News – Page 128 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

SMALL BUT POWERFUL BMX TEAM SET TO COMPETE IN SANTIAGO DEL ESTORO

Argentina hosts penultimate BMX Supercross race of 2015 season

(Ottawa, ON – August 31, 2015) Pan-American Games gold medallist Tory Nyhaug will aim to deliver a podium performance at the upcoming UCI BMX Supercross, this weekend, at the penultimate event on the 2015 Supercross calendar.

Nyhaug missed the first two Supercross races of the season, and will be looking to climb in the standings, where he currently sits in 49^th place.

Pan-American Games BMXers Jimmy Brown and Daina Tuchscherer will also be among the smaller but powerful team racing in Argentina. Two-time UCI Challenge World Champion Alex Tougas, and James Palmer will also be racing for Canada.

Tuchscherer, in her second year as a junior, is ranked 32^nd – fifth among juniors – in the BMX Supercross women elite ranking, thanks to a career-best performance delivered at the third stop of the Supercross season in Angelholm, Sweden where she finished in 12^th position. The 18-year-old is raising eyebrows thanks to her quick progression in the BMX world, which includes a silver medal at the Canadian Championships (top junior) and participation at the recent Pan-American Games. Currently ranked in fourth place the UCI Ranking in her category, Tuchscherer finished 16^th at the 2015 World Championships in the junior women race, racing the semi-finals.

Tougas is also quickly learning the ropes of the sport, competing on the international BMX Supercross scene for the first time season. The young BMXer easily won the Canadian Title in Drummondville in July. At the World Championships, Tougas finished 17^th of the men junior race, narrowly missing a berth in the semi-finals. Tougas is ranked fifth in the UCI Ranking.

Both Tuchscherer and Tougas were crowned 2015 Canada Cup Champions in the junior categories.

Canada aims to continue earning some UCI points towards Rio 2016 Olympic qualification.

Racing begins on September 4 and ends on September 6.

TEAM CANADA – 2015 UCI BMX SUPERCROSS – SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO, ARG

Jim Brown (Elite Men) Airdrie, AB
Tory Nyhaug (Elite Men) Coquitlam, BC
James Palmer (Elite Men) North Vancouver, BC
Alex Tougas (Junior Men) Pitt Meadows, BC
Daina Tuchscherer (Junior Women) Airdrie, AB

August 31, 2015/by Communications

CANADIAN TRACK CYCLISTS AIM HIGH AT PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Canada looking to continue its success in Santiago, Chile, an important Olympic qualifier

(Ottawa, ON – August 26, 2015) Canadian track cyclists enjoyed resounding success at the Toronto 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto this past July, and they are looking to extend their success next week as they hit the boards of the velodrome in Santiago, Chile.

The team will compete against the very same opponents as during the Pan-American Games, this time at the UCI Pan-American Championships, September 2-6, where critical UCI Olympic Qualification points are on the line.

The sprinters, led by coach and Olympic medallist Erin Hartwell, have the objective to win every sprint event in Chile, and they are bringing their top squad to accomplish the task. Triple-medallists Monique Sullivan and Hugo Barrette will be suiting up for Canada in all three sprint events. The powerful track stars are joined by their teammates and Pan-Am Games gold medallists in the team sprint events in Kate O’Brien, also a silver medallist in the individual sprint, Olympian Joe Veloce, and Evan Carey. Mischa Partridge, a transition cyclist from BMX to track cycling, has been training at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre velodrome under Hartwell’s guidance for the last year. He will join the team for his first international track cycling event.

The endurance program will also set their sights on medals in Chile. The women’s team pursuit squad, ranked third in the World Rankings, will be represented by a younger team. Led by Pan-American Games Gold medallist Allison Beveridge and Kirsty Lay, World Championship medallist Stephanie Roorda and youngsters Annie Foreman-MacKay and Kinley Gibson, the team hopes to make the gold medal race. Coach Graig Griffin will guide the young squad in Santiago.

The women’s endurance team also hopes to win medals in the points race, the scratch race and the individual pursuit.

