News – Page 79 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

CANADA CUP OPENS 28TH SEASON AT BEAR MOUNTAIN

Victoria, BC, March 31^st, 2018 – The 28th season of the Mountain Bike Canada Cup cross-country series opens on March 31st at Bear Mountain Resort, just outside Victoria, BC. The Canada Cup has been the career starting point for many of Canada’s top professional and Olympic riders.

Situated in the foothills of Mount Finlayson with breathtaking views of Victoria’s seaside harbour, Bear Mountain Resort is the national training centre for Canada’s mountain bike squad, and offers vistas of the Olympic Mountain Range, the Strait of Georgia and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

In addition to the UCI sanctioned competitions for Elite and Junior men and women, the Bear Mountain Canada Cup will offer racing for age categories from kids to Masters. The 5.97 kilometre circuit opens with a sustained climb on pavement and singletrack before a long rough and rooty descent.

All three of Canada’s Commonwealth Games athletes will race at Bear Mountain – national women’s champion Emily Batty (Trek Factory), Haley Smith (Norco Factory) and Leandre Bouchard (KMC-Ekoi-SR Suntour). They will be joined by Olympic bronze medalist and defending champion Catharine Pendrel (Clif Pro) and national men’s champion Peter Disera (Norco Factory).

Mathieu Boucher, Director of Performance Development at Cycling Canada, said, “We are thrilled to open the Canada Cup series for the third year in a row at Bear Mountain Resort, the Training Center for our national Mountain Bike Program. Riders will be treated to an amazing and challenging course with all the hospitality that Bear Mountain Resort has to offer. The event will showcase Canada’s top riders as well as top international pros who will begin their season with the opening round of the Canada Cup; it will be a week-end packed with action and fun for all the Mountain Bike Community!”

March 31, 2018/by Communications

CANADA ANNOUNCES TEAM FOR BMX WORLD CUP OPENER

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France, March 28, 2018 – Canada’s BMX squad begin their 2018 season this weekend with the first two rounds of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, which take place in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France, less than an hour outside of Paris. Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelins is the headquarters of the French cycling federation, and the covered BMX track is located next to the velodrome that hosted the 2015 Track World Championships.

Canada is sending a team of three riders to this event, led by two-time Olympian Tory Nyhaug of Coquitlam, BC. Nyhaug will be joined in the Elite men’s category by James Palmer of North Vancouver, BC, while Drew Mechielsen of Langley, BC, will compete in the Elite women’s category.

“It will be nice to race in France again, I haven’t raced here in many years,” said Nyhaug. “The atmosphere is always good and there will be a lot of fans. It’s the World Cup season, so let’s get after it!”

National BMX Coach Adam Muys said, “I’m excited to get the season going. We’ll see how our off-season training has helped us to improve. It’s a fairly new track, and I look forward to some exciting racing.”

March 28, 2018/by Communications

CANADA WINS FOURTH MEDAL ON FINAL DAY OF PARA TRACK WORLDS

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 26, 2018 – Canada ended the 2018 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with a fourth and final medal – a bronze for Tristen Chernove of Cranbrook, BC, in the men’s C1-3 Scratch Race. This is Chernove’s third medal of these Championships and gives him a complete set of gold, silver and bronze.

The only Canadian riders competing on the final day of competition were Chernove and Ross Wilson of Edmonton, Alberta, a C1 rider in the same race. The teammates worked together to put Chernove in a medal position. Alejandro Perea Arango of Colombia, who took the gold medal ahead of Chernove in the 1000 metre time trial, lapped the field to win the world title, with Chernove losing to Darren Hicks of Australia in the sprint for silver. Wilson finished tenth, the second C1 category athlete in the race.

“It’s been a great time here,” said Chernove, “with a little bit of deja vu from Rio [Paralympics] – a gold, a silver and a bronze! I’m very happy with the teamwork that Ross and I put together to get me up on the podium. It was definitely a team effort. Ross was continually attacking and that allowed me to not be marked, like I have been in the past. I got a little confused at the end because the bell rang with two to go [for race leader Perea Arango, a lap ahead] and I missed my jump for the sprint, unfortunately. But, I’m really happy with the result and really happy with the teamwork.”

