Search
shop

Triathlon star Paula Findlay takes major cycling time-trial title in first part of CRAZY racing double-header

PTO World #8 Paula Findlay took a terrific win at the Canadian TT National Championships in Saint-Prosper, her third consecutive title.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Paula Findlay was once again crowned the Canadian National TT Champion on Friday, as the middle distance triathlon star took the victory in Saint-Prosper, Quebec.

For the Edmonton native, the title was her third in this discipline and was remarkably won less than 48 hours before she is set to compete at IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant.

Following a stressful ordeal just trying to get her bike to the start line, Findlay shared on Instagram after the race that she was proud of the way she managed the challenges in the buildup.

Seattle stress almost throws spanner in works

On her way to the race, Findlay’s bike wasn’t put on the plane at Seattle Airport, and only made it back to her the night before the time trial in Saint-Prosper.

Paula Findlay PTO Canadian Open 2022 bike
Photo by Darren Wheeler (www.thatcameraman.com)

Speaking about her experience, the 35-year-old admitted on Instagram that losing her bike was less than ideal preparation for a national championship, but also had the grace to thank everyone who had helped her get it back to her.

“After 2.5 days lost in Seattle, my bike has made it to Montreal, the night before the TT at Canadian Champs, so we are throwing it in the rental car and driving 4 hours to the race site tonight.

“This was one of the most stressful and frustrating travel experiences of my life, and although @aircanada was at the root of it, there are some extremely amazing employees who helped make this happen, personally going down on the tarmac to search for the bike, re-tagging it and following up with me dozens of times.

“That, plus the insane outpouring of support from friends and complete strangers offering to go to the airport for me, lend me a bike, send me Air Canada contacts, etc, I am completely blown away by everyone’s kindness.”

Three time’s a charm

After the impact of the preceding few days, a drop in performance at the race might have been expected, but incredibly, Findlay managed to put together one of her best ever performances.

Paula Findlay PTO Canadian Open Finish line
Photo by Darren Wheeler (www.thatcameraman.com)

Winning in a time of 39:24 over the 28km course, the PTO World #8 beat runner-up Olivia Baril by 24 seconds and third place finisher Sarah van Dam by 28 seconds to take her third national title.

Expressing her happiness on Instagram post-race, Findlay said her result was testament to the importance of hard work over time and the bigger picture.

“Consistent days, weeks and years of hard work matter way more than what happens in the days before a race. Proud that I was able to switch from chaos into race mode and let my body do what it knows how to do. I felt great and held my best power ever over the distance.

“I have a lot of respect for the other women in the field and knew that it would be incredibly hard to pull off another win, and it ended up being a very close race! Thank you for all of the support and encouragement leading into this, although the TT is quite lonely in the moment I knew I had a lot of people behind me.”

Mont-Tremblant up next

Not content with just a national title, Findlay packed up her things and travelled to Mont-Tremblant after the race, where she will compete in her third IRONMAN Pro Series event of the season on Sunday.

Paul Findlay on the run at T100 San Francisco 2024
[Photo Credit – PTO]

Facing off against fellow T100 Tour contracted athlete Tamara Jewett, plus Australians Ellie Salthouse and Grace Thek, Findlay will have her work cut out as she makes her debut in Quebec.

However, with a win at the North American IRONMAN 70.3 Championships last month and a third place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside already this year, the Olympian will be one of the heavy favourites to take the tape on home turf.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Dan Lorang Head of Performance BORA - hansgrohe
Touching and heartfelt tribute from Anne Haug’s coach after she announces triathlon retirement
Sam Long - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
‘No No No’ – culture shock and bike crash for American star Sam Long in Italy
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Chicago 2024 photo credit supertri
Georgia Taylor-Brown on enjoying her busy “year off” and wanting “to go out on a bit of a high”
challenge roth race ranger
Challenge Roth publish RaceRanger anti-drafting data from both pro races in a first for triathlon
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
IRONMAN Leeds 2025: Date, start time and how to follow live
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...