Canada’s spring cycling classic, Paris to Ancaster, is becoming more competitive daily. The latest additions to the start list are Jelly Belly professional Jeremy Powers and Planet Energy’s Mark Batty.
The 24 year old Powers from Boston, Massachusetts is making his debut in the race, but will immediately jump to the top of the list of race favorites due to his strong cyclocross results . He won six races in 2008, including the Toronto international cyclocross and is a 5 time member of the United States national team. “The Jelly Belly professional team is the longest team running sponsorship in North American cycling, and their presence at Paris Ancaster is a milestone for the race”, said race director John Thorpe.
Canada’s only professional road team, Planet Energy, will be well represented by 23 year old Mark Batty, the 2007 National U23 Cyclocross champion. There may be a little sibling rivalry at stake for Mark, as his sister, Emily, won the race in 2005. Canada’s legendary Tour de France rider, classics specialist and Olympic medalist , Steve Bauer is the owner/director of the team and no doubt expecting great things to come from his young talent. Batty is currently racing in the Tour of Uruguay, and will come to the start line in Paris with some great early season racing in his legs.
