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CYCLING CANADA HIRES PATHWAY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

OTTAWA, February 8, 2017. – Supported by Own the Podium, Cycling Canada welcomes to its ranks Jesse Korf who will be filling the new position of Pathway Development Manager.

Korf’s main responsibilities will be in talent identification and development, including:
– Supporting NextGen coaches in the delivery of high performance-aligned programs
– Assisting NextGen coaches in supporting provincial coaches in the delivery of programs aligned with the national program objectives
– Acting as Cycling Canada representative on all NextGen cycling program Management groups
– Driving the building and maintenance of cycling podium pathway and gold medal profiles
– Assisting provincial partners in the implementation of LTAD, Podium Pathway and Gold Medal Profile initiatives
– Developing and implementing cycling-purposed talent identification strategies
– Assisting with the development of National Coaching Certification Program high performance coaching initiatives

Canadian and Dutch national, Jesse Korf comes to Cycling Canada having worked as coordinator for the Amsterdam chapter of Rapha Racing for the past two years. Korf previously worked in the Dutch sports system, building development programs for numerous sports, in addition to coaching basketball teams at the national level and acting as strength coach to Olympic level speed skating athletes in the Netherlands.

Korf’s academic background, having pursued a PhD in Sports management at the University of Texas in Austin, a Masters in International Sports management, a Bachelor of Business administration from the University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam and a National Strength and Conditioning specialist certification, will add great value to the position.

“To me, Canada is one of the global frontrunners in talent development and identification,” said Korf. “The state of cycling in Canada coupled with its unique environment and culture, I believe, holds challenges but also much promise, and I am looking forward to working together with the team at Cycling Canada and all local partners to aim to enhance the Development of our Pathways.”

“The position that Jesse will be filling is a vital one for the development of cycling in Canada,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director – Head Coach at Cycling Canada. “In recent years, we’ve put in place numerous development programs that bridge the gap between our top Olympic and Paralympic Performance programs and provincial level programs, but have not yet been able to optimally align provincial and national programming, due to not having the human resources to do so. We are very pleased to have Jesse with us as he will be instrumental in aligning programs, from the club level to the national level.

“We are also confident that Jesse’s skillset will cater to ensuring that we continue to drive the building and the maintenance of our Podium Pathways and Gold Medal Profiles, not only for our national programs, but also for the benefit of our clubs and provincial partners.”

February 8, 2017/by Communications

CANADA SENDS STRONG SQUADS TO FINAL ROUNDS OF TRACK WORLD CUP

OTTAWA, February 7, 2017. – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the teams that will represent Canada at the final two rounds of the UCI Track World Cup in late February. Round 3 of the World Cup will take place in Cali, Colombia on February 17-19, followed one week later by the World Cup final in Los Angeles, California, on February 25-26.
Canada will send a full men’s and women’s sprint squad to both events, led by Rio Olympians Kate O’Brien of Calgary, AB, and Hugo Barrette of Iles de la Madeleine, QC. O’Brien will be joined by Amelia Walsh of Ayr, ON, who will be attending her first World Cup, and will team up with O’Brien for the Team Sprint. O’Brien will also compete in the Sprint and Keirin events.

Barrette will be joined on the men’s squad by Stefan Ritter [Edmonton, AB], the 2016 Junior world champion and world record holder for the Kilo, plus Joel Archambault [St-Christine, QC] and Patrice St-Louis-Pivin [Sherbrooke, QC]. The team will compete in the Team Sprint, with Barrette also competing in the Keirin and Sprint, while Ritter will race the Kilo.
On the endurance side, Canada will send a women’s squad to both events, but not the men’s team, who competed in the first two rounds of the World Cup, winning the Team Pursuit in Apeldoorn, Netherlands and finishing third in Glasgow, Scotland.

For Cali, the squad will consist of Rio Olympic bronze medalist Laura Brown [Calgary, AB], plus Steph Roorda [Vancouver, BC], Kinley Gibson [Edmonton, AB] and Ariane Bonhomme [Gatineau, QC]. They will compete in the Team Pursuit, as well as the Scratch Race, Points Race and Omnium. Selections for the individual events will take place closer to the event dates.

