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CYCLING CANADA SELECTS FOUR ATHLETES FOR MINSK & GLASGOW TRACK WORLD CUPS

Ottawa, ON (October 28, 2019) – Cycling Canada has selected four strong riders to compete in the first two rounds of the Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup, to be held in Minsk, Belarus from November 1-3 and Glasgow, UK from November 8-10. Maggie Coles-Lyster and Michael Foley will be competing in the Omnium at the Minsk World Cup, while Allison Beveridge and Derek Gee will be competing in the same event in Glasgow.

“We’re taking a strategic approach to this year’s world cups, which are part of the final phase of Olympic qualification,” said Kris Westwood, High Performance Director at Cycling Canada. “It’s a long season, and the biggest performance target is the worlds at the end of February, so our team pursuit and sprint squads will be skipping the first two world cups and focusing on the December events. We’re using Minsk and Glasgow to bank some results in the women’s and men’s omniums without accumulating too much travel fatigue for our targeted athletes.”

“The focus in Minsk will be on development, with Maggie and Michael gaining valuable world cup experience. Glasgow will be more about the results so we’ll be lining up our top omnium riders, Allison and Derek.”

Minsk World Cup
Maggie Coles-Lyster – Maple Ridge, BC [Omnium]
Michael Foley – Milton, ON [Omnium]

Glasgow World Cup
Allison Beveridge – Calgary, AB [Omnium]
Derek Gee – Ottawa, ON [Omnium]

October 28, 2019/by Communications

NEW CANADIAN CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT 2019 TRACK NATIONALS

Milton, ON (September 30, 2019) – Over 140 athletes from all over the country took part in the 2019 Canadian Track Championships for Elite and Masters from September 26-28 at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario.

The Elite & Masters women and men categories each contested for eight national titles in the sprint and endurance events, with a number of athletes winning several titles in different events, including Masters A riders Fabien Lamaze and Candice Moote who swept all the events they entered in. In the Elite category, five athletes won several titles over the weekend – Nick Wammes of Bothwell, ON, in the Sprint, Team Sprint and Keirin, Kelsey Mitchell from Sherwoood Park, AB, in the Sprint, Team Sprint and Time Trial, Derek Gee of Ottawa, ON, in the Omnium, Madison and Individual Pursuit, Michael Foley of Milton, ON, in the Madison and Team Pursuit and Steph Roorda of Vancouver, BC, in the Omnium and Madison.

Development athlete Nick Wammes managed to secure his first Canadian champion title since becoming an Elite: “It’s been quite the journey in the last eight months, with my first world cup in New Zealand last year, and a long summer of racing at the Pan Am Games and Pan Am Championships. It’s pretty crazy to think that last year I was barely getting on the podium, and this year I won three Elite titles. I’m so happy with my performances this weekend and it’s a great way to start the season.”

“Nationals is a very special event for me, especially since last year it was my first major competition. Coming in this year, I gained a lot of confidence from my other races and just went all out. It’s exciting to get to race against your teammates that you see every single day because you know their strengths and weaknesses and it’s just so different. I’m very excited for what’s coming,” said RBC Training Ground athlete Kelsey Mitchell.

“It’s so impressive to see the overall level of our athletes improve, especially the depth that we’re seeing out of our younger athletes” said Kris Westwood, High Performance Director at Cycling Canada. “We’ve never seen track cycling at this level in Canada before and the momentum that has built up around the Mattamy National Cycling Centre is really starting to pay dividends. It’s an exciting time for track cycling and I think it’s only going to improve in the future.”

September 30, 2019/by Communications

VALLIÈRES-MILL TENTH IN JUNIOR WOMEN’S ROAD RACE

Yorkshire, UK (September 27, 2019) – Canadian Junior women’s champion Magdeleine Vallières-Mill finished just seven seconds off the podium in tenth place, in the Junior women’s road race at the Road World Championships on Friday. Vallières-Mill was part of a chase group that almost caught winner Megan Jastrab (USA) on the line after 86 kilometres of racing. The three other Canadians in the race – Laury Milette, Camille Primeau and Adele Desgagnés – were all caught in the numerous crashes during the race, with Milette and Primeau finishing 84th and 85th, respectively, and Desgagnés not finishing.

