News – Page 17 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS: 2023 UCI CYCLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Canadian National Cycling Team was off to a busy start at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, GBR, on Aug. 3 with events in mountain bike downhill, para-cycling track and track.

Canada Headed to Round 1 of the Men Elite Team Pursuit

Dylan Bibic of Mississauga, ON, Michael Foley of Milton, ON, Derek Gee of Ancaster, ON, and Mathias Guillemette of Trois-Rivières, QC, came sixth in the Men Elite Team Pursuit Qualifier, 4.364 seconds off top-finishing Denmark (3:46.816). Their efforts earned Canada a spot in tomorrow’s Round 1 against Germany.

Mathias Guillemette, Michael Foley, Derek Gee, Dylan Bibic
Photo Credit: Charlie Forgham-Bailey/SWpix.com

“I’m incredibly satisfied with this morning’s performance,” said Gee. “I think we rode a clean, well-executed ride with still some room for improvements going into the rounds. With only one team pursuit a day, we’re always going for our best possible time. The better you qualify, the better you’re set up for the next rides. Not only is riding more than once at competition always the goal, but to come top eight is crucial points for Olympic qualifying.”

Bibic also placed sixth in the Men Elite Scratch Race in defense of his 2022 World Champion title. He was unable to retain the top spot against a fierce field ultimately won by William Tidball (GBR).

The 2023 Tissot UCI Track Nations Cup Milton silver medal team – Lauriane Genest of Montreal, QC, Kelsey Mitchell of Sherwood Park, AB, and Sarah Orban of Calgary, AB – kept pace in the morning’s Women Elite Team Sprint Qualification, finishing a scant 1.276 seconds off leader Great Britain’s time of 46.072 for seventh. However, in Round 1 their time of 47.656 seconds fell short of the 45.988 laid down by Germany, who eventually went on to win the final.

In the Men Elite Team Sprint, James Hedgcock of Ancaster, ON, Tyler Rorke of Baden, ON, and Nick Wammes of Bothwell, ON, finished a mere 0.003 seconds shy of qualification. There will also be no Canadians moving forward from the Women Elite Individual Pursuit Qualifiers, despite commendable efforts including Maggie Coles-Lyster’s seventh-place finish.

Keely Shaw Locks In Chance for Gold

Keely Shaw of Midale, SK was the only Canadian to make the top four in the Individual Pursuit Qualifiers held Aug. 2. She will race for the rainbow jersey in the Women’s C4 Individual Pursuit Finals against Emily Petricola (AUS) on Aug. 7.

Keely Shaw
Photo Credit: Charlie Forgham-Bailey/SWpix.com

Downhill Kicks Off with Junior Qualifiers

Six Juniors who call British Columbia home successfully stamped their ticket to tomorrow’s downhill finals. Fernie’s Joy Attalla will be the sole women’s representative, while the men will be sending Tegan Cruz (Pemberton), Max Halchuck (Kelowna), Dane Jewett (Squamish), Bodhi Kuhn (Rossland) and Jon Mozell (North Vancouver).

Bodhi Kuhn
Photo Credit: Michal Cerveny/SWpix.com

Full results from the first day of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships can be found here and detailed information about the event can be found here.

August 3, 2023/by Communications

WHISTLER CROWNS FOUR NEW CANADIAN ENDURO CHAMPIONS

Ottawa, ON (July 31, 2023) – Crankworx and the Canadian Enduro League played host to the first sanctioned Canadian Enduro Championships since 2019 on July 30, 2023, crowning new national champions in the discipline in Whistler, BC.

Three-time Olympic alpine and freestyle skier Brittany Phelan took the lead in the Women Elite’s race, racing four of the five fastest stages in her category, to finish 36.8 seconds in front of Miranda Miller.

“It feels awesome. I’ve always been second but today I knew how to get the lead after the Blackcomb descent and I just wanted to keep it together and settle for a good race,” said Phelan. “I felt like I rode fast and smooth all day, I pedalled as fast as I possibly could on every single stage and I feel like I didn’t really leave anything out there. Whatever the result was in the end, I was going to be stoked with it because I was stoked with my ride and the effort I put in today.”