At the final round in Los Angeles, Brown and Roorda will be joined by two more members of the Rio squad – Jasmin Duehring [Vancouver, BC] and Kirsti Lay [Montreal, QC] – plus Rio alternate and current national road champion, Annie Foreman-Mackey [Kingston, ON]. In addition to the Team Pursuit, riders will compete in the Madison, Scratch Race and Individual Pursuit. Selections for the individual events will take place closer to the event dates.

“The Cali World Cup marks the start of the second part of the World Cup season and the first time our sprint and women’s track endurance programs hit the boards in this level of competition since the Olympic Games,” explained Jacques Landry, Director of High Performance at Cycling Canada. “This first incursion into higher level of international competition since August will serve as a gauge to see where other countries are in terms of being competitive in this new quadrennial.”

“Our men’s track endurance program, in the first two World Cups, have set the bar with a third place and a win in the Team Pursuit events, and so it will be interesting to see what our sprint and women’s track endurance programs can come up with; keeping in mind of course that Tokyo is still 1,260 days away.”

Women
Sprint
Kate O’Brien – Calgary, AB [Cali, Los Angeles]
Amelia Walsh – Ayr, ON [Cali, Los Angeles]

Endurance
Ariane Bonhomme – Gatineau, QC [Cali]
Laura Brown – Calgary, AB [Cali, Los Angeles]
Jasmin Duehring – Vancouver, BC [Los Angeles]
Annie Foreman-Mackey – Kingston, ON [Los Angeles]
Kinley Gibson – Edmonton, AB [Cali]
Steph Roorda – Vancouver, BC [Cali, Los Angeles]
Kirsti Lay – Montreal, QC [Los Angeles]

Men
Joel Archambault – St-Christine, QC [Cali, Los Angeles]
Hugo Barrette – Iles de la Madeleine, QC [Cali, Los Angeles]
Stefan Ritter – Edmonton, AB [Cali, Los Angeles]
Patrice St-Louis-Pivin – Sherbrooke, QC [Cali, Los Angeles]

February 7, 2017/by Communications

2017 TRACK SEASON OPENS WITH EASTERN & WESTERN CHALLENGES

MILTON, Jan. 30, 2017. – The 2017 Canadian track season opens in February with a pair of new events aimed at development riders – the Eastern and Western Challenge competitions.

These events were created by Cycling Canada following the Track Competition review of the domestic competition system for track. Among the recommendations from the review were the creation of events aimed at development riders; to give them the opportunity to race an event with a caliber (and degree of organization) comparable to the Canadian Track Championships p/b Lexus. This will give riders the opportunity to measure their preparedness for the world championships selection that takes place at the Championships.

Cycling Canada has been working in collaboration with the Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) for the Eastern Challenge and with Cycling BC in British Columbia for the Western Challenge.

“We are really excited to include the Eastern and Western Track Challenge to our 2017 calendar,” stated Mathieu Boucher, Director of Performance Development at Cycling Canada. “These events are key in the development of the next generation of national team athletes, while helping them in their preparation for the Canadian Track Championships which will be held in Milton at the end of March. We are very thankful for the hosting support offered by Ontario Cycling, Kelyn Akuna and Cycling BC to make these new events a reality.”

The Eastern Challenge will take place on February 11-12, at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario. Racing will take place on both days for male and female Under-17 and Junior riders, with an Ontario Cup event for Elite and Masters riders on the second day.

“The OCA is thrilled to build upon the success of the 2016 Eastern Track Challenge and we are looking forward to welcoming U17’s & Juniors back to Milton,” said Jim Crosscombe, Executive Director of OCA. “The event is an ideal opportunity for development athletes to work on their racing abilities. The 2017 Eastern Track Challenge promises to bring two days of great racing and competition prior to the Canadian Track Championships.”

