News – Page 8 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

DISCOVER CYCLING CANADA’S 2025 CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS CALENDAR

Edited 11/04/2024: updated Downhill Championships dates
10/22/2024: addition of the 2025 Cyclo-Cross Championships, new Masters Road Championships dates, addition of the Canadian Enduro Championships

Ottawa, ON (July 15, 2024) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the complete schedule of Canadian Championships to be held across the country for all disciplines in 2025.

“Each year, the Canadian Championships bring together the country’s best athletes in their respective disciplines to give them the opportunity to wear the maple leaf as their ultimate prize,” mentioned Josh Peacock, Cycling Canada’s Director of Marketing and Events. “We’re thrilled to once again travel the country with our 2025 Canadian Championships event calendar, showcasing not only Canada’s best athletes, but providing a platform to inspire the next generation with events held in some of Canada’s most iconic settings.”

Track

The Vélodrome Sylvan Adams – Centre Multisports Desjardins in Bromont, QC, will start the year off right by hosting the first-ever Canadian Masters, Elite and Para Track Championships from Jan. 9 to 12. Junior and U17 athletes will be welcomed in Milton, ON from April 4 to 6.

E-Sports

In February, athletes from across the country will be able to compete for the maple leaf jersey in the comfort of their own homes at the Canadian e-Sports Championships. The event takes place on Feb. 8 and 9.

Road

Junior, elite and para athletes will be able to show their prowess on the roads of St-Georges-de-Beauce, QC, from June 27 to 30, at the event organized by the Grand Prix Cycliste de Beauce, while masters athletes will be in action from August 8-10 once again in the Greater Victoria region, in BC, by organizer Wheelhouse Cycling Society.

Gravel

The Gravel Championships will be back for a third consecutive year, presented on June 15 by Deadgoat Racing, this time once again on the Ghost of the Gravel course in the majestic landscapes of Alberta’s Water Valley.

Mountain Bike

After two years of competition in eastern Canada, XCO and XCC racers will head west to Langford, BC, in the newly inaugurated trails of the Jordie Lunn Memorial Park to compete for the podium July 18-20, courtesy of Wheelhouse Cycling Society.

Downhill athletes will compete in Sun Peaks, BC, July 26-27, courtesy of Sun Peaks Resort and SE Racing. Meanwhile, XCM athletes will once again hit the trails in Thunder Bay, ON, on August 23, courtesy of Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club.

After a one-year hiatus, the Canadian Enduro MTB Championships are back on the calendar and will be held in the province of Québec. Exact date and location will be announced later in the fall.

BMX

As the summer season draws to a close, attention will turn to the BMX Racing athletes who will compete on Aug. 23 and 24 in St. Albert, AB, organized by the St. Albert BMX Association, on the brand-new world-class Supercross track. National athletes will get their first taste of the new track at the Canada Cup later this summer.

As autumn approaches, the Centre National de Cyclisme in Bromont, QC, will welcome BMX Freestyle athletes on Oct. 18 to its brand-new Acrobatic Zone, inaugurated last March.

Cyclo-Cross

Cyclo-cross fans will be invited to attend festivities on Nov. 14-16, in Lévis, QC, organized by CX418, to see the country’s best athletes in action.

Cycling Canada is still seeking applicants for the hosting of the 2025 UCI Canadian Enduro MTB Championships. If you are interested in submitting a bid for the event, please contact josh.peacock@cyclingcanada.ca

July 15, 2024/by Communications

JEFFREY WHALEY JOINS CANADIAN CYCLING TEAM FOR PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS

Ottawa, ON (July 12, 2024) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the selection of Jeffrey Whaley, of Montreal, QC, in BMX Freestyle for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Whaley joins the contingent of athletes announced on June 25. Canada’s official selection in the discipline was confirmed the day after the cycling team’s announcement.

“I’m thrilled to be the very first Canadian to qualify in BMX freestyle, and I can’t wait to be in Paris to represent the country,” commented Whaley.

