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TWENTY-TWO CYCLING ATHLETES NAMED TO TEAM CANADA FOR PARIS 2024

*Updated June 28 to reflect the addition of BMX Freestyle

TORONTO (June 25, 2024) – Cycling Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the roster of Team Canada cycling athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The 22 athletes are:

BMX Racing:
Molly Simpson (Red Deer, Alta.)

BMX Freestyle:
Jeffrey Whaley (Montréal, Que.)

Mountain Bike:
Isabella Holmgren (Orillia, Ont.)
Gunnar Holmgren (Orillia, Ont.)

Road:
Olivia Baril (Rouyn-Noranda, Que.)
Derek Gee (Ottawa, Ont.)
Alison Jackson (Vermilion, Alta.)
Michael Woods (Ottawa, Ont.)

Track (Endurance):
Erin Attwell (Victoria, B.C.)
Dylan Bibic (Mississauga, Ont.)
Ariane Bonhomme (Gatineau, Que.)
Maggie Coles-Lyster (Maple Ridge, B.C.)
Michael Foley (Milton, Ont.)
Mathias Guillemette (Trois-Rivières, Que.)
Carson Mattern (Ancaster, Ont.)
Sarah Van Dam (Victoria, B.C.)

Track (Sprint):
Lauriane Genest (Levis, Que.)
James Hedgcock (Ancaster, Ont.)
Kelsey Mitchell (Sherwood Park, Alta.)
Sarah Orban (Calgary, Alta.)
Tyler Rorke (Baden, Ont.)
Nick Wammes (Bothwell, Ont.)

Following the confirmation of Canada’s final Olympic quotas, the mountain bike, track, and BMX athletes were selected based on their performances at UCI World Cups and World Championships in 2023 and 2024. Road cyclists were selected for Team Canada based on their performances on the world stage in 2023 and 2024 and their suitability to the Olympic course.

Molly Simpson, who will make her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, will be the sole Canadian athlete in BMX racing. The 21-year-old made her major Games debut at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games where she won the silver medal. During the 2023 season, Simpson finished in the top five in each of the first four World Cup races. She later reached the top four at back-to-back World Cup races in early 2024. Simpson was the bronze medallist at the 2022 UCI U23 World Championships.

“I have dreamed of going to the Olympics since I was a little girl and now here I am preparing for my first ones! Words can’t describe how excited and how happy I am to represent Canada at the highest level of my sport; it’s truly an incredible feeling,” said Simpson. “I am really looking forward to the experience and the atmosphere of the whole event, it’s going to be amazing! The process to get here over the past few years has been filled with some high highs and some extreme lows but I am feeling very grateful for this opportunity. Thank you so much to everyone involved.”

Isabella Holmgren is the youngest cycling athlete on the Paris 2024 Canadian Olympic Team. The 19-year-old is a two-time world junior champion, having won gold in mountain bike and cyclocross in 2023. This year, she has won two UCI U23 World Cup gold medals in mountain bike. Her older brother Gunnar Holmgren will also be making his Olympic debut this summer. He was Team Canada’s first gold medallist at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. Gunnar secured his spot on Team Canada for Paris 2024 with his eighth-place finish at the UCI Elite World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě, Czechia in late May, posting one of Canada’s best UCI World Cup results in men’s mountain bike since 2019.

“I’m very proud to soon become an Olympian, and being selected alongside my sister makes it even more special,” said Holmgren. “I’m building to my peak form over the next six weeks and I’m excited to get out there and honor the maple leaf.”

Paris 2024 will be the third Olympic appearance for Michael Woods, who finished fifth in the Tokyo 2020 road race, Canada’s second-best Olympic result ever in the event. Woods made history with his bronze medal in the road race at the 2018 UCI World Championships – the first medal by a Canadian man in the event in 34 years. The 37-year-old is also the first Canadian to ever reach the podium in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege one-day classic. In 2023, he earned his first career Tour de France stage victory.

