

Charlottetown, June 12, 2008- Menikini-Selle Italia-Masters Color's Kori Seehafer won the second edition of the Tour de PEI, capping off a brilliant performance from the squad. The 33 year-old American maintained her 24 second lead over teammate Nathalie Bates and a 2 minute 24 second lead over teammate Trine Schmidt.

The final stage, a fifty lap criterium around the Confederation Centre of the Arts in downtown Charlottetown, was won by Australian Rochelle Gilmore (Menikini-Selle Italia- Masters Color). Gilmore was followed closely by Cuban Dalila Gonzalez in second, and Luxembourg's Nathalie Lamborelle (UNIQA) in third.

Gilmore was also the winner of the sprinter jersey in the general classification. Gilmore's compatriot and teammate,  Bates, held on to the Queen of the Mountain jersey based on points received in the previous two stages. Merrill Collins (Team Ontario) was awarded the Best Canadian jersey.

An energetic crowd coming from all over the Island and surrounding areas cheered on the 76 athletes as they raced around the one kilometre circuit on the fifth and final stage. Michel Le Chasseur (General Manager of the Confederation Bridge) and Daniel Manibal (organizer of Tour de PEI, the Montreal Women's World Cup Cycling and Tour du Grand Montreal) were extremely satisfied with the tremendous work that was done.

"My hat is off to all the volunteers, sponsors and employees involved in this organisation," said Michel Le Chasseur.

"The welcoming of the population was incredible, the scenery was unbelievable and the athletes were thrilled by the quality of this event," added Manibal.

Kori Kelley Seehafer holds on to the yellow jersey

Stratford, June 11, 2008 – Cuban, Dalila Rodriguez, has won Stage 4 of the Tour de PEI, a circuit which began in Dalvay, passed through Montague, and finished in Stratford. Rochelle Gilmore (Menikini – Selle Italia – Masters Color) arrived in second position, followed by German Tanja Hennes (Specialized Design for Women) in third.

A pair of Quebec athletes, Geneviève Gauthier (Atlantic Cycling Centre) and Julie Bellerose (Équipe Cascades) broke away from the pack early in the race, maintaining the lead for 85 km. Despite their continued efforts, the peloton caught up approximately 18 km from the finish line.

The ‘Menikini Trio’, comprised of Kelley Seehafer wearing the yellow jersey, Nathalie Bates in second position at 16 seconds, and the young Trine Schmidt of Denmark in third place at 2 minutes 24 seconds, continue to dominate in the general classification. Merrill Collins (Team Ontario) holds onto the best Canadian jersey and is currently in seventh position. Rochelle Gilmore (Menikini-Selle Italia-Masters Color) and Nathalie Bates (Menikini-Selle Italia-Masters Color) continue to wear the best sprinter and best climber jerseys respectively.

Tour de PEI, a five-stage race presented by Scotiabank, runs from June 8-12, 2008. The final stage, a spectacular Criterium around the Confederation Centre of the Arts, will be held tomorrow in Charlottetown. Results will be posted at www.tourdepei.com following the race.

Borden-Carleton, June 9, 2008- American cyclist Kori Kelley Seehafer (Menikini-Selle Italia-Masters Color) wears the yellow jersey after today's race across the Confederation Bridge. An elated Seehafer celebrated with one hundred local students who came out to show their support for the athletes.

A talented junior athlete, Denise Ramsen (Team Ontario), earned the jersey for Top Canadian. Rochelle Gilmore holds onto the sprint jersey.

Today’s 14.5 km time trial, which took place on the Confederation Bridge - the world’s longest bridge over ice covered waters linking Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick - is an experience the athletes won’t soon forget.

The Tour de PEI, presented by Scotiabank, is a five stage International women’s cycling event which runs from June 8-12, 2008. Stage 3 will see the women racing 120.2 km through the hills of PEI from Kensington to North Rustico.

CHARLOTTETOWN, May 6, 2008 – Prince Edward Island’s seaside villages and idyllic countryside will be transformed into Canada’s most exciting new cycling destination with the return of Tour de PEI from June 8-12.

The inaugural race was named Road Event Organizer of the Year by the Canadian Cycling Association in 2007. The event is now attracting a growing amount of interest from athletes around the world.

One hundred female cyclists are expected to participate in the five-day, five-stage race. The new route highlights the Island’s scenic countryside and coastline for thousands of spectators and 600,000 television viewers who are expected to tune into a feature presentation of the race. Media coverage reached one million households during last year’s event.