This will be Canada’s first participation in BMX Freestyle at an Olympic Games. Dave Thomas will act as coach and Maxime Chalifour has been elected alternate.

July 12, 2024/by Communications

OSIC SPORT ENVIRONMENT ASSESMENT: CYCLING CANADA COMMITMENT STATEMENT

Ottawa, ON (July 10, 2024) – At the request of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), Cycling Canada was recently the subject of a Sport Environment Assessment (SEA). Given this was an assessment rather than an investigation there is no complainant or respondent. The purpose of the SEA is to clarify how the assessment participants perceived issues, systems or dynamics within the sport environment.

Cycling Canada would like to thank the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner and all Sport Environment Assessment participants for the insights shared in the Sport Environment Assessment Report, which will help us on our ongoing journey to be leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion, and safe sport. We have made strides in recent years to improve governance at all levels and appreciate that there is still work to be done.

Cycling Canada is committed to the implementation of measures, policies and practices strongly focused on culture, inclusion, and performance that will enable us to deliver on our purpose: to inspire Canadians from all walks of life to ride with us.

Ensuring a safe, welcoming and discrimination-free workplace is a top priority, and the feedback reflected in the Sport Environment Assessment Report will serve as a guiding light as we continue our work in this important area. Cycling Canada’s Action Plan can be found here, and is grounded in several key areas of focus:

Increased capacity in Human Resources. This will include the contracting of third-party HR support to review all relevant policies as well as providing additional support for staff inquiries, concerns, and complaints and analysis of staff exit interviews
Continued work on improving overall organizational culture, including a full assessment of existing culture surveying metrics, and relevant action plans to address outstanding concerns amongst staff, contractors, and other relevant internal stakeholders
Enhanced internal communication channels to support a culture of openness and transparency
Continued commitment to and development of existing female staff mentorship programs including proactive identification of professional development, outside mentorship, and networking opportunities
Increased education and training programs to ensure staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to do their job effectively

As one of the earliest program signatories, Cycling Canada shares OSIC’s commitment to the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) and will continue our work in upholding the principles that serve as its foundation.

More information on the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner can be found at www.sportintegritycommissioner.ca.

Source: Cycling Canada
Information: communications@cyclingcanada.ca

July 10, 2024/by Communications

NEW AND RETURNING CHAMPIONS DON THE MAPLE LEAF JERSEY AT THE CANADIAN BMX CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (July 8, 2024) – More than 600 athletes challenged themselves in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, QC, for the Canadian BMX Championships, held on July 6.

Under a blazing sun, athletes took part in two exciting days of competition with the Canadian Championships on Saturday, followed by the first round of the Canada Cup on Sunday.

Ryan Tougas of Pitt Meadows, B.C., was the only athlete to retain the Canadian Elite Men’s title he won in 2023, with the other categories all crowning a new champion, including Teigen Pascual of Squamish, B.C., who captured her first Canadian Elite Women’s title.

In the U23 category, Albertans Dylan Tremel and Abygale Reeve made no secret of their pride, having long dreamed of wearing the maple-leaf jersey.

“Out of the gate I was nervous,” said Tremel. “I knew I had to stay calm and confident. It was crazy to cross the finish line, with all my family and friends there. I have wanted to get the sleeve for the past four years and it means the absolute world to me.”

Reeve added, “I was crying tears of joy. It just means a lot to represent this country and to represent my club in Airdrie and all the kids that I coach back there.”

Quebecers Thessalie Bruneau and Victoria Dubé crossed the finish line nose-to-nose in the junior women’s race, but in the end, it was Bruneau who took the honors. Ontario’s Andrew Colling took the men’s title.

In addition to the Championship classes, medals were awarded in Challenge classes for age group racing from as young as 5 years old. The full results list can be found here.

Next up on the Canadian Championships calendar are the Canadian MTB XCO/XCC Championships in Kentville, NS and the Canadian Road Championships (Masters) in Victoria, BC, both on July 19-21. The full calendar of national events can be found on the Events Page of the Cycling Canada website.

