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CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES CANADIAN CYCLING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES FOR 2017

OTTAWA, July 26, 2017 – Established in 2015, the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding achievement and contribution to cycling racing in or for Canada. There are currently two categories of membership in the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame: Athletes and Builders. At present, sixteen members have been inducted to the Hall of Fame; fourteen athletes and two builders that were selected in 2015 and 2016.

The class of 2017 includes three athletes and one builder who will be recognized at the annual Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame celebrations to be held on Sunday, October 1st at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton in conjunction with the Canadian Track Championships.  The athlete inductees are Gary Longhi, Karen Strong and Steve Smith and the builder is Albert Schelstraete-Coulier.

Gary Longhi, para-cyclist and multi-time paralympian led Canadian cyclists at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games winning a gold medal in the Individual Time Trial (ITT) and a bronze in the Road Race.  He was a silver medalist in the ITT at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games and was the flag bearer for the Canadian Paralympic Team at the opening ceremonies for the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney.  

Albert Schelstraete-Coulier’s cycling career covered many facets including racing but his recognition as a builder comes about due to his leading role in two specific areas.  He served as the President of the Canadian Wheelmen’s Association (1952-1957) and later as the President of the Canadian Cycling Association (1972-1974).  In addition to this, he built the Delhi, ON velodrome in 1939 and the first portable track in 1948 and went on to build numerous tracks in North America from 1948 to 1975.

Karen Strong is a recognized forerunner for many of Canada’s top road athletes.  As the first Canadian woman to win medals at the Track World Championships her bronze medal in 1977 and silver in 1980 paved the way for future Canadian successes in the discipline.  In addition to several international podiums, Karen dominated the Canadian Road Cycling Championships from 1975 to 1982.  Following her incredible competitive career she served as the first full-time women’s coach for the national body.

Steve Smith, Canada’s greatest downhill mountain biker, tragically lost his life in May of 2016 as the result of a motocross accident.  From 2004 to 2013 Stevie’s legend grew, culminating in being the 2013 World Cup Champion. Included in his three win’s in 2013 was a memorable gold medal run on home soil at Mont-Ste-Anne, QC which contributed to him being named Cyclist of the Year for 2013.  After two injury-plagued seasons in 2014 and 2015 he came back in early 2016 with a World Cup podium at Lourdes, FRA to start his final season.

The Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame celebrations will be held on Sunday, October 1st at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON. The event will kick-off in the morning with the 2nd annual Ride with Legends presented by Lexus where guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a VIP, fully-supported road ride in the Halton Hills alongside many of Canada’s Hall of Fame inductees as well as current National Team athletes. The ride will be followed by the induction luncheon where the 2017 class will be honoured and celebrated. 

When:                         Sunday, October 1st from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm

Where:                        RattleSnake Point Golf Club (Milton, ON)

Info & Tickets:           https://hoponcanada.ca/product/ridewithlegends/

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NORCO FACTORY RACING WINS TEAM RELAY

CANMORE, July 24, 2017 – The Canadian Mountain Bike Championships p/b Lexus concluded on Sunday in Canmore, Alberta, with the Team Relay competition.  The Norco Factory Team decisively won the title, finishing almost two minutes ahead of Team Quebec, with Pivot Cycle – OTE finishing third.

The Team Relay consists of four rider teams, with each rider riding one cross-country lap flat out.  Each team contains an Elite Man, Under-23 Man, Junior Man and Elite Woman.  Teams can send their riders off in any order, and tactics make up a large part of the race, with some teams sending their fastest riders first, hoping to hold onto the lead at the end when their slower riders go.  Another tactic is to save the fastest riders until last, hoping that they can catch the other teams.

Norco had a team stacked with Championship medal winners, and was the favourite.  Under-23 bronze medalist Quinton Disera went first, followed by Junior silver medalist Gunnar Holmgren, then Elite women’s bronze medalist Haley Smith, and finally Elite men’s champion Peter Disera.  The team took the lead in the opening lap and was never challenged.