Woods will race in Paris alongside former track cyclist Derek Gee who is coming off winning a stage of le Critérium du Dauphiné, his first international victory. Gee gained international attention with his daring breakaways and runner-up finishes in four stages at the 2023 Giro d’Italia which earned him the overall combativity award. Gee competed in the men’s madison and contributed to the fifth-place finish in the men’s team pursuit on the velodrome at Tokyo 2020.

“I’m unbelievably excited to represent Canada for my second Olympic Games in Paris this summer,” said Gee. “Tokyo 2020 was an experience of a lifetime and was a real privilege to race with the maple leaf on my back on the world’s biggest stage. Having spent some time in France already this year and seeing the build up, I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere in Paris this summer. I think it’s truly going to be unparalleled, especially at the cycling events.”

Well known internationally thanks to her historic victory at Paris-Roubaix in 2023, Alison Jackson will make her second Olympic appearance, after having competed in the women’s road race at Tokyo 2020. Earlier this year, she won a stage of the Vuelta España Femenina. She will be joined by Olivia Baril, who will make her Olympic debut. Silver medallist in the road race and the time trial at the 2023 Canadian Championships, Baril reached the podium during a stage of the 2024 Vuelta España Femenina.

After a strong season of international racing on the UCI Track Nations Cup circuit Canada is one of only three nations to qualify in every track cycling event, sending a full team of 14 athletes.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic sprint champion Kelsey Mitchell and Olympic keirin bronze medallist Lauriane Genest will look to repeat their strong performances in Paris. This time they will also compete in the team sprint alongside Sarah Orban.

“I am so excited to be heading to my second Olympic Games! The Tokyo Olympics was such an amazing experience and I will forever cherish those memories and the journey to becoming an Olympic champion,” said Mitchell. “And three years later, we are back to try and do it again. The journey to my second Olympics in Paris has been full of ups and downs. I grew a lot as a person and an athlete and I am excited to see where I am at when I get on the line. I am also looking forward to seeing my younger teammates experience their first Olympics and I know they will show up ready to represent Canada and themselves to the best of their ability. It is going to be an Olympics to remember!”

Nick Wammes will lend his Tokyo 2020 Olympic experience to teammates Tyler Rorke and James Hedgcock who will make their Olympic debuts in Paris. The trio, who won the gold medal in men’s team sprint at Santiago 2023, secured their ticket to Paris after winning bronze at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Milton, Ont. this spring.

Veterans Ariane Bonhomme and Michael Foley, who competed at their first Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020, will lead the women’s and men’s team pursuit squads with a group of teammates who will make their Olympic debuts. The endurance team features Dylan Bibic, who has continued to impress since becoming Canada’s first world champion in a men’s endurance event as he won scratch race gold in 2022. He won three gold medals during the 2024 UCI Track Nations Cup, including one in the omnium.

The quotas for BMX Freestyle will be announced on June 26. Canada is expected to receive a men’s quota spot. The selected athlete will be named at a later date.

Team Canada has won 16 Olympic cycling medals, including the two won at Tokyo 2020. BMX is the only cycling discipline in which Canada has not yet won an Olympic medal. Team Canada’s Paris 2024 cycling team includes eight athletes with previous Olympic experience and 13 Olympic rookies.

“We’re very excited to announce the team. Many of the riders are first-time Olympians. They will benefit greatly from teammates who have already been successful at the Olympics,” said Dan Proulx, Cycling Canada’s National Team Head Coach. “Anything is possible in Paris and I know each and every one of them is aiming to exceed expectations.”

BMX racing will take place August 1-2 (Day 6 to 7) at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium, while mountain bike races will take place on July 28 and 29 (Days 2 and 3) at the Elancourt Hill venue.

Road cycling begins with the individual time trials on July 27, with a start at Les Invalides and an arrival at the Pont Alexandre III. “The road races will be held on August 3 and 4 (Day 8 and 9) in with the start and finish on Pont Léna in front of the Eiffel Tower. The courses head into the countryside southwest of Paris before looping back to a city-centre circuit that climbs over the iconic cobbled streets of Montmartre three times.” Track events will be held from August 5 to 11 (Day 10 to 16) at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Vélodrome.

