News – Page 72 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

CHERNOVE WINS CANADA’S FOURTH GOLD MEDAL AT PARA ROAD WORLDS

Maniago, Italy (August 5, 2018) – Tristen Chernove of Cranbrook, BC, successfully defended his men’s C2 road race world title on Sunday, the final day of competition at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy. Chernove’s medal was Canada’s fourth gold medal and seventh overall for the Championships, with two silvers and one bronze adding to the total. Canada finished the world championships ranked fifth overall by world titles.

Chernove, who had won a silver medal in the time trial two days earlier, beat 12 other riders in a field sprint at the end of the 68 kilometre race. Alejandro Perea Arango of Colombia won the silver medal and Darren Hicks of Australia the bronze.

“I had a ton of confidence coming in here,” said Chernove. “Although I spent a lot of time on the front, I felt like I was in control. I just wanted to stay safe, pick my line and stay out of hazard’s way. I was surging and keeping control of the pace and making the others hurt. Then it got tactical when I needed to recover for my sprint.”

“I knew I’d be sprinting from a slower speed, so I wanted to be first wheel on the final corner on the cobbles. I pretty much rode to my plan and it came out great. I came to the Worlds really wanting to win the road race. I was willing to do anything to win and was super happy the way it turned out.”

In other Canadian results, Marie-Claude Molnar of St Hubert, Quebec, finished seventh and Keely Shaw of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was eighth in the women’s C4 category, while Nicole Clermont of St Denis de Brompton, Quebec, was tenth in women’s C5. In men’s C1, Ross Wilson of Edmonton was 14th and Michael Sametz of Calgary was 14^th in the men’s C3. Canada’s lone entry in the men’s Tandem, Daniel Chalifour (Mont-Laurier, QC) and his pilot Jean Michel Lachance (Quebec City, QC) finished seventh.

“The international level in Para-cycling is constantly rising,” said Sebastien Travers, Head Para Coach at Cycling Canada. “I’m glad to see we can keep up. Our athletes have achieved key performances which have led to high results both in terms of medals and qualification points. It’s above expectations for the level we are currently at. We come out of this world championships very satisfied with where we are two years from the [Tokyo 2020] Games. Besides the medals, we’re having top-5 and top-8 performances from our newcomers, which shows that our NextGen coaches are doing a great job.”

August 5, 2018/by Communications

GAUTIER WINS 14TH WORLD TITLE AT PARA ROAD WORLDS

Maniago, Italy (August 4, 2018) – Shelley Gautier of Toronto won the 14th world championship title of her career on Saturday at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, in Maniago, Italy. Gautier, who won the Time Trial title on Thursday, is undefeated at the world championships since 2010, the first year competition was held for her T1 category.

Gautier won the 27.2 kilometre, two lap, race in a time of one hour, five minutes and 36 seconds, finishing eight minutes and 13 seconds ahead of Yulia Sibagatova of Russia. Olga Tsybulskaia of Russia took the bronze medal.

“It was a really enjoyable experience today,” said Gautier. “It made me feel all the hard work I’ve done was really worth it. Winning for Canada made me happy and it made my team happy.”

In other competition, Charles Moreau of Victoriaville, Quebec, finished sixth in the men’s H3, 68 kilometre road race. Moreau was just six seconds off the podium. Jean-Francois Deberg of Belgium won the title in a three-way sprint. Two other Canadian riders participated in the H3 race – Alex Hyndman of Morpeth, Ontario, finished 13th and Joey Desjardins of Hawksbury, Ontario, was 15th.

Canada is ranked fifth in nation standings after three days of competition with six medals – three gold, two silver and one bronze.

Competition concludes on Sunday with Bicycle and Tandem category road races.

August 5, 2018/by Communications

CANADA ADDS 2 GOLD & 2 SILVER MEDALS TO TALLY AT PARA ROAD WORLDS

Maniago, Italy (August 4, 2018) – Team Canada had a strong day on Friday at the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy, winning two gold medals and two silver medals to the bronze won on Thursday. Shelley Gautier (women’s T1) of Toronto and Michael Sametz (men’s C3) of Calgary successfully defended their world titles in the individual time trial event. Silver medals went to Ross Wilson (men’s C1) of Edmonton and Tristen Chernove (men’s C2) of Cranbrook, BC.

Gautier continued her unbroken string of world championship wins, dating back to 2010, with Friday’s victory her 13th gold medal. Gautier’s time for the 13.6 kilometre race was 31 minutes and 9.85 seconds, almost two minutes ahead of Yulia Sibagatova of Russia, with Olga Tsybulskaia of Russia taking the bronze medal.

“I took guidance from my coaches and my training partner and it all went as planned,” said Gautier. “It was a fun race when everything came together perfectly. I’d like to thank all of the Cycling Canada staff who helped Team Shelly win a seventh TT world championships!”