The Western Challenge will take place two weeks later at the B.C. Lower Mainland Burnaby Velodrome, on February 24-25, for Under-15, Under-17, Junior, Elite and Masters athletes. Spectators will be encouraged to attend on both evenings and, aside from the racing, highlights will include: a beer garden, food truck, DJ, and a host of family friendly activities. Alberta has already confirmed that they will be sending their provincial team.

Event organizer Kelyn Akuna says, “The Western Challenge poses an exciting opportunity for our local race community. The event affords us the chance to bring nationally sanctioned racing back to the Burnaby Velodrome, which is great for developing our regional athletes, building our event hosting capacity, and invigorating interest in both the discipline and the facility for years to come.”

EASTERN CHALLENGE/O-CUP #3
Organizer: OCA
Dates: Saturday February 11 – Sunday February 12, 2017
Where: Milton, ON
Events for U17 & Jr on the Saturday / U17, Jr and regular O-Cup program on Sunday for Elite & Masters
Registration: http://www.ontariocycling.org/event/track-o-cup-3eastern-challenge/?instance_id=557

WESTERN CHALLENGE
Organizer: Kelyn Akuna and Cycling BC
Dates: Friday, February 24 – Saturday, February 25, 2017
Where: Burnaby, BC
Events for U15, U17, Jr, Elite & Masters
Registration: http://www.theblackline.ca/westernchallenge/

January 30, 2017/by Communications

VAN DEN HAM TOP CANADIAN ON DAY 2 OF CYCLO-CROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

LUXEMBOURG, Jan. 29, 2017 – Michael Van den Ham of Edmonton was the top Canadian rider on Sunday at the Cyclo-cross World Championships in Bieles, Luxembourg, finishing 38th in the Elite Men’s race.

Rain overnight turned an already muddy course into a slick and treacherous one, with riders coated in mud after the first lap of the course. Cyclo-cross powerhouse nations Belgium and Netherlands dominated the Elite race, taking the top six spots, with Wout van Aert of Belgium winning the title ahead of Dutch rival Mathieu van der Poel.

Only 29 of 64 starters finished on the same lap as the winner, with Van den Ham finishing two laps down. Canadian national champion Jeremy Martin of Quebec City was 47th, 3 laps back, and Mark McConnell of Calgary was 55th, 4 laps down.

“It was really muddy today,” agreed McConnell. “But I’ve never had more fun at a race, I think. There was obstacle after obstacle, but the crowd was fantastic. I had the worst luck…I crashed at the start and had a flat, but it was just carnage today. I was just doing everything to focus on my lines and keep it upright.”

In the Under-23 Men’s race, held earlier in the day, Trevor O’Donnell of Barrie, Ontario, was the only Canadian entrant, finishing 46th, 3 laps down on winner Joris Nieuwenhuis of the Netherlands.

January 29, 2017/by Communications

ROCHETTE 5TH AT CYCLO-CROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

LUXEMBOURG, Jan. 28, 2017 – Maghalie Rochette of St-Jerome, Quebec, had a breakthrough ride on the opening day of competition at the Cyclo-cross World Championships on Saturday, finishing fifth in the Elite Women’s race at Bieles, Luxembourg.

Ice and mud made the course extremely slick, with most riders crashing multiple times on the tricky off camber climbs and descents. Rochette, the reigning Canadian champion, came back from a poor start to join the top five at the front of the race by the second lap. When seven time world champion Marianne Vos of the Netherlands and Sanne Cant of Belgium attacked mid-race, Rochette was dropped but rode solo in fifth place for the rest of the race to finish 36 seconds down on eventual winner Cant. Mical Dyck of Victoria finished 20th and Cindy Montambault of Val-David, Quebec, was 24th.

“I had a horrible start,” admitted Rochette, “but I just kept paying attention to what was ahead and when there was a crash I was able to get around it and I was able to catch up to the front group. After that I just kept moving forward. I had a clean race and didn’t really crash, so it was pretty amazing and I’m really happy. Personally I thought the course was amazing; it was slippery but that was the same for everybody. You just had to keep clean and keep moving. We had similar conditions at Nationals so I knew how to race it. I didn’t think about it [top-5] and I have a lot of people to thank – my boyfriend and coach, my family, my team mates and Cyclo-cross Canada. I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m super happy and thrilled about it.”