Team Quebec had an impressive ride for second, after losing their Elite man to illness before the race, requiring Under-23 rider Felix Longpre to do two laps.  Team Quebec overtook Pivot Cycle – OTE on the third lap to move into second.

“It’s kind of like a time trial,” said Haley Smith of Norco, “and it’s just 12 minutes of absolute suffering.  But it is pretty special because you know you are racing for your team, for each other, and that’s a unique feeling in mountain biking.  I think our team has really built something as a team this year, and we really rely on each other, so it’s fun to be able to reap the benefits of our tight knit team in this event.”

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BATTY AND DISERA TAKE CANADIAN XC TITLES

CANMORE, July 23, 2017 – After a six year absence, the Canadian Mountain Bike Championships p/b Lexus returned to Canmore, Alberta, on Saturday.  In the Elite categories, Emily Batty (Trek Factory) of Brooklin, Ontario, successfully defended her women’s title, while Peter Disera (Norco Factory) of Horseshoe Valley, Ontario, upset the men’s field while riding up a category from his usual Under-23 category.

The Canmore Nordic Centre, site of the 1988 Olympic cross-country skiing events, remains as spectacular as ever, with a backdrop of the Kananaskis Country mountains leading into the Banff National Park.

The circuit has been revised substantially from when the Championships were held in 2010 and 2011, reflecting the change to shorter courses at the World Cup and world championship level.  The previous course measured 6.8 kilometres, while current circuit is four kilometres in length, looping back into the main finish bowl area multiple times.

As expected, the women’s race came down to Canada’s top two riders – Batty and Catharine Pendrel (Clif Pro Team) of Kamloops, BC.  The pair quickly distanced the rest of the field on the first half lap, with Haley Smith (Norco Factory) of Uxbridge, Ontario, moving into third and holding that position through the rest of the race.

Batty and Pendrel rode together through the entire race until the final half lap, when Batty attacked on a climb, dropping her rival and winning her third Elite title.

“It was not an easy race by any means,” agreed Batty.  “I rode my hardtail, and I was questioning a little bit whether that was the right choice because it is such a technical and bumpy course, but it was rocking up the climbs.  Catharine didn’t make it easy; the two of us set a really high pace right from the start.  I found through the course of the race that I was feeling really good.  I knew I was going to put an effort in on one of the climbs at some point, and I chose a spot where I felt strong and punched it.”

The men’s race had no clear favorite.  Among the contenders were Leandre Bouchard (BH SR Suntour KMC) of Alma, Quebec, and former champion Raphael Gagne (Cannondale-3Rox) of Quebec City, Quebec.  Disera, although an Under-23 aged rider, has four top-10 finishes on the World Cup (U23) circuit this season, and decided to ‘ride up’ a category, in hopes of gaining valuable UCI ranking points with a top-5 result.

He attacked on the first climb, with only Bouchard able to follow.  Gagne bridged up on the second lap, and Bouchard was dropped by the other two on the fourth lap.  From that point on, Disera and Gagne rode together, neither able to open a gap on the other.  It looked like it was going to come down to a sprint finish, until Gagne made a mistake on one of the final descents, going down hard and leaving the door open for Disera to cruise in to the national title.

“I felt really good and Dre [Bouchard] went with me,” said Disera.  “Coming into the second lap, Raph came out of nowhere, so there were three of us.  Going into the last three laps I started throwing down attacks and Dre just fell off the back.  I felt good and wanted to dictate the pace so I stayed at the front.  I knew Raph was going to attack and I was able to follow and then get to the front before the descent.  Unfortunately he had a little mishap, but I was ready for a sprint.”

In other categories, Jenn Jackson (AWI Racing) of Oro Medonte, Ontario, won the Women’s Under-23 title, while Sean Fincham (Forward Racing-Norco) of Squamish, BC, was the Under-23 Men’s champion.  Roxanne Vermette (Equipe du Quebec) of St-Ferrol-les-Neiges, Quebec, won the Junior Women’s title, with Charles-Antoine St-Onge (Equipe du Quebec) of St-Denis-de-Brompton, Quebec, becoming the Junior Men’s champion.