The men’s team pursuit squad, which took the bronze medal in Toronto, will be racing at these Championships with the objective of a medal, securing its place among the top three nations of the Americas. The team is led by captain Remi Pelletier-Roy, along with veteran Ed Veal, Aidan Caves, Sean MacKinnon and Evan Burtnik.

On top of providing great power to the team pursuit squad, Pelletier-Roy will also put additional focus on the men’s omnium event, where he hopes to solidify a spot for the upcoming UCI World Cup season and the 2016 UCI World Championships.

TEAM CANADA – 2015 UCI TRACK CYCLING PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hugo BARRETTE, 24, Cap-aux-Meules, QC [Men’s Team Sprint, Keirin, Sprint, Time Trial (Kilo)]
Joseph VELOCE, 26, Fonthill, ON [Men’s Team Sprint, Keirin, Sprint]
Evan CAREY, 21, Victoria, BC [Men’s Team Sprint, Sprint]
Mischa PARTRIDGE, 27, Coquitlam, BC [Men’s Team Sprint]
Monique SULLIVAN, 26, Calgary, AB [Women’s Team Sprint, Keirin, Sprint]
Kate O’BRIEN, 27, Calgary, AB [Women’s Team Sprint, Keirin, Sprint, Time Trial (500m)]

Evan BURTNIK, 18, Edmonton, AB [Men’s Team Pursuit, Scratch Race]
Ed VEAL, 38, Queensville, ON [Men’s Team Pursuit, Individual Pursuit]
Aidan CAVES, 20, Vancouver, BC [Men’s Team Pursuit, Points Race]
Sean MACKINNON, 20, Hamilton, ON [Men’s Team Pursuit, Individual Pursuit]
Remi PELLETIER-ROY, 25, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QC [Men’s Team Pursuit, Omnium]

Allison BEVERIDGE, 22, Calgary, AB [Women’s Team Pursuit, Scratch Race, Omnium]
Stephanie ROORDA, 29, Vancouver, BC [Women’s Team Pursuit, Points Race]
Kirsti LAY, 27, Montreal, QC [Women’s Team Pursuit]
Annie FOREMAN-MACKEY, 24, Kingston, ON [Women’s Team Pursuit, Individual Pursuit]
Kinley GIBSON, 20, Edmonton, AB [Women’s Team Pursuit]

August 26, 2015/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA SELECT JUNIOR TEAMS FOR UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Eight young riders to race for Canada in Richmond, Virginia

(Ottawa, ON – August 26, 2015) Eight junior road cyclists will suit up for Canada at the upcoming UCI Road World Championships from September 20 to 27 in Richmond, Virginia.

The women’s team is comprised of Gillian Ellsay, 18, of Courtenay, BC, Liah Harvie, 17, of Banff, AB, Katherine Maine, 17, of Ottawa, ON, and Gabby Traxler, 17, Calgary, AB.

In the men’s races, Willem Boersma, 18, of Portage La Prairie, MB, Derek Gee, 18, of Osgoode, ON, Adam Roberge, 18, of Prévost, QC, and finally Joel Taylor, 18, of Victoria, BC, have been selected to represent Canada.

The riders will participate in a pre-Worlds campaign before travelling to Richmond. Their schedule includes the Green Mountain Stage Race in Vermont (Sept. 4-7), a training camp in Bromont and the Critérium National (sept 12) in Montréal, which is part of the festivities surrounding the Grands Prix cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal.

Coaches Luc Arseneau (men) and Denise Kelly (women) will be leading their respective teams through to the World Championships.

TEAM CANADA – UCI JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Junior Women

Gillian ELLSAY, 18, Courtenay, BC (RR, TT)
Liah HARVIE, 17, Banff AB (18) (RR, TT)
Katherine MAINE, 17, Ottawa, ON (RR)
Gabby TRAXLER, 17, Calgary, AB (RR)

Junior Men

Willem BOERSMA, 18, Portage La Prairie, MB (RR)
Derek GEE, 18, Osgoode, ON (RR, TT)
Adam ROBERGE, 18, Prévost, QC (RR)
Joel TAYLOR, 18, Victoria, BC (RR, TT)

August 26, 2015/by Communications

CALGARY HOSTS 2015 CANADA CUP BMX FINALS

Canada Cup Champions will be crowned this weekend

(Calgary, AB – August 25, 2015) The 2015 Canada Cup BMX Finals are taking place this weekend in Calgary, AB, at the Calgary BMX Racing Association track.