In other competitions, Gunnar Holmgren of Orillia, Ontario, was the top Canadian in the Junior men’s race, finishing 22nd, 4:15 behind winner Thomas Pidcock of Great Britain. Brody Sanderson (Orillia, ON) was 25th and Noah Simms (Barrie, ON) 46th. In the Under-23 women’s race, Canada’s lone entry, Ruby West (Dundas, ON), was 26th, 6:03 behind winner Annemarie Worst of the Netherlands.

January 28, 2017/by Communications

CANADIANS TAKE FIVE PODIUMS AT BERLIN 6 DAY

BERLIN, Jan. 26, 2017. – Two members of Canada’s world-class women’s track endurance program had a strong start to the 2017 season with multiple podium results at the Berlin 6 Day competition over January 22-24. Steph Roorda of Vancouver finished fourth overall, while Laura Brown of Calgary won the Scratch Race on the second day of competition.

According to national coach Craig Griffin, the goal of the trip was, “To provide a condensed program of races that will enhance athlete fitness in front of the Cali and LA World Cups in the last two weekends of February.”

Each day of racing included a variety of mass-start competitions, such as Elimination Race, Points Race and Scratch Race, with riders accumulating points based on their results in each event. The field included both Olympic and world champions.

Roorda got off to a strong start with a third place in the opening day Scratch Race, and followed that up on Day 2 with second places in both the Points and Scratch Races and third in the Elimination. On the final day she did not achieve any podiums, but still finished fourth in the overall standings, just five points out of third.

Brown struggled on the first day, but in the Day 2 Scratch Race, a well-timed counterattack saw her take a lap on a pack that got caught by surprise. Immediately after Brown made contact with the field, Roorda countered with a move of her own, taking a lap by herself. With both Canadians a lap up on the field, Brown covered a last ditch attack in the final laps to secure the win, for a Canadian 1-2.

“It is hard out there when you are alone,” commented Brown, “but the crowd cheering kept me inspired and going.”

“The girls enjoyed a solid second night of racing,” said Griffin, “overcoming some jet lag and ‘knocking the rust off’ their racing legs. It’s been a while since they’ve raced and it showed the first night. Hopefully they can continue to improve and we will see more podiums as we move into the final World Cups in the lead up to the world championships in April.”

January 26, 2017/by Communications

CANADA ANNOUNCES TEAM OF 11 RIDERS FOR UCI CYCLO-CROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

LUXEMBOURG, Jan. 16, 2017 – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the team of 11 athletes that will represent Canada at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. The world championships will take place in Bieles, Luxembourg, on January 28th and 29th.

The team contains riders for all five championship categories, including three national champions. In the Junior men, national champion Gunnar Holmgren [Orillia, ON] is joined by Brody Sanderson [Orillia, ON] and Noah Simms [Barrie, ON]. Ruby West [Dundas, ON] will represent Canada in the Under-23 women, while Trevor O’Donnell [Barrie, ON] competes in Under-23 men.

In the Elite category, both Canadian champions will compete – Maghalie Rochette [St-Jerome, QC] in the women and Jeremy Martin [Quebec City, QC] for the men. Rochette will be joined by Mical Dyck [Victoria, BC] and Cindy Montambault [Val-David, QC] in the women’s competition. Mark McConnell [Calgary, AB] and Michael Van den Ham [Edmonton, AB] will race with Martin in the Elite men’s race.

“Though Cyclo-cross is not an Olympic event, we have seen an increasing number of athletes that are taking interest in this sport, as it nicely complements mountain biking,” explained Jacques Landry, High Performance Director at Cycling Canada. “Through this increased interest in CX we are slowly enhancing the quality and depth of the riders that take the start in World Cups and at the world championships.”

