News – Page 35 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

DOMESTIC ROAD RACING RETURNS FOR TWO BACK-TO-BACK WEEKENDS OF CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (September 3, 2021) – The two biggest events on the 2021 national road calendar, the Canadian Road Championships for Masters, Elite, Junior and Para athletes, are returning to Quebec for two weekends of exciting racing.

The Canadian Road Championships for Masters athletes, combined with the Gran Fondo World Series (GFWS), are heading to Victoriaville, Quebec, from September 3-6. The event will kick off on Friday with the individual time trial, followed by the road races for all categories on Saturday, both of which are GFWS qualification events. Sunday will see riders compete in the Appalachian Classic and the GFWS road races, with criterium races rounding off the final day of competition on Monday.

The following weekend, the Canadian Road Championships for Elite, Junior and Para athletes return to Beauce, with races scheduled to take place from September 10-12. Over 350 athletes from all over the country will be looking to secure Canadian titles in the time trial and road race, the criterium being cancelled due to COVID-19 implications.

“Following a two-year hiatus of national road events, we are thrilled to see the Canadian Road Championships return to the calendar this year,” said Cycling Canada’s Events & Officials Manager, Jolène Dupuis. “We are expecting a great set of events and performances with our back-to-back competitions, starting with the Masters this weekend, and our Elite, Junior, and Para athletes the following week. We are confident that the organizers have offered courses that will be fun and challenging for all athletes.”

The Elite, Junior and Para Championships will begin on Friday, September 10, with the individual time trial for all categories, which will be held on the outskirts of Saint-Prosper, over distances ranging from 11 to 34 kilometres.

Saturday and Sunday will see the road race titles awarded, beginning with the Junior women on Saturday morning (86.7 km), followed by the U23 and Elite men, who will complete 198.9 kilometres, including 5 laps of the circuit in the city of Saint-Georges. The following day, Para athletes will compete in eight different categories, completing distances ranging from 30.5 to 73.5 kilometres on the 6.1-kilometre city circuit. In the afternoon, both Junior men and Elite women will tackle the 114.6-kilometre course, finishing with two laps of the circuit.

Despite several defending champions being absent, the field will be stacked with prominent athletes, including Olympians Hugo Houle (Astana-Premier Tech), Antoine Duchesne (Groupama-FDJ), Derek Gee and Alison Jackson (Liv Racing). Elevate – Webiplex Pro Cycling’s Jordan Cheyne will also be a contender on the men’s side, while his teammate Adam Roberge will be looking to bring home the Elite time trial title after winning the U23 title in 2019.

Several strong riders are expected to put the hammer down in the women’s field besides Jackson, including Rally Cycling’s Sara Poidevin, Marie-Soleil Blais, cyclo-cross star Maghalie Rochette and the 2019 U23 champion Olivia Baril. On the para-cycling side, Paralympians Marie-Ève Croteau, Charles Moreau, Joey Desjardins and Marie-Claude Molnar will be onsite and looking to add Canadian champion to their long list of accomplishments.

Please note that due to Quebec’s rules around the vaccine passport, all participants will be required to show proof of vaccination on site. More information can be found here.

September 3, 2021/by Communications

CARSON MATTERN WINS THE RAINBOW JERSEY AT THE JUNIOR TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Cairo, Egypt (September 3, 2021) – Canada kicked off the Junior Track World Championships in Cairo, Egypt with a stellar performance by Carson Mattern, who won a gold medal and the world title in the men’s Scratch Race.

After flying through qualifications earlier that day, the Junior rider from Ontario rode his way to the top, edging out Switzerland’s Pascal Tappeiner and Italy’s Lorenzo Ursella to claim the gold medal and rainbow jersey in the final. Mattern’s win marks the first junior World Champion title since Maggie Coles-Lyster’s gold in the women’s Points Race in 2017 and Canada’s second Junior track cycling title ever.

Racing continues today with the Points Race and Individual Pursuit. The full race schedule and results can be found here.

