14 juillet 2000

Clara Hughes wins despite protest, trip off course

By Randy Starkman
Toronto Star Sports Reporter

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. - Veteran Clara Hughes looked plaintively at Genevieve Jeanson as the Canadian cycling phenom contemplated refusing to accept her silver medal yesterday.

«That's so bad,» Hughes told her.

Jeanson's name had been called on the loudspeaker, but she didn't budge from where she stood. Her father, Yves, told her to wait for her coach before making a decision.

But then the 18-year-old stepped forward on to the second tier of the podium at the National Road Championships. Hughes stood on top.

It was a drama-filled conclusion to a controversy-marred women's individual time trial as Hughes and Jeanson continue a battle for spots on the Canadian Olympic team.

Jeanson's coach, Andre Aubut, filed a protest against Hughes after a mixup on the final turn saw the double Olympic bronze medalist race the final kilometre on the wrong side of the steel barriers lining the course.

«I thought they were going to disqualify me,» said Hughes. «You expect the worst and hope for the best. I'm happy and I think Genevieve showed a lot of class by going up on the podium.»

Aubut, who has butted heads in the past with officials from the Canadian Cycling Association, thought Hughes got a significant edge and was apoplectic about the race organization. He also felt Jeanson deserved the win, which would help her bid for an Olympic berth.

«The problem for God's sake is bad organization all the bloody time,» he said. «It's incredible. I didn't want to stir (it up), but they should have never allowed that race to be held here. If I was an athlete, I might say `Excuse me, maybe I will die doing that race.»

Jeanson was tight-lipped and near tears after the awards ceremony, a stark contrast from the big smile the double junior world champion wore after completing the race.

«Even if I'm second, she's the national champion and last year she finished seventh at the world championships, 40 seconds off a gold medal,» said Jeanson. «I did my race. I couldn't go faster.»

Confusion reigned at the intersection where Hughes got into trouble. Children volunteers were acting as race marshals and police were letting traffic in with the riders.

Hughes narrowly avoided a head-on collision with another cyclist, zigzagged around a car and truck and then went off course. She said the kids manning the intersection told her to go the wrong way.

«I guess I'm lucky because I've been hit three times in my life by cars,» said the Winnipegger. «I didn't get hit. I just have to look at the bright side. But that sucked. I think I lost maybe five seconds in that last part because I was going through traffic.»

Hughes covered the 27.6-kilometre course in 38 minutes and one second - six seconds ahead of Jeanson.

Aubut contends Hughes got about a 10-second advantage because she was able to carry much more speed around the final turn - around 52 km/h compared to 20 km/h for Jeanson - because she did not have to make the same tight turn before climbing the final hill.

He also pointed out the rules state it's a rider's responsibility to know the course.

«I make sure she (Jeanson) knows where she has to go,» said Aubut. «I don't want to say anything about Clara, but as an experienced athlete she should know where she has to go.»

Pierre Gagne, chief of the race jury, said they determined that Hughes received no advantage and was not at fault. He said 10 other riders also went off course in the same fashion.

Hughes was upset Aubut made the protest.

«I think it's a joke because it's not like I cut the course. I think I've always been and really tried to be fair and honest with myself. I never want anything I didn't earn.»

The Olympic spots will be determined Sunday after the women's road race. Three athletes will be picked by a panel of five cycling officials. All three will be in the Olympic road race, and two of them will also compete in the time trial.

une page mise à jour le 14 juillet 2000 par SVP