‘’Whether on the road, in the mountains, or on the track, Team Canada cyclists have pedaled with unwavering determination to carve out a path at the front of the pack and proudly represent Canada at Paris 2024. I am honoured to accompany this group of experienced and passionate cyclists, always ready to surpass themselves. Go Canada, saddle up! Let’s race towards Olympic glory in Paris,‘’ said Bruny Surin, Team Canada’s Paris 2024 Chef de Mission.

Team Canada’s cycling team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also includes the following:

Alternates
Teigen Pascual (Squamish, B.C.) – BMX Racing
Emilly Johnston (Comox, B.C.) – Mountain Bike
Carter Woods (Cumberland, B.C.) – Mountain Bike
Madgeleine Vallières-Mill (Sherbrooke, Que.) – Road
Simone Boilard (Quebec, Que.) – Road
Hugo Houle (Sainte-Perpetue, Que.) – Road
Guillaume Boivin (Montreal, Que.) – Road
Jackie Boyle (Toronto, Ont.) – Track Sprint
Ryan Dodyk (Edmonton, Alta.) – Track Sprint
Fiona Majendie (Vancouver, B.C.) – Track Endurance
Sean Richardson (Vancouver, B.C.) – Track Endurance
Maxime Chalifour (Montréal, QC) – BMX Freestyle

Coaches
Dan Proulx (Calgary, Atla.) – National Team Head Coach
Phil Abbott (Edmonton, Atla.) – National Team Coach
Laura Brown (North Vancouver, B.C.) – National Team Coach
Franck Durivaux (Nancy, France) – National Team Coach
Nigel Ellsay (Courtenay, B.C.) – National Team Coach
Stephen McMullan (Toronto, Ont.) – National Team Coach
Adam Muys (Maple Ridge, B.C.) – National Team Coach
Catharine Pendrel (Harvey Station, N.B.) – National Team Coach
Dave Thomas – National Team Coach

Support Staff
Kris Westwood (Ottawa, Ont.) – Team Leader
Jen Eaton (Toronto, Ont.) – Team Manager
Shelley Milton (Stittsville, Ont.) – Team Manager
Ryan Finch (Halifax, N.S.) – Mechanic
Avery Gervais (Barrie, Ont.) – Mechanic
Ryan Taylor (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) – Mechanic
Adam Trotter (North Vancouver, B.C.) – Mechanic
Jon Adams (St-Catharines, Ont.) – Therapist
Osvaldo Bolanos Medina (Toronto, Ont.) – Therapist
Sean Duquette (Toronto, Ont.) – Therapist
Goretti Font Mas (Barcelona, ESP) – Therapist
Aly Hodgins (Brampton, Ont.) – Therapist
Luc Mahler (Huntsville, Ont.) – Therapist
Dianna Moulden (Ancaster, Ont.) – Therapist
Jenn Turner (Flesherton, Ont.) – Therapist
Will George (Oakville, Ont.) – Performance Analyst

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organisations.

The latest Team Canada Paris 2024 roster can be found here.

June 25, 2024/by Communications

RAIN AND DETERMINATION DEFINE THE 2024 CANADIAN ROAD CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS (ELITE, JUNIOR, U17 AND PARA)

Ottawa, ON (June 24, 2024) – Canadian talent in the U17, junior, elite and para categories converged on St-Georges, Quebec, from June 21 to 24, to vie for one of 30 coveted titles at the 2024 Canadian Road Cycling Championships. For the first time in history, Canadian titles were also on the line for U17 athletes.

In torrential rain, athletes competed in the road race, time trial and criterium on the hilly roads of Beauce.

A first Canadian title for Woods

In the elite category, Pier-André Côté made his mark by winning the Canadian time trial title and taking second place in the road race, just behind his Israel-Premier Tech teammate Michael Woods. Although known internationally for his prowess at the Tour de France 2023, among others, this was the Ottawa-born rider’s first-ever Canadian title.