September 3, 2021/by Communications

CANADIAN CYCLISTS WRAP UP PARALYMPIC GAMES WITH THREE MEDALS

TOKYO (September 2, 2021) – Following Canada’s medal haul on the track last week where Keely Shaw, Tristen Chernove and Kate O’Brien each finished on the podium, Canada wrapped up the para-cycling events at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on Thursday after three days of road racing. Eight athletes competed in the time trial and road races after Chernove made the decision to retire with immediate effect following the track races.

The road events kicked off on Tuesday with the time trial for athletes of all categories, where Keely Shaw finished 4^th in the women’s C4 competition, while Rio 2016 silver medallist Ross Wilson (C1) was 7^th.

The following day, Charles Moreau, Joey Desjardins and Alex Hyndman tackled the highly competitive men’s H3 road race, with Moreau aiming to repeat his 2016 podium finish. Unfortunately, he flatted early in the first lap and wasn’t able to make his way back to the front of the pack, finishing 10^th behind teammate Desjardins who was 8^th. Hyndman was 11^th.

On Canada’s last day of racing, athletes faced brutal conditions at the Fuji International Speedway, with heavy rain and fog making the course slippery with limited visibility. Despite this Shelley Gautier finished 5^th in the women’s T1-2 road race – the first T1 rider to cross the line. Marie-Ève Croteau (T2) was forced to abandon in the same event after crashing out of the lead group. Keely Shaw (C4) was 13^th in the women’s C4-5 event, while Ross Wilson (C1) did not finish the men’s C1-3 road race.

“We really didn’t know what we’d get when we came into these Paralympic Games, but I’m proud to say our team put athletes’ health and wellbeing ahead of medals – that meant avoiding unnecessary travel and missing some competition opportunities, which had an impact on some of our performances,” said Cycling Canada’s High Performance Director, Kris Westwood. “In these circumstances, we can be happy to come out of the Games with three medals, particularly since two of them came from Paris-targeted athletes. We can now turn our focus to finding the next generation of cycling Paralympians. I would encourage anyone interested in para-cycling to reach out to us to learn more about the sport.”

Medal Tally

Kate O’Brien – Silver (C4 500m Time Trial)

Tristen Chernove – Silver (C1 Individual Pursuit)

Keely Shaw – Bronze (C4 Individual Pursuit)

For full results, click here.

September 2, 2021/by Communications

2021 MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WRAP UP WITH VICTORIES AND MILESTONES TO CELEBRATE

Val di Sole, Italy (August 30, 2021) – After six stunning days in Val di Sole, Italy, 55 Canadian cross-country and downhill riders have officially wrapped up the 2021 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. The week proved successful for many riders, including first-year Junior downhiller Jackson Goldstone who won the world title, as well as Gracey Hemstreet who clinched bronze in the Junior women’s race, on top of 16 other top-20 finishes.

“Our downhill team had a very successful week here in Val di Sole said Team Manager Adam Walker and Coach Claire Boucher. “While the podiums and results are definitely a highlight, we are even more excited about the growth of this program and potential of our athletes and staff as a team. We genuinely feel that the future is bright for DH in Canada.”

The week also saw the introduction of the new Short Track event, with 7 Canadian men and women qualifying for the final round. Qualifiers included Laurie Arseneault (19^th) and Quinton Disera (16^th) who were Canada’s top finishers in the event. They were joined by Sandra Walter, Haley Smith, Peter Disera, Tyler Orschel and Marc-Andre Fortier in the final.

There was also plenty to celebrate on the Elite side with Catharine Pendrel riding in her 17^th and final World Championships. Pendrel finished on a high note, placing 22^nd to earn the best Elite result of the day. Her accolade comes off the heels of the Tokyo Olympic Games, where she raced into an impressive 18^th place.

Shaking off some of the cobwebs after a pause on international racing, Mountain Bike National Head Coach, Dan Proulx, said athletes are getting back into the swing of things and is happy with the progress the Canadian team has made.