“The 2017 CX Worlds being held in Bieles promise to be a great venue for our Canadian riders who, for the most part, have been training and racing out of our European base in Tielt-Winge, Belgium, since mid-December. Under the watchful eye of Scott Kelly as team manager, I trust that our Canadian CX riders will come out of these Worlds with some great performances.”

The team will stage at the Cycling Canada European base in Tielte-Winge, Belgium, before attending the World Cup in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. The team will travel to Bieles, Luxembourg a few days before the start of the world championships.

Cycling Canada does not receive government funding for Cyclo-Cross programs, which means all projects are funded through sponsorships, private donations or by the athletes themselves. Any amount donated has a direct impact on the development of this sport in Canada. As a not-for-profit organization Cycling Canada can issue tax receipts for any donation greater than $25. Donations can be made at Hop On Canada: https://hoponcanada.ca/product/cyclo-cross-donation/

Team Canada Roster
Gunnar Holmgren (Orillia, ON) Junior Men
Brody Sanderson (Orillia, ON) Junior Men
Noah Simms (Barrie, ON) Junior Men
Ruby West (Dundas, ON) U23 Women
Trevor O’Donnell (Barrie, ON) U23 Men
Mical Dyck (Victoria, BC) Elite Women
Cindy Montambault (Val-David, QC) Elite Women
Maghalie Rochette (St-Jerome, QC) Elite Women
Jeremy Martin (Quebec City, QC) Elite Men
Mark McConnell (Calgary, AB) Elite Men
Michael Van den Ham (Edmonton, AB) Elite Men

January 16, 2017/by Communications

CHERNOVE, PENDREL & RITTER CHOSEN AS CANADIAN CYCLISTS OF 2016

December 22, 2016 (Paris, Ontario) – The 20th edition of the Canadian Cyclist of the Year awards saw two newcomers and one repeat winner for this Olympic year, in these Peoples Choice awards. Olympic bronze medalist Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, BC, was chosen as the Female athlete of 2016, while world champion Stefan Ritter of Edmonton is the Male cyclist and Paralympic gold medalist Tristen Chernove of Cranbrook, BC, took the Para award. Chernove also won for Best Individual Performance for his gold medal ride in the Men’s Road Time Trial at the Paralympic Games.

The Canadian Cyclist Awards are the oldest and most recognized cycling awards in Canada, voted on by thousands of cycling enthusiasts from across Canada and around the world, through the online cycling publication CanadianCyclist.com . Voting took place between December 10th and 21st.

Pendrel had an electrifying performance at the Rio Games in the women’s mountain bike competition, coming back from a crash in the opening loop that put her second from last in the field to move into the bronze medal spot by the final lap of the race. In 2016, Pendrel also won a World Cup race and finishes in the top-4 in five World Cups, allowing her to capture the third overall World Cup title of her career. Pendrel took 35% of first place votes cast, with the Olympic bronze medal Women’s Team Pursuit squad and 2015 Canadian Cyclist award winner Emily Batty (Brooklin, Ontario) each receiving 17% of the first place votes.

“2016 was an amazing year,” said Pendrel from her home in Kamloops, “and an Olympic medal and the World Cup Overall Title the result of an entire team of amazing people working together over many years. Thanks to all those special people and to Canadians for the votes and cheers. I’m looking forward to chasing the podium again next season!”

Track sprinter Stefan Ritter becomes the first Junior-aged (18-19 years old) cyclist to win a Canadian Cyclist award, with a spectacular season that included a world title in the 1000 metre Time Trial and a world championship bronze medal in the Sprint. He also set Junior world records for the 1000m and the 200m distances – the latter, at 9.738 seconds, a Canadian record that was once held by Curt Harnett. For 2017, Ritter will move up to the Elite ranks and has already been selected to the Canadian national team. Ritter and road professional Michael Woods (Ottawa) each received 27% of first place votes, but Ritter had a larger number of second and third place ballots.

“With the Junior world title in the Kilo, and two new Junior world records in the Kilo and Flying 200m Time Trial, this past year has been absolutely phenomenal,” said Ritter. “I simply cannot thank everyone who has supported me up to this point enough! I am honoured to be awarded Canadian Cyclist of 2016. Thank you.”