Michael Sametz, who has been unbeatable this season in World Cup competition, took the second title of his career. Sametz won the 27.2 kilometre C3 race with a time of 35 minutes and 20.29 seconds. Matthias Schindler of Germany was second at 1:26.37 and Benjamin Watson of Great Britain third at 1:30.43.

“I felt ok coming in to the Worlds,” said Sametz. “During the TT I realized how good I was feeling and went from there. It was a good fast course – it had everything. And it was great to have the locals coming out and cheering us on.”

Tristen Chernove, the defending world champion in his C2 category, finished 5.57 seconds behind Arslan Gilmutdinov of Russia, with Alejandro Perea Arango of Colombia taking the bronze medal. Ross Wilson repeated as silver medalist in his 13.6 kilometre C1 race, only 2.12 seconds behind repeating champion Michael Teuber of Germany, with Ricardo Ten Argiles of Spain in third.

“Silver is obviously a bittersweet pill to swallow,” admitted Wilson. “But the objective is Tokyo not Maniago, and I continue to progress towards my goals. Kudos to our whole support team – we’re building towards excellence at the Paralympics.”

August 4, 2018/by Communications

HYNDMAN WINS FIRST PARA ROAD WORLDS MEDAL FOR CANADA

Maniago, Italy (August 2, 2018) – Canada opened the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships with a bronze medal on the first day of competition in Maniago, Italy. Alex Hyndman of Morpeth, Ontario, finished third in the men’s H3 category individual time trial.

Hyndman’s time for the 13.6 kilometre race against the clock was 21 minutes and 20.58 seconds, 12.95 seconds behind winner Federico Mestroni of Italy. Paolo Cecchetto of Italy took the silver medal.

“It was an achievement just to make it to Worlds after having an off year,” said Hyndman. “Making the podium…I don’t know what to say. I was able to execute my strategy perfectly. As far as making the podium, I was hoping for a top-8. I crashed here last year in the rain, which made me hammer the brakes this year. I’ve been struggling to get within a minute of the top guys so to finish within 12 seconds is a huge achievement.”

Two other members of Team Canada raced in the H3 category on Thursday, with Charles Moreau of Victoriaville, Quebec, finishing 11th despite crashing, and Joey Desjardins of Hawksbury, Ontario, finishing 12th.

On Friday, Canada will have three defending world champions competing in the time trial – Shelley Gautier of Toronto in women’s T1, Tristen Chernove of Cranbrook, BC, in C2 men and Michael Sametz of Calgary in men’s C3.

August 2, 2018/by Communications

VERBEECK & MANSON WIN NATIONAL DH TITLES

Panorama, BC (July 30, 2018) – BC riders took all four of the Elite and Junior titles on Sunday at the 2018 Canadian Downhill Championships in Panorama, BC. Vaea Verbeeck (Rocky Mtn/Deity/Shimano), the 2014 national champion, won the women’s title, while Magnus Manson (Canyon) won the men’s.

More than 200 riders took part in the Championships, with Canadian maple leaf jerseys awarded for both women and men in Under-17, Junior (17-18), Elite (19+) and Masters age group categories (30-39, 40-49 and 50+ for men, and 30+ for women).

“A big thanks to everyone involved in making the 2018 Canadian Championships a great success,” said Josh Peacock, Competitions Coordinator at Cycling Canada. “The organization presented a top-notch event and the staff at Panorama Mountain Resort went the extra mile to create some amazing new trails which challenged Canada’s best. We are very excited to return to Panorama for the 2019 edition of the Championships, which will include the Enduro for the first time.”

It is the first Elite title for Manson, who qualified fifth on Saturday, but won an extremely tight competition in the final for the men’s title. The three medalists were separated by only 36/100ths of a second, with Manson recording 3:04.77, silver medalist Hugo Langevin (Devinci Development Team) only two-hundredths of a second back and bronze medalist Mark Wallace (Canyon Factory) at 36/100ths of a second. Defending champion Kirk McDowall (Dunbar Cycles Devinci) had qualified first, but crashed in the final.

“I’m stoked, this is what you go for,” said Manson. “The level in Canada has gone up so much; there are tons of guys qualifying for World Cups and a few years ago that wasn’t happening. I love this track, it’s got everything; there’s rocks, there’s roots, there’s dust, it’s a fun track.”

In the women’s race, Verbeeck qualified first, followed by defending Canadian champion and reigning world champion Miranda Miller (Specialized). The final was the same, with Verbeeck’s winning time of 3:34.41, 4.90 seconds faster than Miller. B.C.’s Georgia Astle finished third, a further 6.91 seconds back.

