OTTAWA, ON (August 20, 2026) – Cycling Canada is proud to unveil the roster of Junior and Elite athletes selected to represent Canada at the 2026 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy. This year’s downhill squad brings a mix of rising junior talent and world-class elite contenders, many of whom have delivered the strongest downhill results in Canadian history across World Cups and World Championships. With one of the most technical and demanding tracks on the international circuit, Val di Sole offers a challenging stage for athletes, and Team Canada is ready to take that on with confidence.
“We are thrilled to return to Val di Sole for the World Championships,” highlights National Team Coach Chad Hendren. “Our Canadian athletes have a history of superb results at this iconic venue, and the potential for excellence is right in front of us. We are fielding a very strong team this year and look forward to supporting them to the fullest.”
Official practice sessions open the week on Wednesday before qualifications on Friday setting the stage for both Junior and Elite Downhill Finals as Saturday’s main event. The packed championship program also includes Cross-Country Team Relay (XCR), Short Track (XCC), and Olympic Cross-Country (XCO) throughout the week, building toward gravity’s signature showdown on Val di Sole’s infamous “Black Snake,” one of the most brutal and technical tests for downhill riders.
Photo: Alex Whitehead/ SWpix
Heading the lineup is 2025 Elite Downhill World Champion and overall World Cup series winner Jackson Goldstone, accompanied by a stacked Elite Men’s roster that also features Bodhi Kuhn, Jakob Jewett, Dane Jewett, national champion Jack Menzies, Michael Delesalle, Jonathan Helly, and Henry Sherry. 2026 National Champion Gracey Hemstreet will return to the team, equipped with a 4th-place finish at the 2024 World Championships and three World Cup wins, alongside Lauren Rosser. Canada’s next generation of downhill is equally impressive, with 2026 Junior National Champion Tayte Proulx-Royds bringing multiple top ten World Cup results to a strong Junior Women’s roster alongside Jenna Foreman, and Piper Graaten. Meanwhile, the Junior Men’s squad showcases standout domestic performances and World Cup results from Jack McCredie, Julian Moutinho, Travis Goller, Noah Milner, Austin Makson, and Rhys Vath. The 2026 UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Championships Canadian National Team is as follows.
2026 UCI DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS NATIONAL TEAM
Elite Men
- Bodhi Kuhn (Rossland, BC)
- Dane Jewett (Squamish, BC)
- Henry Sherry (Southern Vancouver Island, BC)
- Jack Menzies (Canmore, AB)
- Jackson Goldstone (Squamish, BC)
- Jakob Jewett (Squamish, BC)
- Johnathan Helly (Kamloops, BC)
- Michael Delesalle (Vancouver, BC)
Elite Women
- Gracey Hemstreet (Sechelt, BC)
- Lauren Rosser (Squamish, BC)
Junior Men
- Austin Makson (Mill Bay, BC)
- Jack McCredie (Whistler, BC)
- Julian Moutinho (Victoria, BC)
- Noah Milner (Vernon, BC)
- Rhys Vath (Williams Lake, BC)
- Travis Goller (Anmore, BC)
Junior Women
- Jenna Foreman (Prince George, BC)
- Piper Graaten (Nanaimo, BC)
- Tayte Proulx Royds (Kelowna, BC)
For complete event schedules, race details, and livestream information, please visit the official UCI website. Cycling Canada congratulates all selected athletes and looks forward to following their achievements throughout the competition in Val di Sole.