July 8, 2024/by Communications

VAUDREUIL-SOULANGES WELCOMES CANADIAN BMX CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (July 5, 2024) – BMX athletes from across the country are expected in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Quebec, on July 6 for the Canadian BMX Racing Championships.

Held in Quebec for the second year running, the event will host races in the challenge category where close to 600 athletes, ranging in age from 5 to 49, will race for medals, while athletes in the Junior, U23 and Elite categories will race for official championship titles.

“After the success of the 2022 Canada Cup here, it was the next logical step to organize the Canadian Championships,” commented Karyne Brodeur, president of the Vaudreuil-Soulanges BMX club. “We want to give young people the opportunity to perform in a national-level competition, in addition to raising the profile of our sport.”

Ryan Tougas (elite men), Thomas Jodoin (U23 men) and Keira Murphy (U23 women) will be on hand to try and claim the Canadian championship title for the second year running.

Absent due to her preparation for the Olympic Games, Molly Simpson will pass the torch to a new racer who will be in with a chance of capturing the title of Canadian champion in the elite women’s category, while her compatriot Teigen Pascual will be a strong contender for the position.

On Sunday, July 7, athletes will race in the first round of the 2024 BMX Canada Cup series.

The full technical guide and important event information can be found on the Events Page of the Cycling Canada website.

July 5, 2024/by Communications

HORNBY ORGANIC JOINS CYCLING CANADA AS OFFICIAL SUPPLIER

Ottawa, ON (July 3, 2024) – Cycling Canada is thrilled to welcome Hornby Organic as an official supplier for a four-year term.

Established on the Gulf Island of Hornby in British-Columbia, Hornby Organic is the first company in Canada to produce a Canadian Certified Organic & Gluten-Free energy bar.

“We are beyond excited to be partnering with Cycling Canada,” said Cayleigh Rees, co-founder of Hornby Organic. “Throughout our journey starting Hornby Organic, our founder, Irah and I have grown a true understanding and appreciation for the dedication and commitment it takes to pursue one’s dreams. To have a tiny part in assisting the Cycling Canada Athletes with their dreams, by supplying high quality organic nutrition, is an absolute honor.”

The collaboration began with the 2024 Tissot UCI Track Nations Cup in Milton, ON, where Hornby Organic supplied the Canadian National Team, volunteers and staff members with energy bars throughout the event. With this partnership, they will continue supplying the National Team with high-quality nutrition through competition and domestic events.

“We are very excited to welcome Hornby Organic as an official supplier,” added Ben Lyon, Cycling Canada Fundraising and Partnership Manager. “Their genuine Canadian pride in our National Team is incredibly meaningful to us and evident from the very start. As cyclists, we know that how we fuel can directly impact the way we feel and perform, so having an energy bar that both supports athlete needs while tasting great makes a real difference. Hornby Organic will now be there with us in training and competition, playing their part in our team’s success.”

Cycling Canada’s partners provide essential support to the nationwide development of cycling from grassroots to the high-performance level. To learn more about Cycling Canada partners and opportunities for collaboration, click here.

July 3, 2024/by Communications

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR CYCLING CANADA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ottawa, ON (June 27, 2024) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the opening of the annual nomination process for positions on its Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is elected by Cycling Canada’s members (Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations) and is comprised of seven Director-at-large positions, a National Team athlete representative plus one optional Director that can be appointed at the discretion of the Board.

The role of Cycling Canada’s Board of Directors is to provide strategic direction, leadership, and stability for the organization. The Board establishes the overall mission and purpose for the organization and is responsible for a number of key governance-related activities including approving the appointment of and providing direction to the CEO and senior management team, the development and adoption of organizational policies, financial oversight, and approval of the annual budget.