Tristen Chernove becomes the first Canadian Cyclist of the Year in the new Para category. Chernove, in his first full year of international competition, won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Leading into the Games, he won two world titles and two World Cups. Chernove received 52% of first placed ballots cast, followed by Paralympic double silver medalist Ross Wilson of Edmonton.

“2016 has been the stuff of fantasy,” said Chernove. “A year of new and life changing experiences and directions. My first year as part of Cycling Canada; new challenges, new people, new places and a whole new element to my life. Just trying to figure out how I’m going to top a year that includes 2 UCI rainbow jerseys [world championships], a complete set of Paralympic medals and a couple World Cup Golds?”

“I’ve been so fortunate to have found such talented coaching support, training friends and teammates, [and] feel like they own this recognition at least as much as I do. Canada’s cycling community brings me a tonne of joy and inspiration.”

December 23, 2016/by Communications

GARNEAU® AND CYCLING CANADA RIDE TOGETHER TOWARDS TOKYO 2020

Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec – December 22, 2016 – As a new Olympic cycle begins, Garneau® and Cycling Canada are pleased to announce that their long-term partnership, now in its 32^nd year, will extend to the Tokyo Olympic & Paralympic Games in 2020. Garneau® will continue to provide competition clothing for the Canadian National Team in road and track cycling, mountain bike and BMX for all Olympic and Paralympic events. Team Canada will also wear Garneau® clothing in all international competitions during the next four years.

Since he rode at the 1984 Olympics, Louis Garneau has been the only supplier of the national team’s competition and training apparel. These clothes have helped Canadian athletes to win many Olympic medals and countless international titles in every discipline.

Garneau® and Cycling Canada will continue to strengthen their collaborative partnership over the next four years with the creation of the Podium 2020 committee. This group will include apparel specialists from Garneau® who will work closely with research, development and technical experts from Cycling Canada as well as other National Team performance partners such as Alphamantis. Together, they will develop the world’s most aerodynamic and best-fitting technical apparel for every cycling event in Tokyo.

This approach will continue to build off of the development work done in the lead up to the 2016 Rio Games, where Garneau® custom-made the race kit for every cyclist on the Canadian team. The Podium 2020 committee will use Cycling Canada’s #NextGen programs, including the Team RaceClean road and track development program, as a benchmarking and testing ground for new innovations and products.

“This long-term partnership is one of the best things that could have ever happened to my company,” said Founder, Designer and President Louis Garneau. “Heading to the Rio Games, we put all of our expertise into helping the Canadian team and we won two medals at the Olympics and nine medals at the Paralympics. There is still so much to do with Cycling Canada. Our team’s motivation is at its highest level knowing that we are now on the road to Tokyo.”

“We are happy and incredibly proud to renew our partnership with Garneau® for another four years,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director at Cycling Canada. “What’s exciting with this renewal is that we will increase our cooperation on the research side, as well as on the development and production of high-end competition clothing. This improved partnership will give our athletes more tools to help them be competitive at the international level and ultimately step on the podium at the Tokyo Games.”

Visit www.garneau.com for more information.

December 22, 2016/by Communications

PIERRE LAFONTAINE NAMED CYCLING CANADA’S NEW CEO / SECRETARY GENERAL

Pierre Lafontaine Returns Home Following One-Year Stint Leading Cross Country Canada
Distinguished sport leader named Cycling Canada’s new Chief Executive Officer/Secretary General

OTTAWA, ON — Pierre Lafontaine is returning to Ottawa full time, accepting the role as chief executive officer/secretary general for Cycling Canada, after splitting time over the last year between his hometown and Cross Country Ski de Fond Canada’s national office in Canmore, Alta., the two national sport bodies announced jointly on Friday.

During his stint as chief executive officer for the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada, Lafontaine worked tirelessly to bring the community across the country together – from the provincial sport organizations, national training centres and coaches – under a shared 10-year vision designed to increase participation in the sport in all corners of the country, and ultimately, put more Canadian cross-country skiers on the Olympic and Paralympic podium.