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XCO NATIONALS RETURN TO CANMORE

CANMORE, July 20, 2017 – For the first time since 2011, the Canadian XCO Championships return to Canmore, Alberta, on July 22-23.  The Canmore venue, site of the 1988 Olympic cross-country skiing events, remains as spectacular as ever, with a backdrop of the Kananaskis Country Mountains leading into the Banff National Park.

While the area has been spared the terrible forest fires ravaging the B.C. interior, riders can expect warm, dry conditions.  The circuit has been revised substantially from when the Championships were held in 2010 and 2011, reflecting the change to shorter courses at the World Cup and world championship level.  The previous course measured 6.8 kilometres, while current circuit is four kilometres in length, looping back into the main finish bowl area multiple times.

Race Director Ron Sadesky says, “Canmore is excited to host the 2017 Mountain Bike National Championships.  This year’s course is perhaps one of the best ever National’s courses, featuring a clover leaf design full of technical features and grueling climbs.  It is a 4 kilometre course that utilizes the natural landscape and rugged beauty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.”

“A lot of thought and creativity went into the layout and design of the course and we are thrilled with the outcome.  The buzz around the Canmore Mountain Bike community has been all very exciting and positive.  The athletes we have talked to are also thrilled with the natural features and the complexity of the course design.  The fact that the course offers incredible and numerous spectator options makes for an intense viewing spectacle.”

The Cross-country championships for men and women will take place on Saturday, July 22nd, for categories ranging from Cadet (Under-17) through Junior (Under-19), Under-23, Elite and Masters.  On Sunday, July 23rd, the Team Relay event will conclude the Championships.

In the Elite women’s race, expect to see a battle between Olympians Emily Batty (Trek Factory) and Catharine Pendrel (Clif Pro Team).  Pendrel won the title here in both 2010 and 2011 while Batty, a first year Elite in 2011, finished third that year.  However, Batty is now the defending champion and has had a stronger season thus far on the World Cup circuit.  Other podium possibles are Sandra Walter (Liv Giant), Catherine Fleury (Specialized Canada), Haley Smith (Norco Factory) and Cindy Montambault (Equipe du Quebec).

The men’s race has a deep field of contenders, including defending champion Derek Zandstra (Cannondale-3Rox) and his team mate Raphael Gagne, top Canadian World Cup ranked Leandre Bouchard (BH SR Suntour KMC), Evan Guthrie (Team Solo Evan), and the Forward Racing duo of Andrew L’Esperance and Evan McNeely.  The unknown factor is Geoff Kabush (Scott-Maxxis).  Kabush retired from World Cup competition at the end of last season, but is still a strong contender, coming off a win last week at the B.C. Bike Race stage race.  Kabush won here in 2010 and was second in 2011.

“We are very excited to return to Canmore for the 2017 Canadian XCO Championships,” says Josh Peacock, Competitions Coordinator at Cycling Canada.  “Organizers have been hard at work over the past 12-plus months, creating brand new trails and features that will take advantage of the rugged terrain that the Canmore Nordic Centre is known for. Riders should expect a race loop full of punchy climbs and technical descents mixed with plenty of double track for optimal passing opportunities.”

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TEAM CANADA OPENS TOUR DE L’ABITIBI WITH A WIN

AMOS, July 19, 2017 – Team Canada came into the Tour de l’Abitibi with Canadian champions for Road, Time Trial and Criterium, and they are already showing their strength, with Criterium champion Kurt Penno winning the opening stage on Tuesday and donning the Yellow Jersey as race leader.  Penno also won the Sprint Challenge competition on Monday evening.