“It’s certainly a life goal, a career goal,” said Woods. “I was lucky enough to have Pier-André Côté in the breakaway with me. It was thanks to him that I was able to win today. I knew I had to attack in the hard moments, and I chose the most difficult parts of the climbs to attack as much as I could, which resulted in a perfect situation for us.”

In the criterium, victory went to Matisse Julien (Vélo Studio Toguri) in the combined U23 and elite category.

On the women’s side, triathlete Paula Findlay did it again, winning her third consecutive Canadian time trial title, Olivia Baril (Movistar) was 24 seconds behind.

“The course was a little more hilly than last year in Edmonton,” said Findlay. “It works in my favor to have a hilly course that isn’t technical, so I climbed the hills well and was able to relax on the descents. It was interesting to ride in last position, because I could see ahead of me, and I was using the riders in front of me as extra motivation.”

Baril, meanwhile, stood out in the road race, taking top honours in a sprint against silver medallist Magdeleine Vallières-Mill (EF Education-Cannondale), whose powerful attacks were felt throughout the race and whose performance in the criterium was enough to earn her the win.

Roldan triumphs in the U23 category

Taking the top step of the podium in both the time trial and the road race, Mara Roldan (Cynisca Cycling) had a near-perfect weekend in the U23 women’s category, finishing third in the overall road classification combined with the elite women, just behind Baril and Vallières-Mill.

“This weekend was special; I didn’t expect to take the top step twice,” said Roldan. “Some of these women I’ve watched on TV for the last five years of my life and to be able to run with them is an incredible opportunity.”

In the road race, it was Quentin Cowan (SCO-Dijon) who took the honors, while Jonas Walton (Ecoflo-Chronos) won the time trial title.

Volstad defends junior title

Alexandra Volstad (Team Alberta) once again proved her strength in road racing, winning a second consecutive junior title, her third in her career. On the final day of competition, she made her mark in the criterium, scoring a win in the combined U17 and junior category. She commented: “I was a bit nervous because I know there are strong girls on the hills and climbing is not my strong point, but I trained a lot to try and adapt to the course and it turned out well in the end.”

In both categories, several experienced track athletes, including Canadian track medalists Jayden McMullen, (road race), Sidney Swierenga (time trial), Alexandra Fangeat (road race) and Jake McLean (time trial) won in their respective categories.

Carl Truffer (time trial), Zachari Moreau (road race), Adam Smith (criterium) and Elly Moore (time trial) claimed their first-ever Canadian titles in their respective categories.

International Caliber in Para-cycling

Para-cycling competitions showcased Canadian talent, many of whom excelled in both time trial and road racing, including Paralympians Joey Desjardins (men’s H1-3) and Shelley Gautier (women’s T1-2), as well as Jessica Law (women’s C4-5), Maarten Duif (men’s H1-2), Katty Abran (women’s H3-5) and Benoît Lalumière-Cloutier (men’s tandem).

“Winning national championships in the time trial and road race is a testament to my dedication and preparation this season,” said Desjardins. “I feel strong and ready to take on all the challenges that lie ahead.”

The full results list can be found here. Next up on the Canadian Championships calendar is the Canadian BMX Racing Championships, to be held in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, QC, on July 6. The full calendar of national events can be found on the Events Page of the Cycling Canada website.

June 24, 2024/by Communications

ACTION IN BEAUCE FOR CANADIAN ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS (ELITE, JUNIOR, U17 AND PARA)

Ottawa, ON (June 19, 2024) – The Canadian Road Championships for Junior, Elite and Para athletes are heading to Saint-Georges, QC, from June 21-24, where over 350 athletes from all over the country will be looking to secure Canadian titles in the individual time trial, road race and criterium over four days of racing.

“Our main goal is to provide an optimal sporting platform for the athletes to express their full potential and crown the best in Canada, as well as to provide them with an adequate welcome and showcase the region to the rest of Canada,” said Françis Rancourt, General Manager of the Corporation du Grand Prix Cycliste de Beauce. “Hosting such an event, a few days after the Tour de Beauce, is a challenge for everyone, but it is also very stimulating,” he added.

For the first time in the Canadian Road Championships history, titles will be awarded to athletes in the U17 category, both in the time trial and in the road race.

