Cycling Canada is proud to unveil the Elite and U23 Men’s rosters selected to represent Canada at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montréal. With the world returning to Montréal for the first time since 1974, this year’s squad brings together seasoned WorldTour contenders, rising Canadian talents, and a team of athletes who have delivered standout performances across Europe and North America throughout the season.
ELITE MEN- 2026 UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS NATIONAL TEAM
- Derek Gee‑West – Osgoode, Ontario (RR+ITT)
- Hugo Houle – Sainte-Perpétue, Quebec (RR)
- Michael Leonard – Oakville, Ontario (RR+ITT)
- Michael Woods – Ottawa, Ontario (RR)
- Nickolas Zukowsky – Sainte-Lucie-des-Laurentides, Quebec (RR)
- Pier‑André Côté – Saint-Henri-de-Lévis, Quebec (RR)
RR = Road Race, ITT = Individual Time Trial
Canada’s elite men’s roster brings together some of the most accomplished riders in the nation’s history, athletes who have delivered on the world stage and continue to redefine what Canadian road cycling can achieve. Giro D’Italia star Derek Gee – West enters the championships with multiple GC top ten performances, a stage win at Criterium du Dauphine 2024, and a Gran Camino overall win. Pier‑André Côté adds proven strength and consistency to the team, equipped with his 2023 Pan Am Road Championships title, and coming off a strong season with a 6th overall at the Tour of Denmark. The legendary 2022 Tour de France stage winner, Hugo Houle, enters the championships with rich international experience, alongside promising young WorldTour rider and Tour de l’Avenir stage winner Michael Leonard. Michael Woods, a Tour de France stage winner, three‑time Vuelta a España stage winner, double La Route d’Occitanie GC champion, and former World Championships podium finisher, joins the team with world class experience and leadership. Known for being at the front of the peloton across North American and European calendars, Nick Zukowsky adds depth to the roster. Together, they embody the spirit of gracious champions, and we are thrilled to celebrate the riders who will represent Canada on home soil.
U23 MEN- 2026 UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS NATIONAL TEAM
- Adam Smith – Winnipeg, Manitoba (RR)
- Carson Mattern – Ancaster, Ontario (ITT)
- Jérôme Gauthier – Amos, Quebec (RR)
- Jonas Walton – Westminster, Maryland (RR+ITT)
- Luke Valenti – Orangeville, Ontario (RR)
RR = Road Race, ITT = Individual Time Trial
Canada’s U23 roster brings together a group of riders who have shown consistency and progression across the European circuit and top North American events. Adam Smith, coming off a breakout ride at Vuelta Asturias with 5th on Stage 1 and 12th overall, and Luke Valenti, the 2023 Tour de Beauce champion and a double winner on the Spanish Cup circuit, arrive with proven results in continental racing. Carson Mattern adds a world‑class track record as a triple junior world champion, alongside strong GC performances on the road. Jonas Walton contributes strong international and domestic results, joining the roster alongside 2026 Canadian Elite Road Race Champion, Jérôme Gauthier. Together, they represent an accomplished team that we are confident will represent Canada with pride.
For this Elite and U23 men’s team, the 2026 UCI Road World Championships carry a significance that extends far beyond the race itself. Montréal welcomes the Road Worlds back 52 years after hosting the groundbreaking 1974 edition, marking the first time the event was ever held outside Europe, and now, a new generation of Canadians will take the start lines on those same historic roads.
As Canada prepares to welcome the world to Montréal, today’s announcement marks a meaningful step toward building a national team ready to meet a historical moment. Cycling Canada looks forward to announcing the Elite Women and U23 Women rosters in the coming weeks, completing the full maple‑leaf lineup for Montréal 2026.
For more information on the 2026 UCI Road World Championships please visit the Montreal 2026 official website