The 119 kilometre stage from Rouyn-Noranda to Amos saw six riders break away and manage to hold off the field until the finish line, with Penno outkicking Nicholas Diniz (Team Ontario) and Riley Sheehan (Team USA).  Other Canadians in the break were Robin Plamondon (Quebec) in fifth and Guillaume Davidson (Team Canada) in sixth.  The peloton finished at 32 seconds.

“We were trying to work as a team and cover breakaways,” explained Penno.  “It just happened that the breakaway I covered ended up sticking and staying away. The American [Sheehan] and I rolled away and then the others joined us.  At the finish I had good legs, and I just gave it everything I had, and it went in our favour.  I went pretty hard, but I do have some left for the rest of the week.  It’s a good feeling, knowing that I haven’t gone too deep.  I didn’t expect this [to win] right off the gun, so it’s quite awesome.”

After time bonuses, Penno now leads Diniz by five seconds and Sheehan by seven seconds.  Penno also holds the Points Jersey, with 32 points to 24 for Diniz.  Sheehan leads the White Jersey (First Year) competition, as well as the one for the Climber’s Jersey (tied at five points with Ama Nsek (Stradling p/b Specialized) of Luxembourg.  Team Canada leads Team USA by 24 seconds in the team classification.

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CYCLING CANADA, OCA, THE UCI AND CANADIAN ATHLETE KRISTEN WORLEY SETTLE HUMAN RIGHTS APPLICATION TO PROMOTE INCLUSIVE SPORTING ENVIRONMENTS

Kristen Worley has settled her human rights application with Cycling Canada, the Ontario Cycling Association and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Worley sought changes to the policies, guidelines, rules and processes surrounding XY female athletes, gender verification and therapeutic use of required hormones that are captured by anti-doping regulations.

“Today, I am satisfied that the sport of cycling in Canada and internationally have committed to help advocate for issues facing XY female athletes,” said Worley. “My vision encourages sport and the Olympic Movement to do what it is supposed to do best: harmonizing and celebrating through sport the magic and enormity of our human diversity.”

As a result of the settlement, Cycling Canada and the Ontario Cycling Association have agreed to:

• Review and revise internal policies to embrace human rights;
• Launch awareness and education related to diversity of participants;
• Advocate for the establishment of standards and guidelines related to XY female athletes based in objective scientific research;
• Advocate for individualized Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) conducted by medical personnel with subject-matter expertise;
• Solicit CCES, COC, Sport Canada, Commonwealth Games Federation and the Canadian Minister of Sport to advance this advocacy message to international bodies such as WADA and the IOC.

Brenda Culbert, Worley’s lawyer from the Human Rights Legal Support Centre, praised Worley’s “unrelenting advocacy to raise complex issues in the international and national arena that intersect sport, science, gender and human rights.”

Ms. Worley has been a leader in her efforts to raise awareness and education in human rights in Canadian and international sport. Cycling Canada and the Ontario Cycling Association recognize the importance of advancing these advocacy initiatives at home and abroad. As a result, Cycling Canada and the Ontario Cycling Association are reviewing and revising their policies to embrace human rights and are embarking on a program of awareness and education related to diversity and inclusion of all participants.

The OCA and CC are pleased with the agreement with Ms. Worley and are looking forward to continuing to advocate for the development and inclusion of all athletes of Cycling in Canada and internationally.

The UCI will support an advocacy initiative to encourage sport’s governing bodies, at the highest level, to adopt policies and guidelines that are based in objective scientific research and responsive to the individualized needs of XY female athletes.

 

The Human Rights Legal Support Centre provides free legal assistance to people in communities across Ontario who believe they have experienced discrimination contrary to Ontario’s Human Rights Code.

Founded on April 14, 1900, in Paris, France, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body for cycling. Its mission consists of developing and overseeing cycling in all its form, for all people. From a competitive sport, as a healthy recreational activity, as means of transport, and also just for fun.

Cycling Canada exists to pursue world class results by leading high performance programs and enabling the development of athletes.