The two days of Canada Cup racing begin on August 29, and will allow the BMXers from across the country to earn some coveted UCI points and some Canada Cup points towards the ultimate goal of taking the title as the series comes to an end on Sunday August 30.

“Calgary BMX is very excited to host what could be the biggest BMX event in Canada this year! The City of Calgary and many of the local businesses are very enthusiastic and supportive about the sport of BMX. We are very proud to welcome the world to Calgary and have an excellent race,” said Chris Bullivant, President of Calgary BMX.

The event will offer the organizers one last opportunity to polish details as it hosts the Canadian BMX Championships over the next two years.

“Calgary is a hotbed for BMX in Alberta and Western Canada. We are thrilled to crown our newest Canada Cup Champions in this vibrant city. We are confident that the riders will enjoy this event,” said Mathieu Boucher, Performance Development Director at Cycling Canada. “The organizers have plenty of experience in hosting BMX events, and this will be a great opportunity to gather information in advance of the Canadian BMX Championships that will take place over the next two years.”

Current Canada Cup rankings can be found here: https://cyclingcanada.ca/bmx/canada-cup-series/

Schedule, registration and technical guide information for the event can be found here: https://cyclingcanada.ca/sport/bmx/events/type-of-event/canada-cup/calgary/

August 25, 2015/by Communications

RIO OLYMPIC SELECTION CRITERIA PUBLISHED

With just under a year to go to the Rio Olympics, aspiring Olympians can consult Cycling Canada’s Rio selection policy to find out what they need to do to make the team.

The policy can be found here.

The draft version of the criteria was published on June 19 and updated this week. It is still pending approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee.

The number of athletes Canada can enter in the cycling events will be determined by the Olympic qualification system. Each cycling sport has a different qualification timeline. Cycling Canada will learn its Olympic quotas on the following dates:

Road men: Jan. 15, 2016
Track: March 7, 2016
Mountain bike: June 1, 2016
Road women: June 6, 2016
BMX: June 7, 2016

August 20, 2015/by Krisw

TEAM CANADA ROSTER ANNOUNCED FOR THE QUEBEC CITY AND MONTREAL GRANDS PRIX CYCLISTES

The sixth edition of the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal will build on the tradition of road cycling in North America, welcoming the world’s élite racers to the challenging courses in Québec City and Montréal on September 11 and 13. Since their inception in 2010, the race organizers have invited the national men’s road racing team to these events, allowing the riders to experience a competition of the highest calibre and perform under the eyes of the UCI WorldTeams. Once again this year, Cycling Canada has selected an eight-man national team roster for the races, which are the only two UCI WorldTour events in the Americas.

This year’s team comprises Ryan Anderson (Vancouver, BC / Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies), Guillaume Boivin (Longueuil, QC / Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies), Rob Britton (Victoria, BC / Team Smartstop), Alex Cataford (Ottawa, ON / Silber Pro Cycling), Adam de Vos (Victoria, BC / Team H&R Block), Benjamin Perry (St. Catharines, ON / Silber Pro Cycling), Ryan Roth (Cambridge, ON / Silber Pro Cycling), and Michael Woods (Ottawa, ON / Optum p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies).

These riders have all performed well this season, with six riders boasting either a UCI stage win or podium. Boivin took the Canadian Championships title in June and the bronze medal at the Pan-Am Games in Toronto. Anderson finished second at the Delta UCI road race and at the Canadian Championships behind his teammate Boivin. Britton won the general classification of the Tour of the Gila. Woods recently won Stage 2 at the Tour of Utah and claimed second place in the general classification. Roth finished second overall at the GP Saguenay as well as second in the time trial and third in the road race at the Canadian Championships.