“I really enjoyed working with the Nordic community across Canada and will miss the people. Cross-country skiing is one of the most iconic winter sports in this country. It is an extremely passionate community with an incredible group of athletes representing our country,” said Lafontaine.

“I am extremely grateful for Cross Country Ski de Fond Canada’s openness, and flexibility, to allow me to lead my team from afar, but I personally struggled with being away from both my family and the office in Canmore. I can’t thank the Board enough for their support of this decision – one that is best for me.”

Lafontaine, who will remain in his position with Cross Country Ski de Fond Canada until January, will assist the organization with implementing a transition plan that provides priority focus and support leading into the 2016-17 season.

“Family is at the heart of cross-country skiing in this country so, while we have a big hole to fill, we understand and respect Pierre’s difficult decision,” said Jamie Coatsworth, chair, Cross Country Ski de Fond Canada. “Pierre has done significant legwork getting all of our partners aligned under a shared vision, but we have loads of work remaining to get to where we want to be. We will begin an immediate search for a leader who can build on the framework Pierre has developed, and lead us into the next phase of our strategic growth plan.”

Lafontaine Succeeds Cycling Canada’s Retiring CEO, Greg Mathieu

From the lanes in the pool to making tracks on the Nordic ski trails, Lafontaine will now ride into Ottawa where he will succeed Greg Mathieu as Cycling Canada’s chief executive officer and secretary general in January.

Recognized as one of Canada’s most distinguished sport leaders, Lafontaine brings a wealth of international experience with him to the cycling community, having served as CEO and national coach of Swimming Natation Canada from 2005-13, followed by two years as CEO of Canadian Interuniversity Sport. A medal-winning performer, Lafontaine has achieved success working in all levels of the sport system across Canada, the United States and Australia – from national team athletes to youngsters getting introduced to the sport at the club level. Prior to taking the reigns of swimming in Canada, Lafontaine spent three years as head coach of the Australian Institute of Sport.

“Pierre is an energetic, passionate and experienced leader who is a known performer in the area of sport development,” said John Tolkamp, president, Cycling Canada, who added Lafontaine was hired following an extensive national search. “He will be counted on to lead our exceptional staff towards realizing the vision of being a leading cycling nation by 2020.”

Lafontaine is widely acclaimed as an innovative leader; not only in athlete and coach development, but also in building critical relationships with key stakeholders, including Own the Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee, to develop world-leading high-performance programs. Under his guidance, Lafontaine has achieved podium results as a CEO and coach at major international events from the Olympics and Paralympics to World Championships, Pan Am, Parapan Am and Commonwealth Games.

“I am extremely pleased to have the opportunity to join Cycling Canada to continue doing what I love – working in Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic community,” said Lafontaine. “Whether it is cycling, cross-country skiing or swimming, my goals remain the same – provide the tools our athletes and coaches require to be world-leaders from the grassroots to elite levels, and to make the sport one of the premier activities in all corners of the country. There is a strong foundation in place at Cycling Canada, and my goal is to ensure cycling remains a powerhouse well into the future.”

About Cycling Canada
Cycling Canada is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada. Founded in 1882, Cycling Canada aims to create and sustain an effective system that develops talented Canadian cyclists to achieve Olympic, Paralympic, and World Championship medal performances. With the vision of being a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020 celebrating enhanced international success, increased national participation and world class event hosting, Cycling Canada manages the High Performance team, hosts national and international events and administers programs to promote and grow cycling across the country. Cycling Canada programs are made possible through the support of its valued corporate partners – Global Relay, Lexus Canada, Mattamy Homes, Louis Garneau and Bear Mountain Resort – along with the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

About Cross Country Ski de Fond Canada
CCC is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. Its 60,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities, including those on Canada’s National Ski Teams and Para-Nordic Ski Teams. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Haywood Securities Inc., AltaGas, and Mackenzie Investments – along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium and B2Ten, CCC develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on CCC, please visit us at www.cccski.com.

November 18, 2016/by Communications