The Ontario Cycling Association is the provincial governing body for the sport of cycling in Ontario. They develop, promote and deliver quality programs and events for recreational riders through to competitive racers.

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NIEUWOLD & VIALLE WIN MARATHON TITLES

EAST HEREFORD, July 18, 2017 – Elyse Nieuwold (Angry Johnny’s Evolution p/b Norco & Horseshoe) of Newmarket, Ontario repeated as the women’s champion at the 2017 Marathon (XCM) Canadian Championships on Sunday, in East Hereford, Quebec.  In the men’s category, Alexandre Vialle (Toyota St-Eustache) of Prevost, Quebec, took his first Marathon title in the men’s category.

The 82 kilometre race, the longest event in the cross-country discipline, saw the race open with a long climb, punctuated by sections of singletrack.  After a descent at the 30 kilometre mark, riders began a series of climbs to the highest point of the course at 864 metres, 60 kilometres into the race, before descending steadily to the finish line.

Nieuwold was clearly the strongest rider in the women’s field, finishing with a time of four hours, 44 minutes and 55 seconds, a time that would have put her 13th among the men.  Nieuwold finished nearly four minutes ahead of team mate Heather Gray, of Kanata, Ontario, the 2015 Marathon champion.  Caroline Villeneuve (Le Pedalier) of Quebec City, Quebec, was third, a further 58 seconds back, finishing in the same position as 2016.

Vialle was the only rider to crack the four hour barrier, finishing with a time of three hours, 57 minutes and 11 seconds.  In second place, almost 20 minutes back, was Cory Wallace (Kona), the 24 Hour Solo world champion, who finished second last year.  In third place, 41 seconds behind Wallace, was Marc-André Daigle, of Montreal, Quebec.

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MILLER & MCDOWALL REPEAT AS DOWNHILL CHAMPIONS

PANORAMA, July 18, 2017 – After a three year absence, the Canadian Downhill Championships returned to Panorama, BC, for the awarding of the maple leaf jerseys that winners will wear around the world when they compete over the next 12 months.  Repeating as champions in the Elite category were Miranda Miller (Specialized Gravity) of Squamish, BC, for the women, and Kirk McDowall of Anmore, BC, for the men.

Miller, who has successfully come back from injury in an early season crash, beat fellow World Cup competitor Vaea Verbeeck (Rocky Mountain/Hope Technology) of Vancouver, BC, in qualifying, and did the same again in the final, recording a winning time of three minutes and 49.29 seconds, over two seconds faster than Verbeeck.  Georgia Astle of Whistler, BC, was third.  Kyleigh Stewart of Kamloops, BC, was the only Junior woman competitor.

“It was a good day,” said Miller.  “I’ve had kind of a rough past month, so I’ve been focussed on this event.  It was a fun track but conditions made it tough; very dry, blown out and changing every run.  You had to stay focused all the way down.”

In the men’s final, McDowall showed that last year’s win was no fluke, beating World Cup rider Mark Wallace (Canyon Factory) of Duncan, BC, by nearly three seconds, with a time of three minutes and 11.62 seconds.  Wallace, who had qualified first but flatted during his Final run, is currently ranked sixth in the World Cup standings.  Magnus Manson (Kona Factory) of Sunshine Coast, BC, was third.

In the Junior men’s competition, the absence of defending champion Finnley Iles (Specialized Gravity), the current world and World Cup champion, opened the way for a new winner, with Kendall McLean of Victoria, BC, taking the title with a time of three minutes and 24.04 seconds, good enough for 12th place in Elite men.  Blake Bunting (C4 Norco) of Vancouver, BC, was the top qualifier, but had to settle for the silver medal, with Jacob Stefiuk (C4 Norco) of North Vancouver, BC, finishing third.

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NATIONALS CHAMPIONS LEAD TEAM CANADA FOR TOUR DE L’ABITIBI

AMOS, July 18, 2017 – Cycling Canada has selected a strong team to represent Canada for the 49th edition of Tour de l’Abitibi, the only North American stop on the internationally sanctioned Nations Cup series for Junior men, which takes place July 17-23 in the Abitibi-Temiscamingue region of Quebec.

