Photo: Sara Kempner
OTTAWA, ON (July 27, 2026) — The 2026 Canadian Downhill Mountain Bike Championships took place in Sun Peaks, BC, as part of the Dunbar Summer Series, bringing together Canada’s fastest downhill athletes for a marquee weekend of racing. Hosted in partnership with Sun Peaks Resort and SE Racing, the event crowned national champions across Elite, Junior, U17, and Masters categories at one of the country’s most iconic downhill venues.
This year’s edition delivered an exciting weekend of competition, with Jack Menzies claiming the Elite (Pro) Men 19+ national title. “It feels good. Tried to miss as many holes as I could, and pushed it in the sections I thought I could get away with,” highlighted Menzies. Last year’s champion Johnathan Helly secured second place, while Jakob Jewett rounded out the podium in third. In the Elite (Pro) Women 19+ category, Gracey Hemstreet took the top step, followed by Lauren Rosser in second and Emmy Lan returning to the podium with a third-place finish.
Tayte Proulx-Royds successfully defended her Women’s Junior national title, while Ryder Wilson claimed the Junior Men’s championship. In the U17 category, Mack Manitetta took gold on the men’s side and Megan Pretorius claimed the maple leaf jersey on the women’s. “It’s the best race ever! I’m happy!” said Megan Pretorius, the U17 Women’s national champion and the fastest woman on the mountain in 2026. Racing on her local trails at Sun Peaks made the victory even more special, as she reflected on what it meant to compete and win at a venue she knows so well. When asked about her race strategy, Pretorius kept it simple: “I just pedalled as fast as I could, and I knew the track, which helps!” With strong performances across the Masters categories, the 2026 championships showcased the depth of talent and the continued growth of downhill mountain biking across Canada.
Cycling Canada congratulates all athletes who competed at Sun Peaks and celebrates the performances that defined an exciting weekend of racing. From emerging riders to established champions, the 2026 Canadian Downhill MTB Championships highlighted the incredible talent, passion, and dedication within Canada’s downhill community, with national champions earning the honour of wearing the maple leaf jersey for the year ahead. For full event results please visit the Cycling Canada Event Page.