“Tour de PEI is a perfect fit for Prince Edward Island because it showcases before the world everything the province has to offer,” said the Honourable Valerie Docherty, Minister of Tourism and Honourary President of Tour de PEI. “This event is more than a bike race as it presents Prince Edward Island to the world.”
The participating athletes will cross scenic but challenging terrain covering a total of 403 kilometres, including a 120 kilometre-long race across the hilliest regions in central PEI.

A highlight of the race will take place on Monday, June 9, when cyclists will race in a time trial across the 12.9-kilometre-long Confederation Bridge. The bridge will be closed between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on that day.

“The Government of Canada continues to work with its partners to build a strong and sustainable tourism industry here in Atlantic Canada,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).  “Investment in this world-class event has a direct impact on the local economy, while spotlighting the beauty and hospitality of Prince Edward Island internationally.”
Scotiabank is again helping make Tour de PEI possible in 2008.

“Scotiabank is proud to join forces, once again this year, with the World Cup Cycling Organization and Confederation Bridge, to bring this world class event to this great country,” said John Oliver, Senior Vice-President Atlantic Region, Scotiabank. "Tour de PEI will help put a greater emphasis on athletics in the lives of women and will bring athletes from coast to coast and around the world right here, to Prince Edward Island."

The event’s organizer, Daniel Manibal, said he continues to receive excellent feedback from athletes and coaches after last year’s race. “People are talking about it. The first event was so successful that this year, cyclists are calling us to say they want to participate,” Manibal said. “It shows us that Prince Edward Island is now on the world cycling map and Tour de PEI is now one of Canada’s top events.”

Two special events are planned on the final day of the race, Thrusday, June 12. Children who pre-register will have the opportunity to race on the professional route in front of thousands of spectators. After the final awards ceremony at 7 p.m., the Confederation Bridge Concert Series will begin with a free concert featuring New Brunswick’s Chris Colepaugh and the Cosmic Crew and PEI’s Tim Chaisson. The free concert will take place on the steps of the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Tour de PEI is made possible in-part through funding from ACOA, Tourism PEI, Scotiabank, Confederation Bridge and many others.

For more information, visit our website at www.tourdepei.com.

BROADCAST USE:

World-class cycling is returning to Prince Edward Island with Tour de PEI from June 8-12. Organizers reported excellent feedback last year from the cyclists. One hundred riders have signed up to participate this year.  The cyclists will be covering more than 400 kilometres of PEI’s countryside and coastline while TV crews film the whole race. Tour de PEI includes a time trial one-way across the Confederation Bridge on Monday, June 9. The bridge will be closed between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on that day.

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INFORMATION:

Charlottetown      
Michel Le Chasseur                              
(902) 367-3679                               
info@tourdepei.com  

Montreal
Jacinthe Lemire
(450) 471-8214
jlemire@cycling-events.com

CHARLOTTETOWN, February 8, 2008 – The Tour de PEI organizing committee is gearing up for the return of world-class cycling across Prince Edward Island.

Tour de PEI, presented by Scotiabank, showcases the lush, rolling countryside of Prince Edward Island as a premiere cycling destination loved by elite riders and tourists alike. Last year’s inaugural event won the praise of the Canadian Cycling Association, which recently named it the 2007 Road Event Organizer of the Year, over every other major cycling event in Canada. Part of the proceeds of Tour de PEI will be used to support the Prince County and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundations.

International media and the participating cyclists gave last year’s event rave reviews.  Once again, organizers are receiving requests from Olympic-caliber cyclists around the world who are vying for a spot in the race.  About 100 elite cyclists are expected to compete in Tour 2008, in anticipation of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in August.

The second Tour de PEI is scheduled for June 8-12, 2008. There will be five stages, which are also outlined on maps attached to each press package:

Stage 1: Summerside, Sunday, June 8 – Summerside will once again be in the international spotlight as Tour 2008 kicks off, with cyclists following the same route as 2007. The city can expect to host plenty of spectators for Tour’s only weekend date.  In addition, cycling enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that an amateur race will be held on the Summerside circuit prior to the main event.

Stage 2: Confederation Bridge, Monday, June 9– Cyclists will race one way on a time-trial across the 12.9 kilometre-long Confederation Bridge, starting in New Brunswick, crossing the Northumberland Strait, and concluding in Prince Edward Island.