“We definitely have a renewed appreciation for the importance of racing regularly and reliably as part of building an athlete’s engine for optimal performance each year,” said Proulx. “We’re getting better every race, but we still have a way to go. I’m confident we’ll get there. We have a lot of ambitious and talented riders to work with who are eager to be successful at the highest level. We’re strengthening our programs to make sure they get there.”

Athletes will head to Switzerland next with their professional teams to continue international racing for the fifth world cup of the season. Full results can be found here.

August 30, 2021/by Communications

FOUR NEW CANADIAN CHAMPIONS CROWNED AT CANADIAN BMX CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CALGARY

Calgary, Alberta (August 30, 2021) – Over 600 riders from all over the country came out for the first Canadian BMX Championships in over two years, which were held in Calgary, Alberta on August 28^th. Titles and maple leaf jerseys were awarded in the women’s and men’s categories for Junior (17-18) and Elite (19+) riders, with medals awarded in the Challenge classes for age group racing from as young as 5 years old.

Alberta and British Columbia dominated the titles, with each province winning two national champions jerseys, while Quebec was also represented on the podium. First-year Elite Molly Simpson of Red Deer, AB, took the win in the Elite women’s field, with Olympian Drew Mechielsen unable to defend her title due to a foot injury. In the Junior category, World Championship silver medallist Teigen Pascual of Squamish, BC, dominated the field to earn her first Junior title.

“The Canadian BMX Championships have always been one of my favourite races,” said Simpson. “Racing in front of a home crowd and on Canadian soil makes the race that much more exciting. Receiving the maple leaf sleeve is an honour and this weekend was definitely a memorable moment in my career.”

The men’s Elite title was also up for grabs with Olympian James Palmer unable to compete due to a training injury. The battle for the title played out between brothers Alex and Ryan Tougas of Pitt Meadows, BC, with Ryan ultimately coming out on top to win his first Canadian champion jersey. In the Junior field, Max Ganakovsky of Calgary, AB won all three motos to claim the title.

“It was exciting to be back racing in front of a crowd after a two-year break,” said Tougas. “It means a lot to me to be the new Canadian champion. I have always looked up to older riders who got the chance to wear the sleeve, so I’m super excited to come out with the win. Thank you to everyone at Calgary BMX who had everything running smoothly this weekend.”

Results

Junior Women: 1- Teigen Pascual 2- Isabella Bregliano 3- Céleste Bigras
Junior Men: 1- Max Ganakovsky 2- Dylan Tremel 3- Jacob Shaw
Elite Women: 1- Molly Simpson 2- Brianne Vanderkuip
Elite Men: 1- Ryan Tougas 2- Alex Tougas 3- Edouard Brisebois

For full results, please click here.

August 30, 2021/by Communications

ONE WORLD TITLE AND TWO PODIUMS FOR CANADIAN DH JUNIOR ATHLETES AT MTB WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

VAL DI SOLE, Italy (August 29, 2021) – Canadian athletes did not disappoint on the sixth and final day of racing at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, bringing home two medals in the Junior Downhill competition. British Columbia’s Jackson Goldstone finished in the top spot, winning both the gold medal and the world champion’s jersey, while Gracey Hemstreet clinched the bronze.

After qualifying second on Friday, first-year Junior Goldstone was able to overtake the top seeded rider from Ireland with a time of 3:37.097, a whooping 1.812 seconds faster than his opponent and almost five seconds faster than his qualifying time to take the top spot. Goldstone, who is the current world cup leader after winning several competitions this season, will be proudly wearing the world champion’s jersey for the next year.

“The final was absolutely amazing,” said Goldstone after winning the rainbow jersey. “My run was really good. I had a couple unclips […] but don’t think it slowed me down too much, so I’m pretty stoked with my run. It feels really good to be the World Champ and I’ll try and hold this one proud for Canada.”