“It feels awesome to win the title,” said Verbeeck. “It’s been four years since I won, and winning with Miranda competing is super sweet. I have huge respect for her. I loved the new parts of the course; it’s closer to what a World Cup course is like.”

In the Junior women’s competition, BC-based Spanish rider Ainhoa Ijurko was the top finisher, but ineligible for the title, with second placed Piper Allman the new champion. In the Junior men’s race, World Cup rider Lucas Cruz (Trek BC Devo) won the title ahead of Ian Milley.

July 30, 2018/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES PARA ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM

Maniago, Italy (July 30, 2018) – Cycling Canada has announced the team of 12 athletes who will represent Canada at the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Maniago, Italy, on August 2-5. The team includes multiple Rio Paralympic and world championship medalists. All athletes are scheduled to compete in both Time Trial and Road Race events.

“Although we are sending a smaller team to Road Worlds this year, the expectations do remain high,” said Sebastien Travers, Para Head Coach for Cycling Canada. “The performances that the athletes will deliver are crucial at this time in the Olympic quadrennial; with all top athletes attending this event, we will have a clear understanding of what needs to be done in the next 24 months to shine in Tokyo. We look forward to racing in Maniago and on its challenging courses, as it will showcase what our athletes are capable of.”

The team is led by three defending world champions – Shelley Gautier of Toronto, who is undefeated since 2010 in the Women’s T1 category; Tristen Chernove of Cranbrook, BC, in the Men’s C2; and Michael Sametz of Calgary in the Men’s C3. The team also includes three-time Paralympic tandem competitor Daniel Chalifour, who is returning to competition after breaking his femur last year in a crash during a World Cup in Maniago.

Women
Nicole Clermont – C5 [St Denis de Brompton, QC]
Shelley Gautier – T1 [Toronto, ON]
Marie-Claude Molnar – C4 [St-Hubert, QC]
Keely Shaw – C4 [Saskatoon, SK]

Men
Daniel Chalifour – Tandem [Mont-Laurier, QC]
Jean Michel Lachance – Tandem Pilot [Quebec City, QC]
Tristen Chernove – C2 [Cranbrook, BC]
Joey Desjardins – H3 [Hawksbury, ON]
Alex Hyndman – H3 [Morpeth, ON]
Charles Moreau – H3 [Victoriaville, QC]
Michael Sametz – C3 [Calgary, AB]
Ross Wilson – C1 [Sherwood Park, AB]

July 30, 2018/by Communications

DH CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO PANORAMA THIS WEEKEND

Milton, ON (July 27, 2018) – One week after the XCO Canadian Mountain Bike Championships were held in Canmore, Alberta, the action continues with the Downhill (DHI) Championships returning to the well-known venue of Panorama, BC, which has a long history of producing top level competition.

“We are very excited to cap off a solid block of western DH racing at Panorama Mountain Resort for the 2018 edition of the DH Canadian Championships,” said Josh Peacock, Competitions Coordinator at Cycling Canada. “Known as one of Canada’s most iconic DH race venues, riders should expect a top-notch race course, which promises to create some tight competition for the maple leaf jersey.”

The competition will begin on Saturday, July 28th, with official seeding runs for Men and Women in the Elite and Junior categories. Sunday, July 29th, the Championship races will take place for all categories. Canadian red and white maple leaf jerseys will be awarded for both women and men in Under-17, Junior (17-18), Elite (19+) and Masters age group categories (30-39, 40-49 and 50+ for men, 30+ for women).

Among the athletes expected to be in attendance are World Cup professional riders Mark Wallace (Canyon Factory), Magnus Manson and Henry Fitzgerald (Norco Factory) in the Elite men’s category. Defending men’s champion Kirk McDowall (Dunbar Cycles) and 2016 women’s champion Vaea Verbeeck will also be on the start line.

July 27, 2018/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES JUNIOR TRACK WORLDS TEAM

Milton, ON (July 26, 2018) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the team of nine athletes who will represent Canada at the UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships, to be held in Aigle, Switzerland, between August 15th and 19th.

All but one of the athletes will be competing at the world championships for the first time, with Micaiah Besler of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, the only rider returning from last year’s team.

The team will be led by two Victoria riders – Sarah Van Dam, who won six women’s national titles at the Junior Track Championships, and Riley Pickrell, who won five men’s national titles. Pickrell is also coming off a highly successful Tour de l’Abitibi stage race, where he won three stages plus the Points Jersey.

The athletes are currently training at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario and will be there August 10th, before leaving for Switzerland. Women’s NextGen Track Endurance Coach Jenny Trew will be the lead coach on the project.