The Championships kick off on Friday, June 21, with the individual time trial for all categories over distances ranging from 11 to 34 kilometers.

The road races will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, where athletes in the para categories will race on a 6.1-kilometer circuit, while the U17, junior, U23 and elite categories will race on an out-and-back course to a 27.9-kilometer loop for a course varying between 42.7 and 199.2 kilometers.

On Monday, June 24, riders in the elite and U23 (combined) and junior and U17 (combined) categories will loop around the 1.3-kilometer circuit in a bid for the criterium titles.

The competition promises to be fierce, with some of the biggest names in Canadian cycling expected to take part, including Mike Woods (Israel Premier Tech), stage winner at the Tour de France 2023, and reigning road race champion Alison Jackson (EF-Education-Cannodale), stage winner at the Vuelta España Feminina 2024 and winner of Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2023. Evolving internationally, Olivia Baril (Movistar), Magdeleine Vallières-Mill (EF-Education-Cannondale), Ava Holmgren (Lidl-Trek), Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek), Pier-André Côté (Israel Premier Tech) and Riley Pickrell (Israel Premier Tech) will be looking to make their mark while on Canadian soil for the occasion.

Medal winners at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games, Alexandre Hayward (men C3), Charles Moreau (men H3), Mike Sametz (men H3) and Nathan Clement (men T1) will be coming home to show their strength, along with Paralympian and 2022 World bronze medallist Joey Desjadins (men H3).

Many of the reigning Canadian champions, winners of the 2023 edition, will be lining up, in search of a place on the top step of the podium.

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

June 19, 2024/by Communications

MUD AND MOUNTAINS AT THE CANADIAN GRAVEL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (June 17, 2024) – The second edition of the Canadian Gravel Championships took place under the majestic scenery of the Rockies on June 16, crowning a host of new Canadian champions in the U17, junior, elite and masters categories.

The 118-kilometer race to the top of the podium began in the rain and athletes had to use their skills and grit to navigate the muddy course.

After nearly four hours, it was Quebec’s Adam Roberge who finally claimed victory in the elite men’s category, having worked with his opponent, and silver medalist, Julien Gagné. Michael Van den Ham completed the podium, 44.2 seconds behind the race leader.

“It was hard from the beginning and with the weather, it was hard to draft,” said Roberge, who has been focusing on gravel racing for the past few years. “I figured being patient would be better with that type of course. With the help of my friend Julien Gagné we were able to push the pace on every climb until there were only three remaining in the lead. We ended up battling it out on the last climb until the end, and I knew my sprint was a little bit faster.”

In the women’s category, Katja Verkerk took top honours with a time of 4 hours and 37 minutes, just ahead of Olympian Haley Smith (+2:54) and Anna Gabrielle Traxler (+4:00). The British Columbia-born athlete scored her first-ever Canadian championship victory and made no secret of her surprise.

“I’m new to racing, so I don’t know anyone,” declared Verkerk. “I tried to follow the first five to ten wheels and I followed an attack from a rider I followed for a while, until she had a mechanical, where I could pass her. I wasn’t expecting to put a Canadian jersey on today, so it’s kind of crazy.”

Reigning Canadian champion in the Masters 35-44 category, John Vanderveen once again claimed the win. However, the jersey was awarded to new recipients in all other categories, crowning Mitchell Williams (men U17), Lydia Stack-Michasiw (women U17), Colton Zabolotney (junior men), Nico Knoll (junior women), Jenn Proche (women 35-44), Dan Wood (men 45-54), Elizabeth Stack (women 45-54), Greg Clark (men 55-64), Ewa Siarka (women 55-64) and Gregory Patychuk (men 65+).

The full results list can be found here. Next up on the Canadian Championships calendar is the Canadian Road Championships (Elite, Junior, Para), to be held on June 21-24. The full calendar of national events can be found on the Events Page of the Cycling Canada website.