Sebastien Travers, Para Head Coach for Cycling Canada, summarized the project, which saw Canada win a total of four medals – one gold, two silver and one bronze. “I’m very happy with the team’s results, with four medals. We also had two fourth place results and a tremendous fifth place for newcomer Keely Shaw [Saskatoon, Saskatchewan]. Overall, I’m pleased with how we stand compared to other nations that were here for these world championships; the level of competition was quite high. So we know exactly where we stand and exactly what we have to do. All of this cannot happen without the strong support of Cycling Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and a huge thanks to our staff, who worked tirelessly all week.”

March 26, 2018/by Communications

MOLNAR FOURTH AT PARA TRACK WORLDS

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 25, 2018 – Marie-Claude Molnar of St-Hubert, Quebec, was the top Canadian finisher on Day 3 of the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the Velodromo Municipal do Rio, the site of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Molnar was fourth in the women’s C4 Individual Pursuit, racing against Meg Lemon of Australia in the bronze medal final. Keely Shaw of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, racing at her first world championships, competed in the same event, finishing fifth.

“It was exhilarating to be able to come in and put in a top-5 finish on my first race, I can’t believe it,” said Keely Shaw. “I threw down a PB [Personal Best], which felt really pretty good. I’m just thankful for all the support I’ve had from Sebastien [Travers – Para Head Coach], Guillaume [Plourde – NextGen East coach] and Cycling Canada, Canada Sports Centre Saskatchewan … everybody’s just been fantastic. I entered cycling less than a year ago, and to find myself here in Rio at the world championships, and a top-5 finish … I’m blown away.”

Molnar also raced in the mass start Scratch Race for the combined C4-C5 women, finishing tenth overall, but third among C4 riders.

“The races were difficult,” admitted Marie-Claude Molnar. “We have worked on my times and I’m happy to get a personal best. I look forward to working on from this point and to see if I can be even faster.”

March 25, 2018/by Communications

CHERNOVE ADDS SECOND MEDAL AT PARA TRACK WORLDS

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 24, 2018 – Tristen Chernove of Cranbrook, BC, added a silver medal on Friday to the gold he won on Thursday at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships. The Championships are taking place at the Velodromo Municipal do Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the site of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Chernove came into the 1000 metre time trial for C2 men as the defending champion, after having successfully defended his Individual Pursuit title. However, he came seven-tenths of a second (0.709 seconds) short of the gold medal, finishing second to Alejandro Perea Arango of Colombia, after problems on his opening lap. Chernove was only fifth fastest on his opening lap (over 1.4 seconds slower), but fastest on the next three laps; not enough to make up for his problems at the beginning of the race.

“I’m glad I didn’t fall in my slip and wobble on the opening lap but it cost me some time,” admitted Chernove. “It was amazing to see a new competitor in the C2 category, the Colombian who won. A great addition to the C2 athletes and I’m looking forward to racing him in the near future.”

The only other Canadian rider to compete on Friday was Ross Wilson of Edmonton, Alberta, who finished fourth in the men’s C1 1000 metre time trial. Zhangyu Li of China, the Paralympic champion, won with a time of one minute and 12.586 seconds, 6.978 seconds ahead of Wilson.

March 24, 2018/by Communications

LUC ARSENEAU TO TAKE UP NEW ROLE WITH ACADIAN GAMES

Ottawa, Ontario, March 23^rd, 2018 – New Brunswick native Luc Arseneau is leaving Cycling Canada to lend a strong hand to the Acadian Games. After almost two decades working for Cycling Canada and the Atlantic provinces as a coach, mentor and program manager at many levels, Arseneau will put his knowledge and expertise to work for the Société des Jeux de l’Acadie, a multisport Games organisation that remains close to his heart.

Luc’s latest work at Cycling Canada was as the NextGen Men’s Track Endurance Coach. Thanks to Arseneau and former head coach Ian Melvin, the men’s team pursuit program has improved dramatically, from riding times of 4:14 in 2014 to below four minutes, winning a UCI Track World Cup, and qualifying eighth at the most recent Track World Championships.

