Langley BC's Svein Tuft took a big step towards selection to the Canadian Olympic team yesterday cinching the final overall classification at the 2008 Tour de Beauce. The Tour de Beauce is Canada's longest running and most prestigious professional cycling race and attracts a strong field of international cyclists to the tough and hilly roads of the Chaudierre Appalaches region of Quebec every June. This year's event held special significance to a small group of Canadian cyclists who were in the final running for selection to the Canadian Beijing Olympic team.

Tuft became the first Canadian winner of the Tour de Beauce since 1995. The last Canadian winner, Eric Wohlberg, is Tuft's current team mate on the BC based Symmetrics Pro Cycling Team. Wohlberg was not at this year's Tour de Beauce, however Tuft was well supported by a strong Symmetrics team. Tuft set up his victory with a vigilant ride on stage one, placing himself in a key selection of 18 riders. On the queen stage of the tour with the summit finish on Mont Megantic – the highest point in Quebec – Tuft was expected to fold to pressure of strong climbers from France, Italy, Mexico and the United States. Instead Tuft, who focused on his climbing in training this season, surprised everyone finishing 7th on the famous mountain stage. Tuft lost only a handful of seconds to stage winner Miguel Martinez, France, and Bernardo Colex, Mexico. Tuft- a three-time Canadian time trial champion-took the overall lead in the stage 4 individual time trial, a stage he was expected to win.

Tuft's team neutralized all attacks in the final three stages, carrying their team leader to the coveted overall win. Tuft finished 11th in Sunday's final stage in scenic old Quebec city. Finishing right beside Colex—who attacked hard on the final climb up cote de la Montagne past the beautiful Chateau Frontenac.

The Canadian Cycling Association will announce the final road selections for the Beijing Olympics Thursday June 19th, 2008 at a press conference in St. Georges Quebec. Tuft's Beauce victory coupled with the four gold medals he won at the recent Pan American Cycling Championships in Montevideo Uruguay have all cycling analysts tipping Tuft as a shoe-in for one of the three spots on Canada's Olympic team. Tuft races next at the Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine Criterium in Montreal before returning to St. Georges July 4-6 for the National Championships.