June 17, 2024/by Communications

CANADIAN GRAVEL CHAMPIONSHIPS HEAD TO ALBERTA

Ottawa, ON (June 13, 2024) – Athletes from across the country are heading to Water Valley, AB, to take part in the Canadian Gravel Championships on June 16, 2024, hosted by Deadgoat Racing.

Junior, elite and masters categories will tackle the 118km course, for a total of 6800 feet of total elevation, overlooking Alberta’s awe-inspiring scenery.

“We are thrilled to head west for the second-ever hosting of the Canadian Gravel Championships, hosted in conjunction with the longstanding Ghost of the Gravel event.” said Josh Peacock, Director of Marketing and Events at Cycling Canada. “The course – nestled in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies – will set a challenging stage for the nation’s best as they seek the Canadian Champion title and coveted maple leaf jersey.”

The big names in cyclo-cross and mountain biking will meet in Water Valley, as Olympian and Canadian Marathon Mountain Bike (XCM) champion Haley Smith and fellow Canadian XCM champion Andrew Lesperance will line up behind the tape. Tyler Clark, Christiane Bilodeau, Ella Myers, Sidney McGill, Sean Fincham and Adam Roberge, all members of the National Team over the years will be on hand.

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

June 13, 2024/by Communications

SHOWING OF PASSION AT UCI BMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (May 21, 2024) – Team Canada showed resilience at the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Rock Hill, USA.

Despite bad luck – including crashes and collisions in the various rounds, the Canadian athletes were nevertheless satisfied with their performances. Ryan Tougas, of Pitt Meadows, BC, scored Canada’s best result with a 12th position in the Elite Men category, after being edged out in semi-finals.

“What an emotional roller coaster, through the mud, the blood and the tears,” commented National Team Coach Adam Muys. “I’m so proud of our athletes, they raced hard and with passion. Thanks to our team for having them on form. We had the speed; we just didn’t get the breaks. We’ll carry on and come back stronger.”

Thomas Jodoin (U23 Men) of Trois-Rivières, QC, Thessalie Bruneau (Junior Women) of La Tuque, QC, Emily Bell (Junior Women) of Nanoose Bay, BC, and Molly Simpson (Elite Women) of Red Deer, AB, all made it through the quarterfinals, where they saw their 2024 World Championships journey come to an end.

Expected to reach the final, Simpson, who had achieved two fourth place finishes in the World Cup earlier this year, was the victim of a collision, shattering her chances of advancing further.

Full results from the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships can be found here.

Team Canada – Results
Junior Women
Emily Bell (Nanoose Bay, BC) – 23
Thessalie Bruneau (La Tuque, QC) – 22
Victoria Dubé (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC) – 29

Junior Men
Ryley Cofield (Nanaimo, BC) – 25
Andrew Colling (Kingston, ON) – 36

U23 Women
Keira Murphy (Nanaimo, BC) – 27
Abygale Reeve (Airdrie, AB) – 29

U23 Men
Thomas Jodoin (Trois-Rivières, QC) – 19
Dylan Tremel (Calgary, AB) – 29

Elite Women
Molly Simpson (Red Deer, AB) – 28

Elite Men
Ryan Tougas (Pitt Meadows, BC) – 12
Riley Meyer-Clement (Boischatel, QC) – 63

May 21, 2024/by Communications

CANADA GEARS UP FOR 2024 UCI BMX RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ROCK HILL

Ottawa, ON (May 9, 2024) – Cycling Canada is sending a team of 12 athletes to compete at the 2024 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Rock Hill, USA, on May 12-16.

After scoring two fourth place finishes in the first rounds of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup series, the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games silver medallist Molly Simpson will line up with a specific goal in mind.

“The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are in sight,” said Simpson. “I am heading into World Championships with the goal of riding technically smooth and aware, which will help me for Paris as the Olympic track is big and technical. I also want to soak up the atmosphere, as the vibe will be close to competing in the Olympics, as well as keeping myself in check and in the present moment.”

She will be joined by fellow Canadian Champions Ryan Tougas (Elite Men) and Thomas Jodoin (U23 Men), as well as the 2023 Junior Women Canadian Champion, Keira Murphy, now eyeing success in the U23 category.