The Nominations Committee of Cycling Canada is issuing a Call for Candidates to stand for election to the Board of Directors of Cycling Canada at the Annual Meeting to be held via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Positions to be filled:

3 Director-at-large positions (2-year terms for each)

For the upcoming September 2024 elections, the Nominations Committee is seeking nominees with diverse backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives who possess the skill sets and competencies outlined below, as established priorities for the organization:

Law, Governance, and Policy Development
Human Resource Management (including DE&I strategies)
Fundraising and Sponsorship
Culture and Change Management
Strategy and Planning

Specifically, Cycling Canada is looking for female applicants as well as those from the Indigenous community, Black Canadians, LGBTQ2S+, persons with physical impairment and representatives from marginalized communities. Cycling Canada will ensure that equity, diversity and inclusion are key considerations through the nominations process.

Board members meet by video conference once per month, meet in person once per year and are also expected to participate on Board committees on a regular basis. Members of the Cycling Canada Board of Directors typically spend an average of 5-8 hours per month on board related activities, but this may increase if they hold a position of Chair of the Board or Chair of a Board Committee. Cycling Canada is looking to build upon the expertise within its existing Board and is seeking to include a range of diverse voices and skills that will enable the growth and development of the organization and the sport in Canada.

Board members are not compensated for their position on the board but will be reimbursed for pre-approved expenses directly related to board activities, including, but not limited to, accommodations, travel, and meals.

Eligibility Criteria to be a Director-at-large

Be at least 18 years of age.
Be a Canadian Citizen.
Be a member in good standing of one of Cycling Canada’s Provincial or Territorial cycling associations.
Not be of bankrupt status.
Not have been declared incapable under laws of a Canadian province or territory or by a court in a jurisdiction outside of Canada.
Not be a Director or Officer of one of Cycling Canada’s Provincial or Territorial cycling associations.
Not be employed by or own an organization which is contracted by Cycling Canada.
Not be an employee of Cycling Canada or an employee of Cycling Canada’s Provincial or Territorial cycling associations.

About Cycling Canada

Cycling Canada is the nation’s oldest National Sport Organization and has one simple purpose – to inspire Canadians to cycle. Our mandate is to holistically develop the sport in partnership with our 11 Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations, putting more Canadians on bikes from coast-to-coast and on podiums around the world. To that end, Cycling Canada has a bold strategic plan to transform our sport in Canada over the next ten years. We will engage, unite, and support our partners to collectively develop our community through high quality programs, events and services that are aligned from coast-to-coast. Moving forward Cycling Canada will focus and deliver on 4 strategic priorities in pursuit of its purpose:

Create a community of cyclists with deep connection, affinity, and pride in the sport of cycling.
Teach children across Canada at the grassroots level the joy of cycling skillfully.
Produce and facilitate events that get Canadians genuinely excited about and engaged in the sport of cycling.
Develop and deliver a sustainable performance program continuously delivering gracious champions to the world stage and lifelong ambassadors to the community.

The tagline, COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE, is an invitation to all cycling enthusiasts to join us in our journey to inspire Canadians to cycle. Our brand represents our passion for cycling and community, our dedication to the holistic development of the sport through inspiration and collaboration, and is inclusive of all cycling disciplines, from traditional sports like road and track to more recent additions like BMX Freestyle.

Nomination Process

Anyone seeking to be a candidate for election to the Cycling Canada Board of Directors must submit a fully completed Candidate package no later than 5:00 PM ET on July 19, 2024.

A completed Candidate Package includes:

A completed online application “2024 Cycling Board Candidate Application Form” The information on this form will be made available to the membership in advance of the Annual Meeting.
An expression of Interest & Resume uploaded with the Candidate Application Form.
A signed Directors Agreement which will be provided to you once you have submitted a completed Candidate Application Form. The agreement must be signed and emailed to general@cyclingcanada.ca with subject line: Candidate Directors Agreement. Submission of a Directors Agreement indicates your willingness to stand as a candidate, and your agreement to comply with the duties and obligations of a director if you are elected.

Please note that all incomplete Candidate Packages will not be placed for consideration by the Nomination Committee.

Following the close of nominations, the Nomination Committee will evaluate the nominees and select a short list of nominees to be interviewed. Following deliberations, the Nominations Committee will develop a list of candidates to be recommended to the membership at the Annual Meeting.

