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Canadians sweep VeloNews North American awards

By VeloNews Interactive
Published: Nov. 28, 2004
Green on his way to winning at world's.
Green on his way to winning at world's.
Photo: Galen Nathanson

For the first time in the 14-year history of the VeloNews awards a pair of Canadians, cross-country racer Roland Green and road pro Lyne Bessette, have walked away with North American Cyclist of the Year honors. In Green's case it was the first time a non-American or a mountain biker has ever won the award. Bessette was just the second Canadian women to be tabbed, following Linda Jackson, who won it twice (1997, '98).

Green earned the honor by putting together a brilliant season that included three overall series titles (NORBA cross country and short track, plus the World Cup overall), and a win at the world championships in Vail. Maybe even more impressive, the British Colombian's relentless riding throughout the year had many of his peers tossing in the towel.

"We all knew we couldn't catch him so no one tried," said fellow Canadian Seamus McGrath after one of Green's short-track wins.

Bessette was a multiple winner on the road and in 'cross.
Bessette was a multiple winner on the road and in 'cross.
Photo: Jonathan McElvery

Bessette didn't enjoy quite as smooth as ride as Green. Her season got off to a rocky start at Redlands when she crashed and broke her collarbone, but she was soon back on track. Bessette won May's Tour de l'Aude in southern France and then went on to dominate June's Hewlett-Packard Women's Challenge in Idaho. Later in the year when most of her peers had put their bikes away for the off-season, Bessette was still going strong winning a handful of cyclo-cross races even though she'd never raced the discipline before.

Check back to VeloNews.com on Thursday when more of the 2001 award winners will be revealed. For more on Green, Bessette and all the other winners of the 14th annual VeloNews Awards, check out the December 17 issue of VeloNews.

North American Male Cyclist of the Year finalists
George Hincapie, Trent Klasna, Levi Leipheimer

Previous winners
Marty Nothstein (2000, 1994)
Lance Armstrong (1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1993)
Bobby Julich (1997)
Andy Hampsten (1992)
Mike Engleman (1991)
Greg LeMond (1990)
Greg Oravetz (1989)
Davis Phinney (1988)

North American Female Cyclist of the Year finalists
Kim Bruckner, Alison Dunlap, Geneviève Jeanson, Missy Giove

Previous Winners
Mari Holden (2000)
Alison Dunlap (1999)
Linda Jackson (1998, 1997)
Linda Brenneman (1996)
Juli Furtado (1995, 1994, 1991)
Rebecca Twigg (1993)
Ruthie Matthes (1992)
Connie Paraskevin-Young (1990)
Susan Elias (1989)
Inga Thompson (1988)

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