“I am super happy with the race,” said Vallières-Mill. “I didn’t really know where I could finish today, so I just focused on being at the front most of the time to not crash and be able to be there if something was getting away. In the last corner there were two girls with a small gap and I just gave everything I had until the finish line. I think the most important part of this race was being well placed because it was a flat course.”

September 27, 2019/by Communications

ELITE/MASTERS CANADIAN TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS KICK OFF ON THURSDAY

Milton, ON (September 24, 2019) – The 2019-2020 domestic track season will officially kick off this week with the Canadian Track Championships for Elite and Masters athletes, to be held at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario from September 26-28. Over the course of three days, titles and maple leaf jerseys will be awarded in eight events for women and men in the Elite category, and across multiple age categories for Masters women and men.

“We are thrilled to host Canada’s top track cyclists at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre as they finalize their preparation for the final World Cup season before the Olympic Games,” said Mathieu Boucher, Head of Development and Operations at Cycling Canada. “Our Elite athletes have had a successful start to the season, setting multiple records and winning several medals at the Pan Am Games & Pan Am Championships, and we are expecting fast times and outstanding performances throughout the week!”

Competition begins on Thursday, September 26th, with the Time Trial, Team Pursuit and Team Sprint events. On Friday, the Omnium and Sprint titles will be awarded, and the Championships will conclude on Saturday with the Individual Pursuit, Keirin and Madison events.

Approximately 140 athletes are registered for the Championships, including Olympic bronze medalists Allison Beveridge and Georgia Simmerling and Pan American champion and world record holder Kelsey Mitchell, as well as many other high caliber riders from around the country.

Click here for more information about the Championships: https://bit.ly/2kxxcTT.

September 24, 2019/by Communications

CANADA CONCLUDES PARA ROAD WORLDS WITH FIVE MEDALS

Emmen, Netherlands (September 17, 2019) – Team Canada concluded the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Emmen, Netherlands, with a total of five medals. Over the four days of competition, Canadian athletes won four bronze medals in the time trial, and went on to win one silver medal in the road race.

Ross Wilson and Tristen Chernove kicked off the first day by finishing third in the time trial for C1 and C2 categories, while Shelley Gautier and Marie-Eve Croteau podiumed on Friday in the T1 and T2 categories. Shelley Gautier, who is no stranger to the podium, finished off the weekend with a second place in the road race, only a few seconds behind Eltje Malzbender of New Zeland.

“This World championship has demonstrated the internal strength of our team,” said Sebastien Travers, Para Head Coach for Cycling Canada. “Our athletes have never been so supportive of each other. All of our staff are dedicated and see the athletes’ performances as their priority, helping foster the high performance culture we have built over the past few years.”

September 17, 2019/by Communications

CANADIANS IMPRESS AT GRAND PRIX CYCLISTE DE MONTREAL

Montreal, QC (September 16, 2019) – After three top-25 results at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec on Friday, Canadians continued to prove they belong among the world’s elite at the Montreal race on Sunday.

In the early stages of the 220 kilometre road race, five riders broke away from the main pack and created a gap which extended up to 11 minutes, before being caught by the peloton with 30 kilometres to go. Canadians Matteo Dal-Cin and Ryan Anderson were at the front representing Rally UHC Cycling, while Charles-Etienne Chrétien and Nickolas Zukowsky of Team Canada worked together to secure KOM points. Zukowsky, a third year U23, managed to stay at the front on his own for 10 more kilometres, and was able to secure the King of the Mountain title.