Shortly after Goldstone’s epic win, Canadian teammate Gracey Hemstreet completed her run with a time of 4:44.11, which landed her in third place to claim the bronze medal in the Junior women’s category behind Izabela Yankova of Bulgaria and Kine Haugom of Norway.

“I’m so excited to represent Canada and stoked I medaled at my first World Championships,” said Hemstreet. “Thank you to Cycling Canada and the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation for the support here in Val Di Sole.”

In other results, Canadian champion Finn Iles was Canada’s top Elite finisher, earning a solid 9^th spot, while Mark Wallace finished in 13^th place. In the women’s field, Rachel Pageau was 18^th, while Jennifer McHugh was 23^rd.

August 29, 2021/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA SENDS JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT SQUADS TO INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS

Ottawa, ON (August 27, 2021) – Cycling Canada is reinforcing its commitment to Junior development by sending three development squads across road and track to compete at prestigious international races over the next four weeks.

The first event on the calendar will be the Junior women’s Bizkaikoloreak Feminas stage race, which will be held on August 28-29 across Spain. Seven Canadian women will be competing at the event before heading to the Netherlands for the Watersley Ladies Challenge on September 2-5. The races will be followed by other training camps and race opportunities in Europe.

Canada’s Junior men will also be heading to Europe to compete at the GP Rüebliland in Switzerland from September 3-5, followed by training and racing camps and capping off with the Keizer der Juniores on September 18-19 in Belgium.

“The goal of the road program at the moment is to give as many days of racing as possible to as many riders as possible,” said Richard Wooles, Cycling Canada’s Road Development Coach. “We’ve had quite a few projects over in Europe with the objective of giving numerous race opportunities to a big group of development riders so that they can gain experience for future years.”

Meanwhile, the Junior track cycling squad will be competing in Cairo, Egypt from September 1-5 at the UCI Junior Track World Championships. After being postponed on two occasions, the event officially kicks off next week with four riders selected to represent Canada at their first World Championships across various events. Multiple U17 Canadian champion Dylan Bibic will be leading the team before heading over to Europe to compete at the Keizer der Juniores with the rest of the road development squad.

“The last 18 months have been challenging for everyone – and Junior Track is no exception,” said Cycling Canada’s NextGen Lead Coach, Jenny Trew. “The riders who are going can be commended on their commitment to training as they have all made big gains during this time and I look forward to seeing what they can do on the world stage. The preparation camp was very successful, with all riders posting personal best times in the Individual Pursuit and looking on super form heading into Worlds next week!”

Team Canada

Junior Track Worlds
Dylan Bibic – Keirin, Points Race, Omnium, Madison, Elimination Race
Liam Langford – Keirin, Kilo
Carson Mattern – Scratch Race, Madison, Individual Pursuit
Campbell Parrish – Kilo, Individual Pursuit

Junior Women’s Road
Isla Walker – Bizkaikoloreak Feminas & Watersley Ladies Challenge
Kiara Lylyk – Bizkaikoloreak Feminas & Watersley Ladies Challenge
Nicole Bradbury – Bizkaikoloreak Feminas & Watersley Ladies Challenge
Dylan Baker – Bizkaikoloreak Feminas & Watersley Ladies Challenge
Coralie Houde – Bizkaikoloreak Feminas & Watersley Ladies Challenge
Lilly Ujfalusi – Bizkaikoloreak Feminas & Watersley Ladies Challenge
Ana Large – Bizkaikoloreak Feminas

Junior Men’s Road
Michael Leonard – GP Rüebliland & Keizer der Juniores
Matisse Julien – GP Rüebliland & Keizer der Juniores
Philippe Jacob – GP Rüebliland & Keizer der Juniores
Reid Kinniburgh – GP Rüebliland & Keizer der Juniores
Quentin Cowan – GP Rüebliland
Félix Hamel – GP Rüebliland
Dylan Bibic – Keizer der Juniores

August 27, 2021/by Communications

WORLD CHAMPION KATE O’BRIEN TAKES HOME SILVER IN THE WOMEN’S C4 500M TIME TRIAL

TOKYO (August 27, 2021) – World record holder & current world champion Kate O’Brien made her Paralympic debut on Friday in the women’s C4 500m Time Trial, where she set a time of 35.439 to take home the silver medal behind Kadeena Cox of Great Britain.

