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CANADA FINISHES PARA ROAD WORLD CUP WITH SEVEN MEDALS

Baie-Comeau, QC (August 13, 2019) – Team Canada concluded the third and final round of the Para-cycling Road World Cup with seven medals, including three gold, three silver and one bronze medal. On Sunday, the final day of competition, Canadian riders added gold, silver and bronze medals to their total. Shelley Gautier took her second gold medal of the weekend in the Women’s T1 category, while Marie-Claude Molnar finished second in the Women’s C4 road race, adding a silver medal to the gold she won in the time trial. In the Men’s C2 road race, Tristen Chernove won a bronze medal to go with the silver he won in the time trial, also winning the overall World Cup title for C2 men.

“Today’s race was the epitome of why we do this,” said Chernove. “Seeing what challenges are ahead and making the best of every situation. Unfortunately, I discovered early in the race that I had a bike issue and couldn’t get into my big ring [gear]. I had to spin really fast, and I knew the sprint would be a challenge, but I knew I had to do everything to get on that podium, regardless of the adversity, and secure the overall win of the World Cup, which is what this weekend was all about.”

For full results, click here.

August 13, 2019/by Communications

TWO PODIUMS FOR CANADA AT LENZERHEIDE MTB WORLD CUP

Lenzerheide, Switzerland (August 12, 2019) – After a two year absence, Catharine Pendrel has returned to the World Cup podium, finishing fifth on Sunday at Round 7 of the Mountain Bike World Cup in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. Pendrel rode her way up to the leaders on the first lap before crashing and losing contact, eventually working her way back into the top five on the last lap. Pendrel’s fifth place also moved her into the top-10 in the overall standings.

“It felt good to smell the champagne on the podium!” admitted Pendrel. “I felt good, and I’ve been starting to put together some complete races. I knew I had it in me, but it’s still about believing that I belong up there, and that when I get up there to actually be racing for the front of the race. I was super happy to be up there, and it’s perfect timing going into Mont-Ste-Anne.”

Canadian Junior rider Seth Sherlock also scored a podium, becoming the first Canadian since Finn Iles in 2017 to win a Downhill World Cup, with his victory on Saturday.

“It was tough,” said Sherlock. “From training we were used to the dry track and then it got quite slippery for racing. It was hard to judge how fast we were going because the course changed, but it was actually grippier for the final. I was hoping to win one either this year or next year, but I never expected to do it at this race. I came into the year expecting top-15 and to qualify [for the final], so this is insane.”

August 12, 2019/by Communications

SETH SHERLOCK WINS DOWNHILL WORLD CUP IN LENZERHEIDE

Lenzerheide, Switzerland (August 10, 2019) – Canadian Junior rider Seth Sherlock became the the first Canadian since Finn Iles in 2017 to win a Downhill World Cup, with his victory on Saturday in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.

Sherlock, a first year Junior and the latest in a long line of top mountain bikers from Squamish, BC, qualified third on Friday, however, the weather changed overnight from dry and dusty to wet and foggy. Sherlock led at every time split, recording a time of 3:03.899, to finish 0.462 seconds ahead of Janosch Klaus (TeamProject.ch) and 1.250 seconds in front of Tuhoto-Ariki Pene (Subway NZ MTB Hub). Other Canadian results include Elliot Jamieson (Norco Factory) in fourth and Lucas Cruz (SRAM TLD Racing) 13th.

“It was tough,” said Sherlock. “From training we were used to the dry track and then it got quite slippery for racing. It was hard to judge how fast we were going because the course changed, but it was actually grippier for the final. I was hoping to win one either this year or next year, but I never expected to do it at this race. I came into the year expecting top-15 and to qualify [for the final], so this is insane.”

August 12, 2019/by Communications

CANADA WINS FOUR MEDALS ON OPENING DAYS OF THE PARA ROAD WORLD CUP

Baie-Comeau, QC (August 10, 2019) – Team Canada won four medals in the Individual Time Trial on the first two days of the Para-Cycling Road World Cup in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. On Thursday, World champion Shelley Gautier won the Women’s T1 race with a time of 24:23.74 over 9.45 kilometres, while Charles Moreau finished second in the Men’s H3 time trial, covering 18.9 kilometres in a time of 33:13.32, 50 seconds behind winner Vico Merklein of (Germany).