“It was a long day for sure, but it makes it so much more fun and it helps a lot when you’ve got all your family and friends cheering for you,” said Zukowsky. “It was really exciting to have four Canadians in the break and Charles [Etienne Chrétien] really helped me at the front. I knew I had to go deep to get the KOM with three laps to go and I couldn’t have done it without him.”

In the last kilometre, Mike Woods of EF Education First managed to position himself at the front and sprinted to eighth place, the best Canadian result of the day. This race also marked Svein Tuft’s final race as a professional athlete after a long and successful career.

September 16, 2019/by Communications

CANADA WINS FOUR BRONZE MEDALS ON OPENING DAYS OF PARA ROAD WORLDS

Emmen, Netherlands (September 14, 2019) – Canada opened the 2019 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Emmen, Netherlands, by winning four bronze medals on the first two days of competition. Ross Wilson and Tristen Chernove kicked off the first day by finishing third in the time trial for C1 and C2 categories, while Shelley Gautier and Marie-Eve Croteau also podiumed on Friday in the T1 and T2 categories.

Wilson’s time for the 20.8 kilometre race against the clock was 30:24.39, 54 seconds behind winner Aaron Keith of the United States. Michael Tueber of Germany took silver. In the T2 category, Tristen Chernove also finished in third with a time of 29.11.85, behind Darren Hicks of Australia and Ewoud Vromant of Belgium.

“Making it to the podium was very tough today,” said Chernove. “I’m really impressed with the rides that Darren Hicks and Ewoud Vromant produced. I raced the TT to my plan but found several things that need some work in order to find my best performance. I’m ready to attack the road race on Saturday and do all I can to get back on the top step of the podium.”

On Friday, defending champion Shelley Gautier was not able to defend her title in the T1 category, but still managed to take home bronze with a time of 46:49.10. Marie-Eve Croteau, who just recently returned to competition, also finished third in the T2 category with a time of 40:01.40.

“It was the longest time trial that I’ve ever done and I’m honoured to be among the top-3 on the podium. It was a really hard fought race and I’m pleased with my performance,” said Gautier.

In other results, Charles Moreau finished 5^th in the Men’s H3 category, while Kara Douville got the same result in the Women’s H4. Competition continues Saturday and Sunday with the road race events.

September 14, 2019/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM

Ottawa, ON (September 11, 2019) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the squad of 25 riders who will represent Canada at the 2019 UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Yorkshire, United Kingdom from September 22 – 29. Women and men will compete in the road race and time trial events across five categories: Junior and Elite women, as well as Junior, Under-23 and Elite men.

This year, Canada managed to qualify six spots in the Elite men’s road race, giving the team access to more support riders. Leading the squad will be professional riders from the highest level of the sport, including last year’s bronze medallist and top ranked Canadian on the WorldTour circuit, Michael Woods, as well as Hugo Houle, known to be of the world’s best support riders.

“It’s always a great opportunity to represent Canada at the World Championships, especially with a great leader like Mike Woods,” said Hugo Houle. “I have been in excellent physical condition since the Tour de France – it was really important for me to be in the best possible shape for this competition in order to support Mike until the end of the race. He showed us he could be world champion in Innsbruck, and he needs teammates who live up to his performances.”

On the women’s side, the team will be led by former world time trial champion and current national road champion Karol-Ann Canuel. She will be joined by all-rounder Alison Jackson and climbing specialist Sara Poidevin. Top ranked Canadian rider Leah Kirchmann was set to compete, but will be unable to take part in the project due to injury.

“Our women were our stand-out performers last year in Austria” said Team Manager, Kevin Field. “We faced some injuries and setbacks this year – that’s all part of sport. Challenge is something these girls don’t shy away from and we’re ready to bring a good game to Yorkshire.”

The Under-23 men’s selection includes national road champion and breakout athlete Nickolas Zukowsky, as well as national time trial champion Adam Roberge. In the Junior ranks, national women’s road, time trial and criterium champion Magdeleine Vallières-Mill will be leading the team, while the men’s selection includes national road champion Raphael Parisella, and national time trial champion Jacob Rubuliak, who are both first in their first year as Juniors.