The team includes national champions from all three road disciplines – road race champion Charles-Etienne Chretien, time trial champion Graydon Staples and national criterium champion Kurt Penno.

“We have a strong, balanced team for this tour,” said Kevin Field, Road Head Coach at Cycling Canada.  “All-rounders, time trialers and sprinters. The guys represent a cross-section of athletes from across the country and they showed a lot of consistency at Nationals – they’ll race really well.  I’m really excited to work with Pascal [Choquette], who will be main Canadian DS [Directeur Sportif] on this project; he knows this race inside-out. The collaboration with our provinces has been fantastic this year, and Abitibi is an extension of that work.”

“For me this is another opportunity to reconnect with Junior racing. I plan to work with all the Canadian teams here in parts through the week. It will help me get to know the athletes, coaches, and builders, and make more informed decisions about our upcoming Junior World Championship selection and, most importantly, better understand the needs we have as a country to support ongoing Junior development.”

Charles-Etienne Chretien – Amos, QC
Michael Foley – Milton, ON
Graydon Staples – Oro-Medonte, ON
Vivien Rindisbacher – Toronto, ON
Kurt Penno – Winnipeg, MB
Guillaume Davidson – Trois Rivières, QC

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MOUNTAIN BIKE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS BEGIN THIS WEEKEND

OTTAWA, July 14, 2017 – Two weekends of Canadian Mountain Bike Championships begin this weekend with the Downhill (DHI) and Marathon (XCM) championships.  One week later, the Cross-country (XCO) championships will take place.

The XCM Championships return to East Hereford, Quebec, on July 15th, where riders will compete in the longest endurance discipline of mountain biking, the Marathon.  The race opens with a long climb, punctuated by sections of singletrack.  After a descent at the 30 kilometre mark, riders began a series of climbs to the highest point of the course at 864 metres, 60 kilometres into the race, before descending steadily to the finish line.

The defending champions are Elyse Nieuwold of Newmarket, Ontario for the women, while multi-time XCO and Cyclo-cross champion Geoff Kabush (Scott-Maxxis) of North Vancouver, BC, won the men’s.  Kabush will not defend his title, since he is just finishing up the B.C. Bike Race stage race.

“We are excited to once again return to the East Hereford region of Quebec for the 2017 edition of the Canadian Cross Country Marathon Championships,” said Josh Peacock, Event Coordinator for Cycling Canada.  “As a part of the greater FestivAllezY Jean-D’Avignon, riders at both the competitive and recreational levels will be treated to some of the best terrain the region has to offer. We expect both familiar faces and new challengers to compete for the coveted maple leaf jersey, and look forward to some great competition.”

The Downhill Championships will be held at the well-known venue of Panorama, BC, which has a long history of producing top level competition.

“We are very excited to have Panorama Mountain Resort play host to the 2017 Canadian Downhill Championships,” said Peacock.  “Hosted in conjunction with the Dunbar Summer Series of events, the weekend will provide racers and spectators alike a chance to experience the best downhill racing Canada has to offer at one of Canada’s prime mountain resorts. With Canada’s biggest names in Downhill present, we expect competition to be tight, and the course to have the technical challenges Panorama is known to offer.”

The competition will begin on Saturday, July 15th, with official seeding runs for Men and Women in the Elite and Junior categories.  Sunday, July 16th, the Championship races will take place for all categories.  Canadian red and white maple leaf jerseys will be awarded for both women and men in Under-17, Junior (17-18), Elite (19+) and Masters age group categories (30-39, 40-49 and 50+ for men, 30+ for women).

Among the athletes expected to be in attendance are World Cup professional riders Miranda Miller (Specialized), the defending women’s champion, Vaea Verbeeck, seventh at the most recent World Cup, and Mark Wallace (Canyon Factory), who is currently ranked sixth in the world.

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