Emily Bell, Victoria Dubé and Ryley Cofield will make their World Championships debut in the Junior category, alongside teammates Thessalie Bruneau and Andrew Colling.

More than 300 athletes ranging from age 8 to 62 will be taking part in the BMX Challenge World Championships, starting on May 10. Competition for the UCI classes start on May 12 and continues over the week. All information, including start lists and live timing, is available here.

Team Canada
Junior Women
Emily Bell – Nanoose Bay, BC
Thessalie Bruneau – La Tuque, QC
Victoria Dubé – Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC

Junior Men
Ryley Cofield – Nanaimo, BC
Andrew Colling – Kingston, ON

U23 Women
Keira Murphy – Nanaimo, BC
Abygale Reeve – Airdrie, AB

U23 Men
Thomas Jodoin – Trois-Rivières, QC
Dylan Tremel – Calgary, AB

Elite Women
Molly Simpson – Red Deer, AB

Elite Men
Ryan Tougas – Pitt Meadows, BC
Riley Meyer-Clement – Boischatel, QC

May 9, 2024/by Communications

SEVEN PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL SPORT ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE FUNDING TO SUPPORT HOPON YOUTH CYCLING FESTIVALS

Ottawa, ON (May 7, 2024) – Cycling Canada has partnered with seven Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations with its new approved initiative for the 2023-2024 Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI), which will focus on supporting HopOn sustainability and capacity at the provincial/territorial level.

With the support from the Government of Canada’s Sport Support Program, Cycling BC, Manitoba Cycling Association, Cycling Nova Scotia, Cycling PEI, Vélo New Brunswick, Fédération québecoise des sports cyclistes and Ontario Cycling will launch HopOn Youth Cycling festivals across the country. This funding will support the 74+ festivals to over 10,000 participants who will be provided resources and tools to continue their cycling journey beyond the festivals.

“Now in our second year of delivering HopOn in Prince Edward Island, the CSAI funding is giving us the opportunity to bring the joys of cycling skillfully to many more kids across the Island this year,” said Jordan Bober, Cycling PEI Executive Director. “At a time of rising living costs, our partner organizations and communities are so excited to have the opportunity to bring free and low-cost recreational activities to the people they serve – especially those who have traditionally been underserved, which in PEI includes many children living in rural areas.”

A component of the funding is directed towards youth cycling festivals to promote cycling and the HopOn program and the second component is directed at supporting long term sustainability at the provincial/territorial level.

This project aims to reach the following underserved groups: Indigenous, Newcomer, Persons with a Disability, Racialized, Low-Income, Black and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities and has been made possible in part through the Government of Canada’s financial programs, with the objective of removing barriers and increasing sport participation rates for underrepresented groups.

Discover the full list of HopOn festivals here.

May 7, 2024/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH GLOBAL RELAY

Ottawa, ON (April 30, 2024) – Global Relay and Cycling Canada have renewed their long-term partnership to develop cycling in Canada and help the country become one of the world’s top cycling nations. The four-year partnership extension will continue to focus on sponsorship of the Canadian National Cycling Team.

In addition to its partnership with Cycling Canada, Global Relay will become the official support of the HopOn Program which is aiming to provide access to cycling to kids across Canada, while also becoming the title sponsor of the Global Relay Gastown HopOn Festival as part of the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix, an event that it has supported and operated in downtown Vancouver since 2012.

“As a company committed to innovation and founded on passion, the sport of cycling embodies our values of integrity, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence,” says Warren Roy, Founder and CEO of Global Relay. “Together with Cycling Canada, we are thrilled to expand on our partnership and continue the important work of supporting the Canadian cycling community, especially young rising athletes through the HopOn Youth Cycling Program and Global Relay’s own Bridge the Gap Fund.”

Cycling Canada will roll out an extensive Employee Engagement program with Global Relay, including a staff-focused Global Relay Cycling Club which will include a regular cadence of club road rides, and regular workshops to galvanize the staff around cycling.