“I’m less concerned about results in our developing categories. We have very high potential athletes in these age groups; however, the goal of this event is to learn and experience, with a focus on process that we can leverage to springboard them forward. I have no doubts we can do that.”

The world championships begin on Monday, September 23th with the Junior women’s and men’s time trials, and conclude on Sunday, September 29th, with the Elite men’s road race.

Team Canada [TT – Time Trial, RR – Road Race]

Elite Men
Guillaume Boivin – Montreal, QC [RR]
Antoine Duchesne – Saguenay, QC [RR]
Hugo Houle – Sainte-Perpétue, QC [TT, RR]
Benjamin Perry – St.Catharines, ON [RR]
James Piccoli – Montreal, QC [RR]
Mike Woods – Ottawa, ON [RR]

Elite Women
Marie-Soleil Blais – Saint-Rosaire, QC [RR]
Karol-Ann Canuel – Gatineau, QC [TT, RR]
Gillian Ellsay – Courtenay, BC [RR]
Alison Jackson – Vermilion, AB [RR]
Sara Poidevin – Canmore, AB [RR]
Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin – Neuville, QC [RR]

Under-23 Men
Evan Burtnik – Edmonton, AB [RR]
Pier-André Côté – Levis, QC [RR]
Laurent Gervais – Montreal, QC [RR]
Nickolas Zukowsky – Ste-Lucie-des-Laurentides, QC [TT, RR]

Junior Women
Adèle Desgagnés – Montreal, QC [RR]
Laury Milette – Gatineau, QC [RR]
Camille Primeau – Rosemère, QC [TT, RR]
Magdeleine Vallières-Mill – Sherbrooke, QC [TT, RR]

Junior Men
Lukas Carreau – La Prairie, QC [RR]
Tristan Jussaume – Contrecoeur, QC [TT]
Raphael Parisella – Boucherville, QC [RR]
Riley Pickrell – Victoria, BC [RR]
Jacob Rubuliak – Kelowna, BC [TT, RR]

September 11, 2019/by Communications

TEAM CANADA WRAPS UP PAN AM TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH 15 MEDALS

Cochabamba, Bolivia (September 10, 2019) – Team Canada concluded day five of the Pan American Track Championships in Cochabamba, Bolivia, by winning three more medals in the Keirin and Kilo events, bringing the total tally up to fifteen medals.

Lauriane Genest and Kelsey Mitchell went head-to-head in the Keirin final, with Genest ultimately taking the lead and sprinting to gold, while her teammate took home her first bronze medal of the Championships. Vincent de Haitre also finished third in the Kilo, and recorded a personal best time of 58.951.

Over the last five days of competition, Team Canada won 8 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze medals, and amassed critical qualification points for the Tokyo Olympic Games. The squad also kicked off the season by setting six Canadian, five Pan Am and one world record, and the Men’s Team Pursuit squad became the second nation in history to ride faster than 3:50, while the women’s squad became the third nation to ride under 4:14.

“This was an amazing way to kick off the second year of Olympic qualifying,” said Cycling Canada high performance director Kris Westwood. “Our track team was well prepared for the Pan Am championships, but we really weren’t sure how the athletes would do at altitude – especially after the long trip to central Bolivia. Kelsey’s world record and winning so many medals was quite a bit above expectations, and certainly mission accomplished from the point of view of Olympic qualification. On a more sobering note, Hugo’s injury is a really big blow, and we hope he can recover in time for the world cups in December to lock in his Olympic qualification.”

For full results, click here.