The purpose of the Nominations Committee is to identify those candidates that are best suited to meet the needs of Cycling Canada, given their knowledge, skills, and experience, and other attributes and their understanding of the duties and obligations of a member of a governance board.

The Nominations Committee will advise all nominees of the list of those recommended by the Committee at least 14 days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting and at least 3 days before the committee’s recommendations are published to the membership.

Cycling Canada supports equity, diversity, and inclusion and will provide accommodations in all stages of the nomination process, as necessary. If you require accommodation to apply to this advertisement, please advise Cycling Canada’s Acting Chief Operations Officer, Vanessa Desjardins via email at vanessa.desjardins@cyclingcanada.ca.

June 27, 2024/by Communications

TWENTY-TWO CYCLING ATHLETES NAMED TO TEAM CANADA FOR PARIS 2024

*Updated June 28 to reflect the addition of BMX Freestyle

TORONTO (June 25, 2024) – Cycling Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the roster of Team Canada cycling athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The 22 athletes are:

BMX Racing:
Molly Simpson (Red Deer, Alta.)

BMX Freestyle:
Jeffrey Whaley (Montréal, Que.)

Mountain Bike:
Isabella Holmgren (Orillia, Ont.)
Gunnar Holmgren (Orillia, Ont.)

Road:
Olivia Baril (Rouyn-Noranda, Que.)
Derek Gee (Ottawa, Ont.)
Alison Jackson (Vermilion, Alta.)
Michael Woods (Ottawa, Ont.)

Track (Endurance):
Erin Attwell (Victoria, B.C.)
Dylan Bibic (Mississauga, Ont.)
Ariane Bonhomme (Gatineau, Que.)
Maggie Coles-Lyster (Maple Ridge, B.C.)
Michael Foley (Milton, Ont.)
Mathias Guillemette (Trois-Rivières, Que.)
Carson Mattern (Ancaster, Ont.)
Sarah Van Dam (Victoria, B.C.)

Track (Sprint):
Lauriane Genest (Levis, Que.)
James Hedgcock (Ancaster, Ont.)
Kelsey Mitchell (Sherwood Park, Alta.)
Sarah Orban (Calgary, Alta.)
Tyler Rorke (Baden, Ont.)
Nick Wammes (Bothwell, Ont.)

Following the confirmation of Canada’s final Olympic quotas, the mountain bike, track, and BMX athletes were selected based on their performances at UCI World Cups and World Championships in 2023 and 2024. Road cyclists were selected for Team Canada based on their performances on the world stage in 2023 and 2024 and their suitability to the Olympic course.

Molly Simpson, who will make her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, will be the sole Canadian athlete in BMX racing. The 21-year-old made her major Games debut at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games where she won the silver medal. During the 2023 season, Simpson finished in the top five in each of the first four World Cup races. She later reached the top four at back-to-back World Cup races in early 2024. Simpson was the bronze medallist at the 2022 UCI U23 World Championships.

“I have dreamed of going to the Olympics since I was a little girl and now here I am preparing for my first ones! Words can’t describe how excited and how happy I am to represent Canada at the highest level of my sport; it’s truly an incredible feeling,” said Simpson. “I am really looking forward to the experience and the atmosphere of the whole event, it’s going to be amazing! The process to get here over the past few years has been filled with some high highs and some extreme lows but I am feeling very grateful for this opportunity. Thank you so much to everyone involved.”

Isabella Holmgren is the youngest cycling athlete on the Paris 2024 Canadian Olympic Team. The 19-year-old is a two-time world junior champion, having won gold in mountain bike and cyclocross in 2023. This year, she has won two UCI U23 World Cup gold medals in mountain bike. Her older brother Gunnar Holmgren will also be making his Olympic debut this summer. He was Team Canada’s first gold medallist at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games. Gunnar secured his spot on Team Canada for Paris 2024 with his eighth-place finish at the UCI Elite World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě, Czechia in late May, posting one of Canada’s best UCI World Cup results in men’s mountain bike since 2019.