“Given history of success that we have built over the last few years with World Championship titles being won by Stefan Ritter and Maggie Coles-Lyster, and new Canadian records in the Team Pursuit, it’s truly exciting to be involved with our Junior athletes,” said Jenny Trew. “I’m really looking forward to getting to work with the best junior athletes from all over the country, especially as a NextGen coach working with development athletes, as we prepare in Milton for the Junior Track World Championships in Switzerland.”

Endurance Women [Hometown] – Personal Coach
Sarah Van Dam [Victoria, BC] – Richard Wooles
Kaitlyn Rauwerda [Hamilton, ON] – Rick Lee
Micaiah Besler [Saskatoon, SK] – Houshang Amiri
Ainsley Black [Jerseyville, ON] – Rick Lee
Victoria Slater [Hamilton, ON] – Rick Lee

Endurance Men [Hometown] – Personal Coach
Riley Pickrell [Victoria, BC] – Richard Wooles
Jackson Kinniburgh [Calgary, AB] – Tanya Dubnicoff

Sprint Men [Hometown] – Personal Coach
Tyler Davies [Vancouver, BC] – Keith Bruneau
Ethan Ogrodniczuk [Vancouver, BC] – Tim Sherstobitoff

July 26, 2018/by Communications

CANADIANS SHINE AT THE 5OTH TOUR DE L’ABITIBI

Val-d’Or, QC (July 24, 2018) – The 50th edition of the Tour de l’Abitibi concluded on Sunday with Team Canada’s Riley Pickrell winning his third of seven stages race and taking the Points Jersey for the overall competition. Riley Sheehan led a Team USA sweep of the overall podium, and became only the fourth rider in the history of the event to win both years he raced.

Connor Martin (TaG Cycling) was the top Canadian in the overall standings, finishing tenth, and also took the Polka Dot Jersey as the top climber in the race, as well as finishing third in the Best Young Rider category. Team Canada finished fourth in the Teams Classification, which was won by Team USA.

“The race was far more than I expected,” admitted Pickrell. “The strength of the international field is shocking and to come away with three stage wins is surreal. Abitibi was amazing. It is by far the favourite stage race I’ve competed in, due to the sportsmanship and fellowship created by hard international racing. I would often be amazed by the speed of the peloton as we flew through the Abitibi countryside.”

The team was directed by Scott McFarlane of Canadian professional development team Silber Pro Cycling for the first five stages, with Kevin Field, Road Program Manager at Cycling Canada, taking over for the final two stages.

“Three stage wins and the Points Classification highlighted a very successful Tour de l’Abitibi for Team Canada,” said McFarlane, who was attending Abitibi for the first time. “We also captured 38 valuable Nations Cup points. Riley really proved he has the class to win at the international level on the road after dominating the sprints throughout the race. In terms of the overall, Carson Miles was tracking for a top five in the ITT [Stage 3 individual time trial], when an unfortunate crash took him out of the GC. Better time trial preparation will raise Team Canada’s competition level in this race and add more top ten GC options. Having 3-4 riders in the top ten in GC after the ITT is very doable with the talent in this country.”

Kevin Field said, “It was really special for us to be here for the historic 50th edition and to see Team USA rewrite history. This is a pivotal race in the development of all our athletes and having a team with three first year athletes bodes well for our future. A special thanks to Scott McFarlane from Team Silber who stepped in to help lead the majority of the project.”

The only North American stop on the UCI Junior men’s Nations Cup, Abitibi has seen some legendary cyclists begin their international careers here, including Steve Bauer, Alex Stieda and Laurent Jalabert.

July 24, 2018/by Communications

TEAM B.C. WINS TEAM RELAY NATIONAL TITLE

Canmore, AB (July 23, 2018) – The 2018 Canadian XCO Championships concluded on Sunday with the Team Relay at the Nordic Centre in Canmore, Alberta. Team B.C. #1 took the title, a slim four seconds ahead of defending champions Norco Factory Racing.

The Team Relay consists of teams of four riders from different categories each racing a lap of the cross-country circuit before handing off to the next rider on the team. Each team must include at least one woman and no more than one Elite man.

The race quickly came down to three teams – B.C. #1, Norco and Pivot-OTE. Pivot-OTE (Raphael Auclair) took the lead on the first lap, followed by Norco (Quinton Disera) and B.C. #1 (Carter Woods), and continued to hold after two laps. However, B.C. #1’s Holden Jones rocketed through the field on the third lap to put his team in the lead by a few seconds as he handed off to the final rider – national men’s Under-23 champion Sean Fincham, who was up against Elite national champion Peter Disera of Norco.

Fincham started the lap only five seconds ahead of Disera, and the pair battled all lap. Disera would close to within a few metres of Fincham only to have to back off, allowing the gap to open again. At the finish, the gap remained four seconds. Pivot-OTE completed the podium.

July 23, 2018/by Communications