Kevin Field, Cycling Canada’s Men’s Road Manager, will be the directeur sportif for the two races. “The objective of the team will be to have one rider ranked in the Top 10 at the Québec City event, and activate the peloton and be part of key breakaways in Montréal,” he says. “The event will also be a great preparation tool for the 2015 UCI Road World Championships to be disputed in Richmond, Virginia, later in the month. All eight Canadian riders have qualified for the selection pool for this event.”

The cyclists selected for this project have earned 33 of Canada’s 49 UCI race podium performances this season and include five of Canada’s top six ranked riders. Anderson, Boivin and Britton are currently racing the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado, and all team members except for Britton will race the Tour of Alberta starting September 2.

“Whether by inviting Team Canada as well as various Pro Continental squads to our events as wild-card entries since 2010, the creation of the Critérium National de Montréal this year, or our recent partnership with the Québec Cycling Federation to financially support the Coupe du Québec Espoirs road race series, the Grands Prix Cyclistes have always been committed to supporting the development of road racing in this country and to encouraging the next generation of local cyclists,” notes Marcel Leblanc, Vice-President, Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal.

In addition, this past June the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal organizers announced the addition of the Critérium National de Montréal to the race schedule. This is a development event reserved for North American road racers with a UCI (International Cycling Union) licence in the Junior, U23 and Elite categories (ages 17 to 29).

The full list of riders entered in the 6th edition of the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal will be announced next week.

August 20, 2015/by Communications

CANADA EARNS RECORD QUOTA FOR ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Six Elite Men, four U23 Men and six Elite Women to take the start for Canada at Road Worlds

(Ottawa, ON – August 18, 2015) Thanks to the emerging collaboration between Cycling Canada and professional teams such as Canadian-based Silber Pro Cycling, Canada has qualified the biggest quota in its history for the 2015 UCI Road World Championships.

Six elite men, four U23 men, six elite women, four junior men and four junior women will be on the start lines representing Canada next month in Richmond, Virginia.

This is the biggest quota for the Canadian men since the UCI harmonized professional and amateur road cycling into one category in 1996.

The last time Canada had six Elite men riders at the Pro Road Worlds goes back to the 1992 edition, which took place in Benidorm, ESP.

Kevin Field was brought in as Men’s Road Program Manager to manage the relationship between Cycling Canada and the various Canadian Teams and riders, and the move is paying off: “I was brought in Cycling Canada for the great relationships I maintained with the riders and teams and, we worked hard to cultivate collaboration and open communication this year. That strategy obviously worked. The teams, directors, riders and Cycling Canada were well aligned this year. Riders and teams knew what we were trying to do, why, how it benefited us and them. Everyone knew where we stood this year along the way, and that certainly helps the riders stay focused on goals.”

Canada earned the six starters thanks to the stellar season of its riders on the UCI America Tour, ranked second after Colombia, ahead of Venezuela, Argentina and the United States. This ranking is in large part the reward of the work done on a daily basis by Canadian riders racing on the America Tour with their respective professional teams such as Silber Pro Cycling, ranked ninth in the UCI America Tour ranking. The strong presence of Canadians in U.S.-based teams, such as Optum-Kelly Benefits Strategies, the top-ranked team in the UCI America Tour, and Team Smartstop (ranked sixth in the UCI America Tour), is also a key factor in the strong Canadian presence at UCI Road World Championships.

Canada will be among a few select countries with six riders on the start line, including but not limited to Norway, Poland, Russia and host nation USA. The feat is particularly impressive since Canada does not have a Canadian-based UCI WorldTour Team. There are two WorldTour teams registered in Russia, and three in the United States.

Canada is the only nation with three riders among the Top 15 of the UCI America Tour rankings. Michael Woods (Optum-Kelly Benefits Strategies) leads the charge in second place, with Guillaume Boivin (Optum-Kelly Benefits Strategies) in 10th and Ryan Roth (Silber Pro Cycling) in 15th.