On Friday, Marie-Claude Molnar won the Women’s C4 18.9 kilometre time trial, with a time of 31:07.05, finishing more than two minutes ahead of her nearest rival, Katell Alencon of France. In the Men’s C2 time trial, Tristen Chernove took the silver medal with a time of 27:33.95, a mere 11.6 seconds behind winner Darren Hicks of Australia.

“Winning at home is always special because people are carrying us,” said Molnar. “Today’s performance is the result of being home and executing a plan that has been well built and practiced so many times! I’m proud of what has been accomplished today, even more so because it’s at home.”

Competition continues Saturday and Sunday with the road race events for H, T, C and B categories. Click here for full results and schedules.

August 10, 2019/by Communications

LAURIE JUSSAUME WINS BRONZE IN THE ITT AT PAN AM GAMES

Lima, Peru (August 7, 2019) – Laurie Jussaume won her second medal of the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru, on Wednesday, finishing third in the 18.5 kilometre women’s Individual Time Trial with a time of 26:27.15. American Chloe Dygart took the top spot with a time of 23:36.51, with Teniel Campbell of Trinidad and Tobago taking silver. Canada’s other entrant in the event, Miriam Brouwer, finished fifth, 7.26 seconds behind Jussaume.

“With the start delayed, we had to adjust a little bit,” said Jussaume, “but I think I was ready for the start, so I’m pretty happy. I executed my ride well. It was a pretty fast course, flat but with some wind. It was a good time for me, I had good power. My plan was to conserve on the way out to the turnaround and then still have some energy to hit the little hill on the way back pretty hard, then empty myself for the last 3K after the hill. I managed my energy well, so when I got to the line I was empty.”

Competition continues tomorrow with BMX Supercross races on August 8-9, road on August 10 and BMX Freestyle on August 11. For a complete list of schedules and results, click here.

August 7, 2019/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH RACK ATTACK

Ottawa, ON (August 6, 2019) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce Rack Attack as its latest official supplier. Rack Attack is North America’s Premier retailer of vehicle rack solutions and will be named the Official Rack Retailer of Cycling Canada.

Through the partnership Rack Attack will provide the national federation with vehicle rack products and service support for the purposes of transporting bikes, for both the Canadian National Team as well as Cycling Canada domestic event and development programs. The retailer will also provide benefits and support to Cycling Canada’s membership and will be working closely with both Cycling BC and the Ontario Cycling Association.

In addition to the benefits for Cycling Canada’s National Team, Cycling Canada members will be entitled to a 10% discount on online or in-store Rack Attack products.

“Rack Attack has always been committed to the cycling community and our partnership with Cycling Canada only solidifies our position,” said Alexander Welbers, CEO of Rack Attack. “We are looking forward to working with the team, the athletes and all other cycling enthusiasts.”

“We are proud to welcome Rack Attack to our family of partners and suppliers,” commented Cycling Canada Executive Director Matt Jeffries. “We are grateful for the support they will be providing for our organization and our Canadian cycling community.”

August 6, 2019/by Communications

KELSEY MITCHELL WINS GOLD FOR CANADA AT LIMA 2019

Lima, Peru (August 5, 2019) – Canada concluded the track portion of the Pan Am Games on Sunday with a gold medal by Kelsey Mitchell in the women’s Sprint and a silver medal in the women’s Madison. Mitchell, who was discovered through the RBC Training Ground program, set a new Pan Am Games record on Saturday in the Flying 200 metre time trial, and went on to win every heat on her way to the gold medal, beating Martha Bayona of Colombia in two straight rides in the final.

“I can’t even explain it. It’s amazing, an incredible feeling that’s for sure,” said Mitchell. “I’m pretty new, so I’m just slowly getting up to the top and soaking it all in. Since day one I was so frustrated with not being good on the bike and I just wanted to be the best and kept working hard. Everyone told me to trust the process, and I mean, I trusted them and it’s all paid off, it’s working out.”

The duo of Maggie Coles-Lyster and Miriam Brouwer also won Canada’s first Pan Am medal in the women’s Madison, coming second behind the United States. Competition continues on August 7-11 with Road, BMX and BMX Freestyle competitions.

August 5, 2019/by Communications

CANADA’S WOMEN’S TEAM PURSUIT SQUAD WINS SILVER AT LIMA 2019

Lima, Peru (August 3, 2019) – Team Canada took their second silver medal in cycling at the Pan Am Games in as many days, in the women’s Team Pursuit on Friday. The Canadian squad of Erin Attwell, Miriam Brouwer, Maggie Coles-Lyster and Laurie Jussaume recorded a time of 4:27.799 for the gold medal race against the USA, a personal best for the NextGen squad. The American team recorded 4:24.099 for the win.