“The race today was definitely harder than I anticipated,” said O’Brien. “I felt like the start was pretty good and the last half lap I just didn’t quite have it in me but that’s ok. It’s an amazing feeling being here with everyone and coming back after my injury four years ago. When I really think about the fact that I wasn’t necessarily supposed to walk or ski or ride, it sort of blows my mind that I’m back on the track and doing the sport that I love.”

Canadian athletes have now completed the track events, earning a total of three medals over the course of three days. Racing resumes on August 31 with the Individual Time Trials for all categories. All competitions can be streamed on CBC Paralympics.

Medal Tally
Kate O’Brien – Silver (C4 500m Time Trial)
Tristen Chernove – Silver (C1 Individual Pursuit)
Keely Shaw – Bronze (C4 Individual Pursuit)

August 27, 2021/by Communications

TRISTEN CHERNOVE WINS SILVER IN THE MEN’S C1 INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT

TOKYO (August 26, 2021) – After a successful first day at the Paralympic Games which saw Keely Shaw earning a bronze medal in her Paralympic debut, Canada’s winning streak continued on day 2 with Tristen Chernove earning silver in the men’s C1 Individual Pursuit. He becomes Canada’s first silver medalist of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Chernove kicked off the day with a qualifying time of 3:40.591, which was fast enough to qualify for the gold medal final against Mikhail Astashov of the Russian Paralympic Committee. In the final, Astashov proved stronger, catching up to Chernove in the second half of the race to take the gold medal, with Chernove coming in second.

“The qualifying ride went fairly well and I was super thrilled to make it into the final,” said Chernove. “The final was not so great; I knew he [Astashov] would go out fast and I probably started too fast and was having some breathing issues which added to my blowing up that much sooner. It’s a pretty emotional Games for me because I am retiring from para-cycling after these Games and devoting much more of my time to my family so it’s going to be a Games of highs and lows but I’m really excited to move on to the next phase.”

Tomorrow, Kate O’Brien will be aiming for gold in the women’s C4 500m Time Trial, an event in which she is the current world record holder and world champion. All competitions can be streamed on CBC Paralympics.

August 26, 2021/by Communications

THE CANADIAN BMX CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO CALGARY THIS WEEKEND

Calgary, Alberta (August 25, 2021) – The Canadian BMX Championships and the third Canada Cup of the season will be returning to Calgary on August 28-29 for an exciting weekend of competition. After being cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, the event is back with over 500 riders of all ages and categories already pre-registered. Participants who wish to register onsite can consult the technical guide for more information.

Saturday will see riders competing for the maple leaf jersey in the Junior (17-18) and Elite (19+) categories for women and men, with medals awarded in the Challenge classes for age group racing from as young as 5 years old. Despite certain defending champions missing the event due to injuries, several high-profile athletes will be in attendance and looking to earn titles, including the UCI BMX World Championships Junior women’s silver medalist Teigen Pascual, first-year Elite Molly Simpson, as well as Alex Tougas, who will be returning to competition in the Elite men’s category after suffering from an injury in 2019. s

“We are thrilled to be hosting the 2021 Canadian BMX Championships and look forward to seeing all the riders, especially since the event was cancelled for the 2020 season,” said event organizer and President of the Calgary BMX Association, Jonas Tremel. “The event’s online pre-registration numbers have surpassed our expectations for this event and proves that the BMX community is eager to be back to racing.”

On Sunday, riders will compete in the third round of the BMX Canada Cup national series. Full event details can be found here.

August 25, 2021/by Communications