Going into the race, there were high expectations for Emmy Lan (U21 Women), Jesse Melamed (Elite Men) and Rhys Verner (Elite Men) after stellar finishes in the 2023 UCI Mountain Bike World Series. Lan took the win in the U21 Women’s field, while Melamed and Verner battled it out on the trails, with Melamed ultimately finishing 21.20 seconds in front of Verner.

In the U21 Men’s category, Wei Tien Ho was the fastest rider of the day, scoring the best time in all five stages with a total time of 39:27.02 – a time that would have been competitive amongst the Elite Men.

The full list of results can be found here. Next up on the Canadian Championships calendar are the Canadian XCM Championships, which will be held on Sept. 1-3 in Whitehorse, YK. The full calendar of national events can be found on the Cycling Canada website.

July 31, 2023/by Communications

CANADIAN ENDURO TITLES UP FOR GRABS IN WHISTLER

Ottawa, ON (July 27, 2023) – U21 and Elite athletes are on their way to Whistler, BC, for the first sanctioned Canadian Enduro Championships since 2019, to be held on July 30, 2023.

“We are thrilled to head to Whistler to mark the return of the sanctioned Canadian Enduro Championships as a part of the world renowned Crankworx World Tour,” said Josh Peacock, Cycling Canada Director of Events and Marketing. “This event represents an exciting collaboration between Cycling Canada, the Canadian Enduro League and Crankworx to crown the nation’s best on some of the world’s most challenging terrain.”

Well known on the international scene, Mountain Bike World Series Enduro World Cup medallists Jesse Melamed (Elite Men), Rhys Verner (Elite Men), Emmy Lan (U21 Women), Elly Hoskin (U21 Women) and Lily Boucher (U21 Women) will be on hand to battle it out for the maple leaf jersey in their respective categories.

The full technical guide and important event information can be found on the Events Page of the Cycling Canada website.

July 27, 2023/by Communications

TEAM CANADA ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 UCI CYCLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (July 26, 2023) – Over 130 athletes have been selected to represent the maple leaf in Glasgow, GBR, for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, to be held from Aug. 3-13, 2023.

“This year’s World Championships are an opportunity to showcase the depth and breadth of Canadian cycling talent in all disciplines and all age groups,” said Scott Kelly, Cycling Canada Chief Sport Officer. “We’re excited about our chances and eager to represent Canada on the world’s biggest stage.”

Click here to view the selected Canadian National Cycling Team.

Looking to hold on to their rainbow jerseys for a second consecutive year will be defending World Champions Dylan Bibic (Scratch Race – Men), Mel Pemble (Omnium, Scratch Race – Women C3) and Carson Mattern (Individual Pursuit, Omnium – Junior Men). Meanwhile, Isabella Holmgren will be hunting to add mountain bike and road titles to her collection after becoming Canada’s first Junior Cyclo-Cross World Champion in February 2023. 2021 Junior Downhill World Champion Jackson Goldstone will be looking to reclaim the rainbow jersey, now in the Elite category.

The field will be stacked with Canadian heavy hitters, including Tokyo 2020 medallists Kelsey Mitchell and Lauriane Genest for track, and Keely Shaw and Kate O’Brien for para-track cycling. Two-time triathlon Olympian Paula Findlay will also be making her World Championships debut for cycling.

Canadians will also be competing as individuals at the UCI Cycling World Championships in the Gran Fondo mass participation event.

Want to make sure you stay up to date with the latest news and daily highlights from the National Team at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships? Sign up for the mailing list here.

July 26, 2023/by Communications

WORLD-CLASS COMPETITION CONCLUDES AT 2023 CANADIAN XCO & XCC MTB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (July 24, 2023) – A decorated field took to the mixed terrain and elevation of Kentville, NS, to determine the 2023 Canadian XCO & XCC MTB Champions on July 20-23.