In the U23 category, Canada earned the four spots thanks to teams like Silber Pro Cycling, with two of the most promising U23 riders in Benjamin Perry and Alex Cataford, and H&R Block Pro Cycling, with Adam De Vos, as critical players in cumulating points. The work done by these teams show a real commitment to the growth of road cycling in Canada.

The maximum quota allocated is nine cyclists, awarded only to the Top 10 nations on the UCI WorldTour (in order, Spain, Great Britain, Colombia, Italy, France, Belgium, Australia, Netherlands, Germany and Czech Republic).

The 2015 UCI Road World Championships will take place September 19-27 in Richmond, Virginia.

RANKING – INDIVIDUAL – AMERICA TOUR

1. Bayron GUAMA DE LA CRUZ (Ecuador) (ECU) 198 pts

2. Michael WOODS (Canada) (OPM) 169 pts

3. Daniel DIAZ (Argentina) (FUN) 158 pts

4. Toms SKUJINS (Latvia) (HSD) 150 pts

5. William CHIARELLO (Brazil) 135 pts

6. Miguel UBETO APONTE (Venezuela) 129 pts

7. Oscar SEVILLA RIBERA (Spain) (EPM) 114.6 pts

8. Jose Luis RODRIGUEZ (Chile) 102 pts

9. Juan MURILLO (Venezuela) 98 pts

10. Guillaume BOIVIN (Canada) (OPM) 98 pts

11. Josué GONZÁLEZ (Costa Rica) 95 pts

12. Carlos Ivan OYARZUN GUINEZ (Chile) (KMP) 94 pts

13. Luis DIAZ (Venezuela) 94 pts

14. Daniel Alexander JARAMILLO DIEZ (Colombia) (JHB) 90 pts

15. Ryan ROTH (Canada) (SPC) 87 pts

RANKING – TEAM – AMERICA TOUR (out of 42 teams)

1. OPTUM P/B KELLY BENEFIT STRATEGIES (United States) (OPM) 447 pts

2. FUNVIC – SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS (Brazil) (FUN) 337 pts

3. EPM – UNE – AREA METROPOLITANA (Colombia) (EPM) 302.2 pts

4. TEAM ECUADOR (Ecuador) (ECU) 282 pts

4. HINCAPIE RACING TEAM (United States) (HSD) 282 pts

6. TEAM SMARTSTOP (United States) (SSC) 242 pts

7. ORGULLO ANTIOQUENO (Colombia) (ANQ) 200 pts

8. UNITEDHEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM (United States) (UHC) 194 pts

9. SILBER PRO CYCLING (Canada) (SPC) 190 pts

10. JAMIS – HAGENS BERMAN (United States) (JHB) 180 pts

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23. H&R BLOCK PRO CYCLING (Canada) (HRB) 51 pts

28. GARNEAU QUEBECOR (Canada) (GQC) 39 pts

RANKING – NATION – AMERICA TOUR

1. COLOMBIA (COL) 819.95 pts

2. CANADA (CAN) 756 pts

3. VENEZUELA (VEN) 663 pts

4. ARGENTINA (ARG) 658 pts

5. UNITED STATES (USA) 518 pts

August 19, 2015/by Communications

JUNIOR TRACK WORLDS BEGIN THIS WEEK IN KAZAKHSTAN

Nine Canadian cyclists in Astana ready to race for World Titles

(Ottawa, ON – August 17, 2015) The 2015 UCI Junior Track World Championships will take place this week, August 19-23 at the velodrome in Astana, Kazakhstan, and Canadians are ready to bring home some medals and gain invaluable experience for their rising careers.

Nine Canadians made the trip overseas to don the Maple Leaf uniform and race for the ultimate honours, the rainbow jersey presented to the World Champions.

The men’s endurance program will be represented by Evan Burtnik of Edmonton, AB, Connor Byway of Ottawa, ON, Bayley Simpson of Lindsay, ON, John Willcox of Victoria, BC, and Jordann Jones of Ancaster, ON.

Katherine Maine of Ottawa, ON, Anna Talman of Edmonton, AB and Gillian Ellsay of Courtenay, BC will be racing the women’s endurance events.

