OTTAWA, ON (September 5, 2026) – Canadian athletes delivered exceptional performances today at the 2026 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, as Michael Sametz and Alexandre Hayward powered their way onto the Men’s C3 Individual Time Trial podium, earning silver and bronze medals for Team Canada.
Competing against the world’s top para-cyclists in Huntsville, Alabama, Sametz delivered a standout ride to earn the silver medal, while Hayward secured bronze with another impressive performance in the MC3 category. Sametz stopped the clock in 36:33.30 to claim silver, while Hayward’s time of 37:03.18 secured the bronze medal and completed Canada’s double podium performance.
The result adds another milestone to the impressive careers of both athletes. For Sametz, the silver medal builds on an accomplished international resume that includes Paralympic bronze in the C3 time trial at Rio 2016 and back-to-back UCI Para-cycling Road World Championship titles in 2017 and 2018. After overcoming illness and injury that sidelined him for several seasons, the Calgary athlete made a remarkable return to elite competition in 2023, earning bronze medals at both the World Championships in Glasgow and the Santiago Parapan American Games to re-establish himself among the world’s top para-cyclists.
“I felt very fast on the first lap. It seemed like everything was lining up, and then on the second lap I almost fell off halfway through, but I hung on and kept my head tucked to hold the speed as much as possible,” said Sametz. “It seemed to work! It was a hot race, but I’m very happy with the result after the last couple of years.”
Hayward has continued to establish himself among Canada’s top para-cyclists in recent years. The Quispamsis, N.B. rider had an incredible 2025 season, winning the C3 Individual Time Trial world title and adding a bronze medal in the road race at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships. He carried that impressive form into 2026, collecting podium finishes at both World Cup stops in Gistel, Belgium, and Abruzzo, Italy, and arriving in Huntsville as one of the leading contenders in the MC3 field.
Hayward highlighted, “I’m really happy with third place. And if you’re going to finish third, you want to see athletes ahead of you who you know earned it, and that’s exactly what happened today. Standing on the podium with another Canadian is incredibly special, and it’s something I’m proud of.”
With two medals already secured, Team Canada has made a powerful start to competition and will look to carry that momentum into the remaining events in Huntsville. For full results from the 2026 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships, click here.