Cross-country short track (XCC) competition was first to get underway on July 20, with the addition of new U17 and Junior categories. Rafaëlle Carrier (CVM Sigma Assurance) claimed the U17 Women’s jersey while for the men, Nicolas Gauthier (Ride with Rendall P/B Biemme) held on to an early breakaway to secure the title. Stimulus Orbea Racing Team had a great Junior showing with Marin Lowe claiming her second consecutive gold medal (Women) and Ian Ackert (Men) adding to his 2021 Cross-country Olympic (XCO) and 2022 Cyclo-cross Championships before moving onwards to the U23 category next year.

Defending Elite Champions Laurie Arseneault (Pittstop Racing Team – Women) and Carter Woods (Giant Factory Off Road Team – Men) managed to hold on to their titles with competitive, strategic racing. Arseneault commented, “It was a hard race, the pace was very high from the beginning so I had to work my way up. It was a very hard season until now, I had a lot of injuries and sickness so it felt good to be in the game again, have that win and wear the maple leaf again for the rest of the season. I love racing out east. The course is nice, people are nice, the organization is very, very good so good job to everyone.”

July 22’s XCO competition saw many athletes claim back-to-back championships including Lowe (Junior Women), Ackert (Junior Men), Carrier (U17 Women) and Woods (Elite Men).

“I felt like I had a pretty good shot at the Elite title and now I get to bring the jersey next year, too,” said Woods, who recently nabbed two Val di Sole World Cup wins as an U23 in the Mountain Bike World Series. “This is the first time where I’m feeling very confident and having some good training leading into [the UCI Cycling World Championships]. I didn’t put a lot of pressure on this week because I’ve had a couple good weeks of training so this is a complete bonus to come here and have two really, really solid rides. Back home for another two and a half weeks of focus and then I’m hoping to finish out my U23 year with a good Worlds.”

Rounding out the XCO men’s podiums were Emilien Belzile (Siboire QuiRoule – U17) and Cole Punchard (Hockley Valley Resort Armada – U23). Women’s U23 Champion Emilly Johnston (TREK Future) brought her experience to bear after winning bronze at the 2023 Nove Mesto Na Morave XCO World Cup and Jennifer Jackson (Liv Factory Racing) reclaimed the Elite Women’s title that she last held in 2021.

Jackson commented, “I’m really proud to race in the [Championship] jersey. It helps me believe that I can be the best Canadian and I want to show that on the world stage…. Championship races, there’s not a lot of them. There’s only one a year for your nation and one for the world. I set realistic goals and being national champion is a challenging but attainable goal. This is one of the milestones that I want to have to my name and carry proudly. Being able to double down and ride away with it today, I’m like, this is real, I can own this and I’m really happy about that.”

Masters also raced the XCO track. Winners included Peter Glassford (Trek Barrie-Aurora – 35-44 Men), Sue Haviland (Durham Shredders Mountain Bike Team – 35-44 Women), Aroussen Laflamme (Ponsse MTB Team – 45-54 Men), Annik Belanger (Explore Velo – 45-54 Women), Lorenzo Caterini (Hub Cycles Cycling – 55+ Men) and Lyne Nepton (Accro Velo – 55+ Women)

Competition concluded on July 23 with Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations (PTSOs) and Cycling Canada Trade Teams competing in the Team Relay. Pivot Cycles OTE emerged victorious due to the combined efforts of Carrier, Peter Disera, Mathis Duval and Vincent Thiboutot. Anchor Disera clinched the title over defending champions Team Ontario #1 after a back-and-forth battle to the finish line against Punchard.

The full list of results can be found here. Next up on the Canadian Championships calendar are the Canadian Enduro Championships, which will be held on July 30 in Whistler, BC. The full calendar of national events can be found on the Cycling Canada website.

July 24, 2023/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA STATEMENT ON UCI ELIGIBILITY REGULATIONS FOR TRANSGENDER ATHLETES

July 20, 2023

On July 14, 2023, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced the adaptation of its rules on the participation of transgender athletes in international competitions (UCI Regulations 13.5.001). From now on, female transgender athletes who have transitioned after (male) puberty will be prohibited from participating in women’s events on the UCI International Calendar – in all categories – in the various disciplines.