Stage 3: Kensington to Rustico, Tuesday, June 10 – Organizers listened to the suggestions of last year’s cyclists and completely re-designed this stage to be much more challenging, crossing almost every major hill and valley in central Prince Edward Island. The stage will begin in Kensington and continue on Route 20 through Parks Corner, along Route 2 through Freetown, Kinkora, and North York, before concluding in Rustico.

Stage 4: Dalvay to Stratford, Wednesday, June 11 – This scenic route will once again leave the beautiful National Park and showcase more of Kings County and its challenging hills. The event will provide excellent photo opportunities when cyclists cross the Town of Montague’s new bridge.

Stage 5: Charlottetown, Thursday, June 12 – Once again, this criterium race will showcase historic  downtown Charlottetown and thrill thousands of spectators in this grand finale event.

Tour de PEI 2008 will also include interactive events for children, spectators, and cycling enthusiasts allowing Islanders to mingle with some of the world’s top female racers. Event times for many of the stages will be changed to better accommodate morning traffic and school buses. Details will be announced at a later date.

Athlete profiles, detailed schedules and regularly updated information can be found online at tourdepei.com.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Charlottetown      
Stefanie Arduini    
(902) 394-5434      
stefaniea@scbl.net 

Montreal
Jacinthe Lemire
(450) 471-8214
jlemire@cyclingevents.com

CHARLOTTETOWN, JANUARY 18, 2008 -- Prince Edward Island’s newest international cycling event has been awarded the sport’s highest honour.  

The Canadian Cycling Association granted Tour de PEI the 2007 Road Event Organizer of the Year award. The annual prize is presented to the organizers of a Canadian cycling event, for outstanding coordination and exposure for the sport.  The award was granted to Tour de PEI for its inaugural year. 

The event’s lead organizer, Daniel Manibal, is a veteran events planner who has successfully organized large scale international cycling competitions for more than a decade. “ I’m honoured to receive this prestigious award,” said Manibal.  “Islanders welcomed our event, and all of the volunteers worked very hard to make it shine on the global stage.  In just one year, Tour de PEI has already become known as an event that is not to be missed by élite women cyclists.”  

Manibal shares this success with Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager of the Confederation Bridge. “Daniel introduced me to the excitement of world cycling competitions, and I returned the favour by introducing him to Prince Edward Island,” said Le Chasseur.  “The Confederation Bridge initiated this venture, but the award belongs to everyone on PEI who helped make it successful.” 

Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, the president of Conference and Events Management Inc. and her staff were responsible for the overall logistics of the event. “Tour de PEI was a mammoth undertaking and could not have happened without the many sponsors, volunteers, RCMP and the PEI Department of Transportation and Public Works,” said Jenkins-Smith. 

PEI’s Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Valerie Docherty, was pleased to learn of the recent award, and thanks everyone who made it a success. “Prince Edward Island was very excited to host the inaugural Tour de PEI, and we look forward to doing it again this year.  The Tour de PEI is a great spectator sport, and its high profile gives added visibility to our world class cycling-tourism product here in PEI.” 

The inaugural 2007 Tour de PEI drew Olympic-caliber female cyclists from 15 countries. Cyclists competed in five stages that spanned the Island and the 12.9 kilometre long Confederation Bridge.  The event drew thousands of spectators along with media coverage that reached an estimated one million Canadian households plus another 600,000 television viewers. 

Tour de PEI is made possible in-part through funding from ACOA, Tourism PEI, ScotiaBank, Confederation Bridge and many others.   

The Organizing Committee is now planning the 2008 Tour de PEI.  Members of the media will be invited to learn details of the event at an upcoming press announcement to be held in early February in Charlottetown.  Details will follow and will be posted on the event website tourdepei.com. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Charlottetown
Stefanie Arduini
(902) 394-5434
stefaniea@scbl.net 

Montreal
Jacinthe Lemire
(450) 471-8214
jlemire@cycling-events.com

Diana Ziliute wins the second stage of the Tour de PEI and grabs the yellow jersey

Borden-Carleton, June 11, 2007 – Lithuanian cyclist Diana Ziliute (Safi Pasta Zara Manhattan) earned the yellow jersey today, after an exhausting race across the Confederation Bridge and back. Australian Olivia Gollan (Menikini-Selle Italia-Gysko) took second place, followed by Edwige Pitel (Uniqa), from France. Rochelle Gilmore (Menikini-Selle Italia-Gysko) hangs onto the jerseys for best sprint and for the overall points lead. The Confederation Bridge, which connects PEI to New Brunswick, is the world's longest bridge over water that is frozen part of the year. The time trial course was a round-trip across the bridge and back, totalling 28.8 km. It was an experience the participating athletes are unlikely to forget anytime soon. “This was the toughest time-trial I've ever done,” said an athlete belonging to the Expresscopy.com team. “The wind was awful – it was completely merciless,” said Quebecer Marie-Pier Bédard (Menikini-Selle Italia Gysko). The Tour de PEI, presented by Scotiabank, is a five-stage female cycling trial, running from June 10 to 14, 2007. The next stage takes place tomorrow at Cavendish, where the athletes will ride the 121.3 km coastal North Cape circuit.