“I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to turn my boyhood passion to my profession for so many years,” said Arsenau. “I’ve had the satisfaction to work and win medals at many World Championships and Major Games as well as to build a solid structure in the Atlantic provinces; I’m very proud of that. But the last few years as a NextGen coach was quite an experience. Seeing this small program go under the famous 4 minutes barrier, winning World Cups, and major European stage races makes it hard not to be extremely proud of this group. I put the emphasis on the word ‘group’ here, as that’s what it really is. From riders, to staff, and supporters, it was a very satisfying journey for us all.”

“It is unfortunate to see Luc go but I know that for him, this is the best move he can make,” said Kris Westwood, High Performance Director for Cycling Canada. “He has dedicated many years of his long coaching career to us, and we are grateful that he has been able to put in the hard yards for us when we needed him. We all would like to wish him the best as he takes on his new role.”

Cycling Canada will be launching a hiring process soon for a new Men’s NextGen Track Endurance Coach to support the work of Head Coach Jono Hailstone.

March 23, 2018/by Communications

GOLD & SILVER FOR CANADA ON DAY 1 OF PARA TRACK WORLDS

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 23, 2018 – Canadian riders won gold and silver on the opening day of the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the first to be held in South America. Taking place at the Velodromo Municipal do Rio, the site of the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, ten world titles were awarded on the first day.

Tristen Chernove of Cranbrook, BC, successfully defended his title in the men’s C2 Individual Pursuit, winning the 3000 metre race with a time of three minutes and 44.385 seconds, finishing almost six seconds ahead of Liang Guihua of China.

“It’s really nice to be back here riding at the Rio velodrome,” said Chernove, “and to get a chance for redemption [Chernove won silver at the Paralympics in this event]. I’m glad to be the world champion again. I won’t say it was a comfortable race, but I had everything under control and the ride went well.”

Ross Wilson of Edmonton was not quite as successful in the men’s C1 Individual Pursuit, finishing second in the race he won last year. Wilson set the fastest time of the day for his category in qualifying, but was not able to match it for the final, finishing 2.362 seconds behind Ricardo Argiles of Spain in the gold medal race.

“The qualifying went really well,” said Wilson, “and I posted a wonderful time of 3:52.141, a personal best for me, and if I hadn’t had to pass my opponent I would have been close to that world record I am chasing. In the final I tried my absolute best, and it turned out it was a little bit shy of what was required. So it is back to the training boards and hopefully next year I’ll have a shot at redemption and be ready for Tokyo in 2020.”

In other Canadian results, Marie-Claude Molnar of of St-Hubert, Quebec, finished eighth in the women’s C4 500 metre time trial, while Keely Shaw of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was tenth in the same event.

March 23, 2018/by Communications

CANADA NAMES STRONG TEAM FOR PARA TRACK WORLDS

Ottawa, Ontario, March 16, 2018 – Cycling Canada has selected a small but powerful team of four riders for the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 22-25. Canada won seven medals, four gold and three silver, at the 2017 world championships.

The team will include the three athletes who won medals last year; men’s C2 category rider Tristen Chernove of Cranbrook, BC, men’s C1 athlete Ross Wilson of Edmonton, Alberta, and women’s C4 rider Marie-Claude Molnar of St-Hubert, Quebec. Joining them will be NextGen athlete Keely Shaw of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, who will be classified prior to competition.

Chernove and Ross will each be defending their two world titles in the 1000m Time Trial and Individual Pursuit. Molnar won three silver medals at the 2017 world championships, in the 500m Time Trial, Individual Pursuit and Scratch Race. Chernove won silver and bronze medals and Wilson won a silver medal on this same track at the Rio Paralympic Games.

“The Para team is looking forward to going back to the Rio velodrome, where our team lived great experiences at the Paralympics in 2016,” said Sebastien Travers, Para-cycling Head Coach at Cycling Canada. “We are going to these championships to try to maintain our world champion titles, but we are also looking forward to gathering UCI points, as this is the first event on the track to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics.”