Effective July 17, 2023, the new Eligibility Regulations for Transgender Athletes will be recognized at all UCI-sanctioned events in Canada. These regulations will only apply to UCI-designated race categories at those events.

For Cycling Canada events and race categories not sanctioned by the UCI, including non-UCI categories at the Canadian Cycling Championships, athletes may participate in the gender category identified on their current applicable licence/membership for the full 2023 calendar year.

Moving forward, Cycling Canada will work closely with its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization partners and other key stakeholders to develop a framework for transgender inclusion and participation at nationally sanctioned events in non-UCI categories for the 2024 season.

For questions related to the application of these regulations at events, contact:

Josh Peacock
Director of Marketing and Events
Cycling Canada
josh.peacock@cyclingcanada.ca

For other questions or feedback concerning transgender participation in cycling, contact:
Vanessa Desjardins
Director of Operations and Inclusion
Cycling Canada
vanessa.desjardins@cyclingcanada.ca

July 20, 2023/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH RED X CARBON

Ottawa, ON (July 19, 2023) – Cycling Canada is proud to welcome the technology consulting and managed services company Red X Carbon to its family of partners as an Official Supplier.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Cycling Canada and support a sport that we are very passionate about. At Red X Carbon, we are committed to connecting individuals to their fullest potential by powering performance through innovative technology. This collaboration embodies our shared vision for pushing boundaries and fostering excellence,” said Marcelo Tamaki, CEO of Red X Carbon.

Red X Carbon’s support is tied to key Cycling Canada properties including the 2024 Tissot UCI Track Nations Cup Milton and 2025 Canadian Cycling Championship events.

“Committed partners like Red X Carbon are essential for bringing world-class events to Canada’s backyard and we’re so thrilled that they have joined us for this journey,” said Josh Peacock, Cycling Canada Director of Marketing and Events. “The principles that Red X Carbon embody in the technology space – including strong leadership, world-class technical execution and a collaborative team approach – are also applicable to our cycling world so we feel that this partnership is a perfect fit.”

Cycling Canada’s partners provide essential support to the nationwide development of cycling from grassroots to the high performance level. To learn more about Cycling Canada partners and opportunities for collaboration, click here.

July 19, 2023/by Communications

NOVA SCOTIA WELCOMES CANADIAN XCO & XCC MTB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (July 18, 2023) – U17, Junior, Elite and Masters athletes are on their way to Kentville, NS, for the 2023 Canadian XCO and XCC MTB Championships on July 20-23.

“We are thrilled to bring the Canadian XCO and XCC Championships to Nova Scotia,” said Cycling Canada Director of Events and Marketing, Josh Peacock. “This event promises to showcase the best of maritime hospitality alongside years of trail, venue and event development by the local organizing committee, Trailflow Outdoor Adventure.”

With the recent retirement of 2022 XCO Canadian Champions Emily Batty (Elite Women) and Marianne Théberge (U23 Women), the title will be up for grabs in their categories. Looking to secure another gold medal are Peter Disera (Elite Men), Marin Lowe (Junior Women), Rafaëlle Carrier (U17 Women) and Carter Woods (U23 Men), who is coming back from two Mountain Bike World Series World Cup wins in Val di Sole, ITA, while Jacob Roy (U17 Men Champion) and Zorak Paillé (Junior Men Champion) are hoping to prove their strength in new categories, now racing respectively in the Junior and U23 ranks. 2023 XCO Mountain Bike World Series bronze medallist Emilly Johnston (U23 Women) will also be taking her place on the start line.

For the first time ever, XCC champions will be crowned within the U17 and Junior categories, while 2022 Elite Champions Laurie Arseneault and Woods are planning to leave it all on the trails to hold on to their title.

Sue Haviland (Masters Women 35-44) and Jon Barnes (Men Masters 45-54) will race to add another title to their name, while the title will be up for grabs in all other Masters category.

The full technical guide and important event information can be found on the Events Page of the Cycling Canada website.