CHARLOTTETOWN, April 24, 2007- Scotiabank announced today its commitment as presenting sponsor in Prince Edward Island's new Women's Cyclist Elite Tour, the Tour de PEI. This international cycling event is a five-stage elite women's tour held from June 10-14, 2007, and will include a time trial event on the Confederation Bridge, which links the provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

"Scotiabank is proud to join forces with the Epreuves de la Coupe du Monde Cycliste Feminine and Confederation Bridge, to bring another world class event to this great country," said John Oliver, Senior Vice-President Atlantic Region, Scotiabank. "The Tour de PEI will help put a greater emphasis on athletics in the lives of women and will bring athletes from coast to coast and around the world right here, to Prince Edward Island."

The Tour begins in Summerside, PEI, on Sunday, June 10; it continues into a time trial event across the Confederation Bridge then wheels from Cavendish to Wellington and back again on June 12. The Tour then goes on from Montague to Stratford on June 13 and concludes the next day in Charlottetown. For more information, please visit www.tourdepei.com.

"As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Confederation Bridge, hosting an international tour is an exciting way to celebrate this milestone," said Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager, Strait Crossing Bridge Limited. "Through the partnerships with Scotiabank and the association with Epreuves de la Coupe du Monde Cycliste Feminine, we are further linking two great provinces with the rest of the world."

The Tour de PEI, presented by Scotiabank, is the Island's first International Women's Cycling Event, and is organized in conjunction with Confederation Bridge by the Epreuves de la Coupe du Monde Cycliste Feminine who has been presenting a similar event in Montreal for the past nine years.

"The athletes you will see in PEI are athletes you will see at the Olympics and at the World Championship of Cycling," said Daniel Manibal, President. "Cycling is an international activity with major events all over the world. Bringing the tour de PEI to the Island is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the beauty and spirit of the province."

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2006 the Bank provided more than $42 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education and social services. Scotiabank is on the World Wide Web at www.scotiabank.com.

Attracting many of the world’s elite women cyclists to the Tour de P.E.I. was never a concern.

In fact, the inaugural event has already surpassed even what organizers had anticipated.

“We have at least 15 teams confirmed, which is over our expectancy,” said Daniel Manibal, president of the World Cup Cycling Organization.

“We expected to come up with good teams, but not as many international teams.”

The tour, sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale, runs June 10 to 14.

Entries have been received from Australia, China, Russia, Colombia and Cuba, as well as trade teams from Italy, Germany and France.

“It’s a very strong and representative international pack,” said Manibal.

Organizers are expecting upwards of 20 teams when the event, the first in a three-year agreement, begins.

The Tour de P.E.I., which added Scotiabank as its presenting sponsor Sunday, starts with a 10-lap circuit race in Summerside on Sunday, June 10.

A 28.8-kilometre time trial across the Confederation Bridge follows on June 11, The third stage is a 124-kilometre race from Cavendish to Wellington and back on June 12.

Day 4 covers a 94-kilometre stage race from Dalvay to Montague and concluding in Stratford. The tour finale is a 50-lap criterium race in downtown Charlottetown on June 14.

Manibal said the package offered to teams made the Island tour a marketable stop despite its infancy on the cycling calendar.

“Even though I have them associated with the World Cup and the Montreal tour, the package offered on the Island was so strong that for them it was a natural,” said the WCCO president.

The added incentive of available international points towards Olympic qualification also made the Tour de P.E.I. attractive.

“You’re seeing the top of the crop,” said Manibal. “Everybody is fighting for the extra point that will qualify the country a little bit higher to get an extra rider.”

The addition of Scotiabank as the presenting sponsor was a coup for the World Cup Cycling Organization, said Manibal, building on the growing list of co-operation.

“All our agreements, government and Confederation Bridge for three years, the city, the organizing committee, everybody pulled together on the long term with us.”

A free outdoor evening concert at the Confederation Centre on June 14, featuring Canadian pop-rock group and 2007 Juno Award winner Mobile will conclude the Tour de P.E.I.