Results

Gold – Women’s Team Pursuit (Allison Beveridge, Georgia Simmerling, Ariane Bonhomme, Annie Foreman-Mackey), Men’s Team Pursuit (Derek Gee, Jay Lamoureux, Vincent de Haitre, Michael Foley, Aidan Caves), Women’s Team Sprint (Kelsey Mitchell & Lauriane Genest), Points Race (Michael Foley), Sprint (Kelsey Mitchell), Individual Pursuit (Georgia Simmerling), Omnium (Derek Gee), Keirin (Lauriane Genest)

Silver – Omnium (Allison Beveridge), Individual Pursuit (Annie Foreman-Mackey)

Bronze – Scratch Race (Kinley Gibson & Aidan Caves), Individual Pursuit (Jay Lamoureux), Keirin (Kelsey Mitchell), Kilo (Vincent de Haitre)

September 10, 2019/by Communications

CANADIAN ROAD STARS TO FEATURE AT GPCQM

Ottawa, ON (September 9, 2019) – The Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal will kick off its 10^th edition this Friday with more North American riders taking the start than ever before. The one-day WorldTour races will feature the best Canadians on the WorldTour and Pro Contintental circuit, as well as some of the country’s most promising U23 athletes.

Leading the charge will be Mike Woods, Canada’s number one ranked WorldTour rider and last year’s World Championship bronze medallist, racing in the colours of EF Education First. Antoine Duchesne will be competing with Groupama-FDJ in one of his first races since undergoing surgery earlier this summer, while Hugo Houle will line up for Astana Pro Team not long after signing a three-year contract extension.

For the second year running, Pro Continental teams Rally UHC Cycling and Israel Cycling Academy have been invited to attend both races, with both teams counting a number of world-class Canadians. Alex Cataford and Guillaume Boivin will represent Israel Cycling Academy, while Rally’s entire roster will be made up of Canadian riders. The team will be led by veterans Ryan Anderson, Rob Britton and Svein Tuft, who will be retiring at the end of this year. Current Canadian road champion Adam de Vos will also be looking to prove himself, alongside former champion Matteo Dal-Cin, Nigel Ellsay and Pier-André Côté.

The Canadian National Team will focus on development, having selected a team of up-and-coming U23 riders who will be able to gain valuable experience. Montreal native James Piccoli, who has had an exceptional season so far, will be leading the team, joined by teammates Jordan Cheyne and Adam Roberge. The team will be completed by some of Canada’s most promising U23s, including Nickolas Zukowsky, Charles-Étienne Chrétien, Laurent Gervais, who all recently competed at the Tour de l’Avenir, as well as Evan Burtnik.

“It’s very exciting to see so many Canadians on the line in Québec and Montréal,” said Cycling Canada high performance director Kris Westwood. “It’s a testament to our athletes’ talent and hard work to see them taking prominent roles in some of the biggest teams in the world, while our next generation of road stars can look forward to an amazing development experience under the leadership of national team sport director Kevin Field. The future looks very bright for Canadian road cycling.”

WorldTour & Pro Continental
Michael Woods – Ottawa, ON [EF Education First]
Hugo Houle – Ste-Perpétue, QC [Astana Pro Team]
Antoine Duchesne – Chicoutimi, QC [Groupama-FDJ]
Guillaume Boivin – Montreal, QC [Israel Cycling Academy]
Alex Cataford – Ottawa, ON [Israel Cycling Academy]

Rally UHC Cycling
Ryan Anderson – Vancouver, BC
Rob Britton – Calgary, AB
Pier-André Côté – Lévis, QC
Matteo Dal-Cin – Ottawa, ON
Adam de Vos – Victoria, BC
Nigel Ellsay – Courtenay, BC
Svein Tuft – Langley, BC

Team Canada
Evan Burtnik – Edmonton, AB [X-Speed United]
Jordan Cheyne – Big White, BC [Elevate KHS]
Charles-Etienne Chrétien – Amos, QC [Interpro Cycling Academy]
Laurent Gervais – Montreal, QC [Aevolo]
James Piccoli – Montreal, QC [Elevate KHS]
Adam Roberge – Montreal, QC [Elevate KHS]
Nickolas Zukowsky – Ste-Lucie-des-Laurentides, QC [Floyd’s Pro Cycling]

September 9, 2019/by Communications