Stefan Ritter of Edmonton, AB, will be the lone sprinter representing Canada.

The official programme can be found here: http://www.uci.ch/mm/Document/News/NewsGeneral/17/01/47/Astana2015_programmeasof04.06.2015_Neutral.pdf

August 17, 2015/by Communications

CANADIAN PARA-CYCLISTS END PARAPAN-AMERICAN GAMES WITH 14 MEDALS

Successful events both on the track and on the road in Toronto

(Toronto, ON – August 14, 2015) The Canadian Para-Cycling Team earned 14 medals for Canada at the Toronto 2015 Parapan-American Games, both in track cycling and on the road. The Games were undoubtedly highly successful for the Canadians, especially for the tandem of Daniel Chalifour and Alexandre Cloutier winning medals in all four events, including three Gold medals.

On the road, Canada earned 11 medals – two gold, three silver, and six bronze, while the host country earned three medals at the velodrome – two gold and one silver.

“Just like a few weeks ago at the Pan-American Games, our para-cycling team surpassed our expected medal tally; even with some categories having combined gender classes. The results we have accomplished here are definitely good for the moral and we hope that these performances will carry momentum leading and during the fast approaching Paralympic Games in one year’s time.”, said Jacques Landry, Head Coach and Director of High Performance at Cycling Canada.

Landry added: “Not only have we been able to reap some great results through these Games, but the Parapan-American Games has also served to test our systems. Through this test, we’ve identified a few gaps that we will steadfastly work on mitigating over the course of the next few months, in order to arrive in Rio with a nicely polished performance machine.”

Hand cyclist Mark Ledo earned Canada’s first Gold medal of these Games in the Men H3-5, joined on the same podium by teammate Charles Moreau earning the bronze medal. The Chalifour/Cloutier tandem took second place of the mixed B race while hand cyclist Robert Labbé earned bronze in the Men H1-2 road race. Tricyclist Louis-Albert Corriveau-Jolin went to cross the finish line in third for the bronze medal of the Mixed T race.

The games then shifted to the velodrome for two days of track racing. The Chalifour/Cloutier tandem continued their medal winning ways, adding gold medals in the individual pursuit and the 1km time trial. Mike Sametz, competing at his first Major Games, rode to the silver medal in the Individual Pursuit in the C1-3 class.

After a rest day, the team headed back to the road to compete in the time trial race, and Canada impressed by sweeping the podium in the mixed B class, with Chalifour/Cloutier earning their fourth medal in four events at the Games, including three gold medals. Robbi Weldon and new pilot Audrey Lemieux took second place while Shawna Ryan and pilot Joanie Caron took the third place.

Medals won by Canadian Para-Cyclists – Toronto 2015 Parapan-American Games

Road Cycling – Road Race

Mark Ledo – Gold – Men H3-5
Daniel Chalifour/Alexandre Cloutier – Silver – Mixed B
Charles Moreau – Bronze – Men H3-5
Robert Labbé – Bronze – Men H1-2
Nicole Clermont – Bronze – Women C
Louis-Albert Corriveau-Jolin – Bronze – Mixed T

Road Cycling – Time Trial

Daniel Chalifour/Alexandre Cloutier – Gold – Mixed B
Robbi Weldon/Audrey Lemieux – Silver – Mixed B
Shelley Gautier – Silver – Women T1-3
Shawna Ryan/Joanie Caron – Bronze – Mixed B
Charles Moreau – Bronze – Men H1-5

Track Cycling – Individual Pursuit

Daniel Chalifour/Alexandre Cloutier – Gold – Mixed B
Mike Sametz – Silver – Men C1-3

Track Cycling – 1km Time Trial

Daniel Chalifour/Alexandre Cloutier – Gold – Mixed B

August 14, 2015/by Communications

CANADIAN MOUNTAIN BIKERS ANNOUNCED FOR WORLDS

Canada sending strong team to race for Rainbow Jersey in Andorra

(Ottawa, ON – August 13, 2015) Catharine Pendrel will race for Canada to defend her rainbow stripes at the 2015 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Vallnord, Andorra.