By: Don Morrison
The Guardian-April 24, 2007

December 9, 2006 – On Friday, Dec. 8, at the double press conference on Montreal's St. Denis Street, Daniel Manibal, President of the Road UCI World Cup (women), featured in both. For the first conference, Manibal sat with Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager Strait Crossing Bridge Limited (the company that operates Confederation Bridge linking New Brunswick to PEI) and spoke about the new, 5-stage Tour de PEI, a UCI-sanctioned, women's event.

Also sitting at the front with Manibal was Quebec cyclist, Emilie Roy. The race will feature time trials on the Bridge and when asked by reporters why the Confederation Bridge was behind a cycling event, Le Chasseur replied that the event was likely to draw more tourists to the Island, "and after all, we do operate a toll bridge!"

After a few minutes pause between acts, another press conference followed, introducing a new women's team - Specialized-Menikini. The team combines Canadian, Australian, and French talent with Italian expertise. Sitting at the table was French cyclist Elodie Touffet (a bronze medalist at the French National Championships), Gerard Penarroya (directeur sportif), Walter Ricci Peititoni (sports manager of the Italian-based Menikini team), Daniel Manibal, and Karol-Ann Canuel (an 18-year-old rising Canadian star). Posing for a team photo afterwards were: Shanie Bergeron, Marie-Pier Bedard, Karol-Ann Canuel, Emilie Roy and Elodie Touffet. Touffet will continue to race in Europe and come to North America in 2007 for a few select events.

by: John Symon - Pedal Magazine

A traffic jam in Quebec has helped bring an international cycling event next year to Prince Edward Island.

The Tour de P.E.I., a five-stage elite women’s tour stop, sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), will be held June 10-14 and includes a time-trial segment on the Confederation Bridge.

Michel LeChasseur, general manager of the Strait Crossing Bridge Ltd., found himself stuck in traffic in Montreal and what he witnessed would eventually spark an interest to bring a similar event to the Island.

“In 2007, we are celebrating our 10th anniversary and we were looking for a product that was sustainable, something to celebrate but something to contribute to tourism on Prince Edward Island,” LeChasseur said during a news conference Wednesday in Charlottetown to announce the event.

“I came across this event in Montreal two years ago by accident. I was stuck in traffic on a Saturday morning . . . it wasn’t an accident. It was the tour performing that morning and I was just taken aback. The show of colours, the speed, I couldn’t believe the speed.”

The race remained with him and when discussion centered around the 10-year anniversary of the bridge’s opening, it resurfaced.

“That little experience came back and there it is today,” he said.

Strait Crossing Bridge Ltd., is partnering with the World Cup Cycling Organization (WCCO) to bring the event to the Island for the next three years.

The Tour de P.E.I., begins with a 12-lap circuit race in Summerside on Sunday, June 10. It will continue with a 26-kilometre time trail on June 11 on the Confederation Bridge (the bridge will be closed to traffic between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.), a 120-kilometre stage race from Cavendish on the North Cape Coastal Drive to Wellington and back on June 12 and a 120-kilometre stage race from Cavendish to Charlottetown on the Points East Coastal Drive on June 13.

It will conclude with the Charlottetown criterium, a mass-start race covering 50 laps of a one-kilometre course in the capital on June 14.

For David Manibal, president of the WCCO, the decision to bring the event to the Island had a great deal to do with province itself.

“I was completely seduced by the Island, by the people. Having lived in Ireland many, many years, I came here and I had the same feeling, it was tremendous,” said Manibal.

The made-for-television event, which will be shown on Global and RDS, is expected to attract upwards of 110 cyclists.

Agreements have already been reached to have athletes from Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Italy participate, and “we haven’t yet sent the invitations”, said Manibal.

The Canadian Cycling Association has announced five Canadian road cycling teams have sent a letter of intent to register with the UCI for next season.

The Tour de P.E.I. and Tour Montreal-Boston are new events for 2007.

“The athletes you will see on P.E.I. are athletes you will see at the Olympics, it’s the same peloton,” said Manibal.

Tourism Minister Philip Brown said the tour is a great opportunity to showcase the province with a product new to the region.

“Cycling, as we all know, is an international activity with major events all over the world, and to bring this to P.E.I. is wonderful,” he said.

And having the bridge showcased is an added plus, said the tourism minister.

“It’s going to bring the world media cycling attention to the event because it is so unique,” said Brown.

By Don Morrison
The Guardian, December 7, 2006