“Our team is looking very good with some of our veterans, but we are also seizing the opportunity to get up-and-coming athletes a first exposure to international classification.”

March 16, 2018/by Communications

PENDREL 7TH AT OPENING MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP

Stellenbosch, South Africa, March 11, 2018 – Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, BC, was Canada’s top finisher at the opening round of the UCI Mercedes-Benz Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch, South Africa, on Saturday, finishing seventh in the Elite women’s competition.

Pendrel, a three-time World Cup overall champion and the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, rode in the top-5 for most of the six lap race, battling reigning world champion Jolanda Neff of Switzerland for the final podium spots before fading slightly in the final lap. Annika Langvad of Denmark won the women’s race ahead of Pauline Ferrand Prevot of France. Other Canadian results include Canadian champion Emily Batty (Brooklin, ON) in 14th, Haley Smith (Uxbridge, ON) in 23rd, Cindy Montambault (Val-David, QC) in 34th and Rebecca Beaumont (Alma, QC) in 44th.

“I felt great,” said Pendrel, “just needed a little more dig in the last lap, but racing always helps train the brain and I look forward to fighting for the podium again at the next one.”

In the Elite men’s race, Leandre Bouchard (Alma, QC), who will represent Canada at the Commonwealth Games, was the top Canadian in 36th place. Sam Gaze of New Zealand outsprinted world champion Nino Schurter of Switzerland to take the victory. Other Canadian results include Canadian national champion Peter Disera (Horseshoe Valley, ON) in 45th, Andrew L’Esperance (Halifax, NS) in 57th and Raphael Gagne (Quebec City, QC) in 66th.

“I managed my race very well and had a clean ride,” said Bouchard. “I only did 2-3 minor mistakes. I just need a bit more power to be at the fitness level I’m looking for. It’s still early in the season so I’m looking forward to the next World Cups, and the Commonwealth Games.”

Canada also had four riders competing in the Under-23 men’s race, with Quinton Disera (Horseshoe Valley, ON) the top Canadian in 24th place, followed by Raphael Auclair (Haute-Saint-Charles, QC) in 40th, Felix Belhumeur (Montreal, QC) in 47th and Marc-Andre Fortier (Victoriaville, QC) in 51st.

March 11, 2018/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE OF CTO JACQUES LANDRY

Ottawa, ON – March 8, 2018 – Cycling Canada announced today the departure of its Chief Technical Officer, Jacques Landry, effective immediately.

In making the announcement, Cycling Canada President, John Tolkamp, thanked Landry for 9 years of strong technical leadership that resulted in consistent international podium performances for Canada, particularly across the organization’s track, mountain bike and para-cycling programs.

Landry took the helm of Cycling Canada’s high performance programs in the fall of 2008 and played a key role in the organization’s growth and development since that time.

The transition comes as Cycling Canada launches a new Strategic Plan and embarks on a long-term mission to grow the sport of cycling at all levels and disciplines across the country.

“Jacques has been a tireless advocate for high performance cycling in Canada and has made a notable contribution over the years,” said Cycling Canada CEO Pierre Lafontaine. “As we roll out a bold new plan and pivot the organization in a new direction, it’s the right time to take a fresh look at our high performance programs and how they align with and support that vision.”

“I want to express our thanks to Jacques for all he has done for our organization. No doubt he will be missed,” noted Cycling Canada President John Tolkamp. “However, I’m confident that we have the people in place to lead us forward toward both our high performance and overarching sport development goals. It’s an exciting time for cycling in Canada and I believe in the power of our team, our community and our athletes to continue to move the sport to new heights.”

During the transition period, Pierre Lafontaine will assume leadership of Cycling Canada’s high performance programs on an interim basis until an internal review has been completed.

For more information, contact:

Matthew Jeffries
Marketing and Communications Director
Cycling Canada
(403) 619-0691
matthew.jeffries@cyclingcanada.ca

March 8, 2018/by Communications