The Mountain Bike World Championships start August 31 and run through to September 6, 2015.

Pendrel, the two-time World champion and six-time Canadian champion, will race in the Elite women category donning the Maple Leaf alongside Pan-American Games Champion Emily Batty, Mikaela Kofman and three-time Canada Cup champion Sandra Walter.

Pendrel is ranked #2 in the World Ranking, while Batty sits in the eighth spot. Canada is the only nation with two riders in the Top 10 international rankings, sitting in second place of the UCI Nations ranking.

Raphaël Gagné, who is enjoying the season of his life with the US Cup title, the Pan-American Games title and the Canadian title under his belt, will hope to extend his streak of strong performances through to Andorra. With the objectives of adding precious Olympic qualifications points for Canada in the elite men race, Gagné will be joined by eight-time Canadian cross-country champion Geoff Kabush, Léandre Bouchard and Derek Zandstra. Canada sits in 11 place of the UCI nations ranking, the top country of the Americas, with Gagné leading the charge as top Canadian.

Current Canadian champions Alexandre Vialle and Haley Smith will be representing Canada in U23 category, while both Canadian junior champions Raphael Auclair and Laurie Arsenault will suit up in the National Team colours in the category.

Former Worlds silver medallist Steve Smith, current Canadian Champion Matthew Beer and Mark Wallace will tackle the downhill course, racing for Canada in the Elite men category. Wallace is Canada’s top-ranked downhiller, currently sitting in 16th place of the UCI World ranking.

Canadian Junior champion Magnus Manson, in his rookie junior season, will race the junior men category. Georgia Astle will take on the World’s best in the junior women downhill race.

TEAM CANADA – 2015 UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

CROSS-COUNTRY – ELITE MEN

Léandre Bouchard (Alma, QC)
Raphaël Gagné * (Québec, QC)
Geoff Kabush (Courtenay, BC)
Derek Zandstra (Trenton, ON)

CROSS-COUNTRY – ELITE WOMEN

Emily Batty (Brooklin, ON)
Mikaela Kofman (Toronto, ON)
Catharine Pendrel * (Kamloops, BC)
Sandra Walter (Coquitlam, BC)

CROSS-COUNTRY – U23 MEN

Peter Disera (Barrie, ON)
Marc-André Fortier (Victoriaville, QC)
Marc-Antoine Nadon (Timmins, ON)
Alexandre Vialle * (Prévost, QC)

CROSS-COUNTRY – U23 WOMEN

Catherine Fleury (Alma, QC)
Maghalie Rochette (St-Jérome, QC)
Haley Smith * (Uxbridge, ON)
Frederique Trudel (Breakeyville, QC)

CROSS-COUNTRY – JUNIOR MEN

Raphael Auclair * (Québec, QC)
Rhys Verner (Squamish, BC)
Quinton Disera (Barrie, ON)
Sean Fincham (Squamish, BC)

CROSS-COUNTRY – JUNIOR WOMEN

Soren Meeuwisse (Orillia, ON)
Laurie Arsenault * (Terrebonne, QC)
Emily Handford (West Vancouver, BC)
Mackenzie Myatt (Musquodoboit Harbour, NS)

DOWNHILL – ELITE MEN

Matt Beer * (North Vancouver, BC)
Steve Smith (Cassidy, BC)
Mark Wallace (Duncan, BC)

DOWNHILL – JUNIOR MEN

Jack Almond (West Vancouver, BC)
Henry Fitzgerald (West Vancouver, BC)
Magnus Manson * (Sechelt, BC)

DOWNHILL – ELITE WOMEN

Casey Brown (Revelstoke, BC)
Claire Buchar (Whistler, BC)
Miranda Miller * (Garibaldi Highlands, BC)
Vaea Verbeek (Grandby, QC)

DOWNHILL – JUNIOR WOMEN

Georgia Astle *(Whistler, BC)

Legend

* denotes Current Canadian Champion

August 13, 2015/by Communications