July 18, 2023/by Communications

NEW TITLES AWARDED AT THE CANADIAN DOWNHILL MTB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (July 17, 2023) – The 2023 Canadian Downhill MTB Championships, held in Fernie, BC, crowned eight new Canadian Champions from July 15-16.

Competition started on Saturday with seeding runs won by Austin Makson (U17 Men), Dane Jewett (Junior Men), Joy Attalla (Corsa Cycles/Dunbar Cycles – Junior Women), Lucas Cruz (Norco Factory Team – Elite Men) and Emmy Lan (Forbidden Synthesis Team – Elite Women).

2022 Canada Cup winner Brock Hawes (Gravity MTB Racing) was the fastest rider of the finals on Sunday with a time of 2:31.04, claiming his first national title in the Junior Men category after a crash in the seeding runs. He commented, “There were a couple of sections where I thought I was going to crash but we held it together and made it down. I’m at a loss for words, just buzzing.”

Bailey Goldstone (Corsa Cycles/Dunbar Cycles – Women Elite) kept her eyes on the prize, becoming Canadian Champion for the second consecutive year after battling it out with the current U21 Enduro World Series leader, Lan, who finished in second place.

The Norco Factory Team rounded out the Elite Men podium with Mark Wallace in second place and Kirk McDowall in third, letting Lucas Cruz celebrate his birthday with his very own maple leaf jersey.

In front of a home crowd, Joy Attalla stood on the highest step of the Junior Women podium, building on her bronze finish in 2022. She told Canadian Cycling Magazine, “It’s unreal. I did my first downhill race here, so it’s a real full-circle moment, it’s awesome and amazing to have my friends and family out. That just makes it, honestly.”

Anthony Shelly (Instinct Development – U17 Men) was the fastest rider of his category, winning his first-ever Canadian title.

2022 Canadian Champions Robert Vernables (Dunbar Cycles – Masters Men B) and Donald Van Eestern (Rippers Lounge Racing – Masters Men C) held on to their title, while Tom Power (Rippers Lounge Racing – Masters Men A) was edged out by the new champion, Kristopher McMehan.

The full list of results can be found here. Next up on the Canadian Championships calendar is the Canadian XCO & XCC MTB Championships, which will both be held from July 20-23 in Nova Scotia. The full calendar of national events can be found on the Cycling Canada website.

July 17, 2023/by Communications

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR CYCLING CANADA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ottawa, ON (July 13, 2023) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the opening of the annual nomination process for positions on its Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is elected by Cycling Canada’s members (Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations) and is comprised of seven Director-at-Large positions, a National Team athlete representative plus one optional Director that can be appointed at the discretion of the Board.

The role of Cycling Canada’s Board of Directors is to provide strategic direction, leadership and stability for the organization. The Board establishes the overall mission and purpose for the organization and is responsible for a number of key governance-related activities including approving the appointment of and providing direction to the CEO and senior management team, the development and adoption of organizational policies, financial oversight and approval of the annual budget.

Board members meet by video conference once per month, meet in person twice per year and are also expected to participate on Board committees on a regular basis. Cycling Canada is looking to build upon the expertise within its existing Board and is seeking to include a range of diverse voices and skills that will enable the growth and development of the organization and the sport in Canada.

For the upcoming September 2023 elections, the Nominations Committee is seeking nominees with diverse backgrounds, abilities and perspectives who possess the skill sets and competencies outlined below, as established as priorities for the organization:

Governance and policy expertise
Fundraising and strategic partnership development
Risk management

Specifically, Cycling Canada is looking for female applicants as well as those from the Indigenous community, Black Canadias, LGBTQ2S+, persons with physical impairment and representatives from marginalized communities.

Ideally, candidates will also have prior corporate or non-profit board experience. However, experience in cycling is not necessarily required.

In 2023 there are four (4) Director-at-Large positions open for nomination, each for two-year terms. Board elections will occur at the Cycling Canada Annual Meeting to be held by video conference on Sept. 12, 2023. Nominations for these Board positions will close Aug. 4, 2023.

For additional details please refer to the Nomination Form available for download here and the Cycling Canada by-laws and governance policies, available here.

July 13, 2023/by Communications