“I mean being a development team athlete, it’s pretty incredible especially coming to my first Pan Am Games, and coming away with a medal is something I would not have been able to say that we are going to do that beforehand. It just shows that the amount of work that we put in is really paying off and the puzzle pieces are slowly coming together. I feel this group has a whole lot more to offer, but it’s a good starting point. It’s just an amazing learning experience and I’m looking forward to more opportunities like this,” said Erin Attwell.

In other competitions, Kelsey Mitchell finished fifth in the women’s Keirin after winning her first heat earlier in the day. Competition continues on Saturday with the women’s Sprint and Omnium events.

August 3, 2019/by Communications

CANADA SENDS STRONG SQUAD TO BAIE-COMEAU WORLD CUP

Ottawa, ON (August 2, 2019) – Cycling Canada will conclude the para-cycling road world cup season on home soil in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, with the third and final round of the Road World Cup on August 8-11. Canada will send a team of 20 riders across all categories, including world and Paralympic champions.

“For the final para-cycling World Cup of the season, the Canadian Para-Cycling National Team will be composed of athletes from both the High Performance and Development groups,” said Sebastien Travers, national para coach at Cycling Canada. “As this event is the only out-of-Europe World Cup of the season, we are expecting a high level of competitiveness, with other nations sending strong squads for the qualification to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. The Baie-Comeau World Cup will be a good indicator of the efficiency of the work done during the summer and will help establish the next priorities for the team.”

“The high performance group will be targeting medal performances and the event will be the final tune up before the Para-cycling Road World Championships, which will be held three weeks later. We expect solid results, as some athletes will be fighting to win the World Cup overall ranking.”

Athletes will compete in time trial events on Thursday and Friday, followed by the road races on Saturday and Sunday.

Women

Annie Bouchard – Tandem [Baie-St-Paul, QC]
Evelyne Gagnon – Tandem Pilot [Quebec City, QC]
Marie-Eve Croteau – T2 [Quebec City, QC]
Kara Douville – H4 [Calgary, AB]
Shelley Gautier – T1 [Toronto, ON]
Marie-Claude Molnar – C4 [St Hubert, QC]
Carla Shibley – Tandem [Calgary, AB]
Meghan Lemiski – Tandem Pilot [Calgary, AB]

Men

Daniel Chalifour – Tandem [Mont-Laurier, QC]
Jean-Michel Lachance – Tandem Pilot [Quebec City, QC]
Tristen Chernove – C2 [Cranbrook, BC]
Joey Desjardins – H3 [Hawkesbury, ON]
Patrick Desnoyers – H5 [Blainville, QC]
Alex Hyndman – H3 [Morpeth, ON]
Matthew Kinnie – H2 [Riverview, NB]
Charles Moreau – H3 [Victoriaville, QC]
Mike Shetler – T2 [Kirkland, QC]
Lowell Taylor – Tandem [Lethbridge, AB]
Andrew Davidson – Tandem Pilot [Calgary, AB]
Ross Wilson – C1 [Sherwood Park, AB]

August 2, 2019/by Communications

TEAM CANADA WINS SILVER IN TEAM SPRINT AT LIMA 2019

Lima, Peru (August 2, 2019) – Canada won its first cycling medal on Thursday evening at the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru, with a silver medal in the women’s Team Sprint. Amelia Walsh and Kelsey Mitchell finished with a time of 34.096, behind the Mexican team who established a new Pan Am record of 33.424. The women’s Team Pursuit also completed two solid rides to make their way into the gold medal final against USA.

“We took a pretty big risk and put me up about four inches on the front to see if we could get any time back,” said Amelia Walsh. “I think with the conditions of the track, it wasn’t a bad ride for us as a team. I’m quite proud of it. A medal is a medal, I’ll take it. I competed in TORONTO 2015 in BMX and it wasn’t good at all, so this is a very big step up. I’m really happy.”

“The second ride was definitely better than the first one, technically and speed wise. The second ride just felt easier. When our technical execution is there, everyone is able to settle and ride well together, there is no panic and we just come into this with confidence. And I think that’s exactly what we need to show up with tomorrow night, calm, confident, go in and crush that final ride,” said Maggie Coles-Lyster.