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August 25, 2009

Team Nova Scotia Wins First Ever Canada Games Medal

Photo Credit: Shirley Robb
(left to right), Andrew Feenstra, Ryan MacDonald, Andrew L'esperance, Geoff O'toole, Garrett McLeod, Ben Bschaden, Andrew Parsons

Press Release: August 24, 2009
The Nova Scotia Cycling Team caps off a successful 2009 Canada Summer Games with their first-ever medal.

On Thursday, August 20, 2009, Canada Games veteran Geoff O’toole sprinted to the line in a photo finish to capture Nova Scotia Cycling’s first medal of a Canada summer games. Geoff captured the Bronze in the cycling road race. During the race, a breakaway was established by Nova Scotia riders, lead by the veteran Garrett MacLeod, and the Canada Games 17 year old rookie, Ryan S. MacDonald, which kept the other teams working hard in the main chase group. This allowed Geoff to save his energy for the sprint finish, in the main group; Geoff was aided by teammates Andrew L’Esperance and Ben Bschaden. Having the riders in the breakaway and in the main group ready for a sprint finish was part of the team’s two part strategy developed by Team Manger/Mechanic Andrew Feenstra and Head Coach Andrew Parsons to give the team the most options for a podium finish in the road race.

The Canada Games cycling competition is made up of four races. In the Time Trial, Garrett MacLeod finished 5th, missing the podium by 2 seconds in a hard fought race over the course. Geoff O’toole finished 24th, and Ryan S. Macdonald, 36th.

In the Cross Country Mountain Bike race, Andrew L’Esperance led the way with a 6th place finish after breaking the chain on his bike. Ben Bschaden was 21st, and Ryan S. MacDonald, 38th.

Closing out the week of racing in the Road Criterium, Garrett Macleod was the top NS finisher, finishing in 12th place, followed by Geoff O’toole in 14th, Andrew L’Esperance in 17th, Ryan S. MacDonald 22nd, and Ben Bschaden 49th.

The small team of five athletes made up of Canada Games veterans and rookies, lead by Head Coach Andrew Parsons, and Manager/Mechanic Andrew Feenstra, attained great results in all four races and proved that cycling in Nova Scotia continues to develop and is ready to challenge the larger teams of Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and BC.