“We are thrilled to enter into a renewed 4-year partnership with Global Relay” added Josh Peacock, Director of Marketing and Events at Cycling Canada. “Since the outset of this partnership, Global Relay has continued to support the growth and development of cycling at all levels. The recent expansion of this partnership to the HopOn grassroots program demonstrates Global Relay’s holistic commitment to enhancing the sport for cyclists at every aspect of their competitive or recreational journey, including continued support at the highest level.”

The partnership will take place until 2028.

April 30, 2024/by Communications

A THIRD MEDAL FOR CANADA AT THE 2024 TISSOT UCI TRACK NATIONS CUP IN MILTON

Milton, ON (April 14, 2024) – Lauriane Genest added a bronze medal to the Canadian team’s tally on the final day of competition at the Tissot UCI Track Nations Cup on April 14, 2024, in Milton, ON.

Genest Uses Patience to Take Bronze

In search of redemption after her fourth-place finish in the team sprint and fifth-place finish in the individual sprint, the Olympic bronze medallist in the keirin was looking for a podium finish on the final day of competition at home. She accomplished her mission brilliantly, taking bronze 0.133s behind reigning world champion Ellesse Andrews (NZL). Steffie van der Peet took silver.

“I had to be really patient in the final,” commented Lauriane Genest. “When I saw that I was sixth with one lap to go, I didn’t really believe that I could go up in front, but things fell into place, and I really gave it my all in the last lap. The medal solidifies that I’m capable of doing well in the keirin, especially as I won bronze in Australia last month.”

Kelsey Mitchell said she was surprised by her weekend of competition at home, as she would have liked more opportunities to get her legs moving. The multi-medal winner of the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Nations Cup at home was unable to reach the podium for this final round, having to settle for seventh place in the final for places 7-12, which she won with flying colors.

“It wasn’t what I expected, my legs were more present than I thought, but I didn’t execute well on sprint day,” commented Mitchell. “I leave satisfied and very proud of every Canadian, as we are on track to qualify the greatest team of all time for the Olympics.”

After a crash in qualifying, Ontario’s Jackie Boyle entered the repechage, where her day ended prematurely.

Coles-Lyster in Great Shape in the Omnium

Accumulating top-10s in every race of the cumulative omnium event, Maggie Coles-Lyster was in fourth place going into the final points race. The two points she accumulated there were not enough to improve her overall position, finishing sixth with 95 points.

Katie Archibald (GBR) collected a total of 131 points for the win, followed by Letizia Paternoster (ITA) with 111 points and world champion Jennifier Valente (USA) with 107 points.

Nick Wammes on a Roll

Tokyo 2020 Olympian Nick Wammes, who had an excellent day on April 13 by reaching the keirin final, achieved the best Canadian result in the individual sprint earning his place in the round of 16, where his day ended following his defeat by France’s Sébastien Vigier.

Ryan Dodyk, Tyler Rorke and rookie Cole Dempster, aged just seventeen, were unable to advance to the final rounds.

Reigning world champion Harrie Lavreysen (NED) took gold, while Jair Tjon En Fa (SUR) and Nicholas Paul (TTO) finished second and third.

Guillemette and Foley Satisfied Despite a Crash

Mathias Guillemette and Michael Foley teamed up for the Madison race, where they finished 11th. Although they had accumulated a point at the end of the 200 laps, they were overtaken by the field, taking 20 points off their total. They finished the race with a score of -19.

Belgium took top honors, closely followed by the Netherlands with silver and Portugal in third place.

“The form was there to stay on the same lap as the others, but with the collision it was a bit difficult to stay with the pack,” commented Guillemette.

Canada ends this final Olympic qualifier in a strong position, with a total of three medals won on Canadian soil and multiple spots secured in the Olympic track events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Cycling Canada thanks Sport Canada for the valuable support provided by the International Single Sport Events (ISSE) – Hosting Program. The ISSE aims to enhance high performance sport development as well as the profile of Canadian sport organizations through the domestic hosting of international single sport events.

Full results can be found here. For more information on the 2024 Tissot UCI Track Nations Cup Milton, visit www.tncmilton.com.

April 14, 2024/by Communications