Rocky Mountain Business Objects Plaxton and Premont top Canadian Cyclist of the year Awards

Congratulations, Marie-Helene and Max!

2006 Canadian Cyclist of the Year Award Winners

Voting for the 10th annual Canadian Cyclist of the Year Awards concluded on Monday, December 11, 2006 at Noon (EST), with two riders dominating the standings. Max Plaxton of Tofino, BC won both the Male Cyclist and Best Individual Performance awards, while Marie-Hélène Premont of Chateau Richer, Quebec repeated as the Female Cyclist of the Year.

The 21 year old Plaxton, a professional mountain bike rider with the Rocky Mountain-Business Objects team, entered the 2006 season after a year of illness and missed opportunities. He spent the early part of 2006 racing in North America, racking up three wins in three races on the Canada Cup circuit, as well as taking the silver medal at the National championships. At the World Championships in Rotorua, New Zealand, Plaxton won the bronze medal, and then finished his season by winning the Pan American championship in Camboriu, Brazil. Plaxton ends the year ranked 34th in the world
rankings; the highest Canadian male ranking. Plaxton took 41% of first place votes, followed by profesional road racer Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria with 25% of first place votes.

"It's a great honor to be recognized by all of Canada as the best overall Male Cyclist of 2006. I think that I have had an all around good year but for me this is more something to build on. I must say, though, that I really respect Ryder's (Hesjedal) inspirational 4th place ProTour result. Thanks to everyone that voted for me, your support means a lot."

Marie-Hélène Premont's victory in the women's category is her third in four years. Premont, the Olympic silver medalist for mountain bike in Athens, began her season with the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. Premont also won the bronze medal at the World Championships (Rotorua, New Zealand), plus two World Cup victories and her third straight national title. Premont ends the season ranked third in world standings. Premont took 44% of first place votes, followed by national road champion
Alexandra Wrubleski of Regina, Saskatchewan with 31% of first place votes.

Max Plaxton also won the Best Individual Performance Award, for his victory at the Pan American Championships in Camboriu, Brazil. Marie-Hélène Premont garnered more first place votes for her World Cup win at Mont Ste Anne, Quebec, but Plaxton had more second and third place rankings to win an extremely close contest.

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