“I’m very proud to soon become an Olympian, and being selected alongside my sister makes it even more special,” said Holmgren. “I’m building to my peak form over the next six weeks and I’m excited to get out there and honor the maple leaf.”

Paris 2024 will be the third Olympic appearance for Michael Woods, who finished fifth in the Tokyo 2020 road race, Canada’s second-best Olympic result ever in the event. Woods made history with his bronze medal in the road race at the 2018 UCI World Championships – the first medal by a Canadian man in the event in 34 years. The 37-year-old is also the first Canadian to ever reach the podium in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege one-day classic. In 2023, he earned his first career Tour de France stage victory.

Woods will race in Paris alongside former track cyclist Derek Gee who is coming off winning a stage of le Critérium du Dauphiné, his first international victory. Gee gained international attention with his daring breakaways and runner-up finishes in four stages at the 2023 Giro d’Italia which earned him the overall combativity award. Gee competed in the men’s madison and contributed to the fifth-place finish in the men’s team pursuit on the velodrome at Tokyo 2020.

“I’m unbelievably excited to represent Canada for my second Olympic Games in Paris this summer,” said Gee. “Tokyo 2020 was an experience of a lifetime and was a real privilege to race with the maple leaf on my back on the world’s biggest stage. Having spent some time in France already this year and seeing the build up, I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere in Paris this summer. I think it’s truly going to be unparalleled, especially at the cycling events.”

Well known internationally thanks to her historic victory at Paris-Roubaix in 2023, Alison Jackson will make her second Olympic appearance, after having competed in the women’s road race at Tokyo 2020. Earlier this year, she won a stage of the Vuelta España Femenina. She will be joined by Olivia Baril, who will make her Olympic debut. Silver medallist in the road race and the time trial at the 2023 Canadian Championships, Baril reached the podium during a stage of the 2024 Vuelta España Femenina.

After a strong season of international racing on the UCI Track Nations Cup circuit Canada is one of only three nations to qualify in every track cycling event, sending a full team of 14 athletes.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic sprint champion Kelsey Mitchell and Olympic keirin bronze medallist Lauriane Genest will look to repeat their strong performances in Paris. This time they will also compete in the team sprint alongside Sarah Orban.

“I am so excited to be heading to my second Olympic Games! The Tokyo Olympics was such an amazing experience and I will forever cherish those memories and the journey to becoming an Olympic champion,” said Mitchell. “And three years later, we are back to try and do it again. The journey to my second Olympics in Paris has been full of ups and downs. I grew a lot as a person and an athlete and I am excited to see where I am at when I get on the line. I am also looking forward to seeing my younger teammates experience their first Olympics and I know they will show up ready to represent Canada and themselves to the best of their ability. It is going to be an Olympics to remember!”

Nick Wammes will lend his Tokyo 2020 Olympic experience to teammates Tyler Rorke and James Hedgcock who will make their Olympic debuts in Paris. The trio, who won the gold medal in men’s team sprint at Santiago 2023, secured their ticket to Paris after winning bronze at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Milton, Ont. this spring.

Veterans Ariane Bonhomme and Michael Foley, who competed at their first Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020, will lead the women’s and men’s team pursuit squads with a group of teammates who will make their Olympic debuts. The endurance team features Dylan Bibic, who has continued to impress since becoming Canada’s first world champion in a men’s endurance event as he won scratch race gold in 2022. He won three gold medals during the 2024 UCI Track Nations Cup, including one in the omnium.

The quotas for BMX Freestyle will be announced on June 26. Canada is expected to receive a men’s quota spot. The selected athlete will be named at a later date.

Team Canada has won 16 Olympic cycling medals, including the two won at Tokyo 2020. BMX is the only cycling discipline in which Canada has not yet won an Olympic medal. Team Canada’s Paris 2024 cycling team includes eight athletes with previous Olympic experience and 13 Olympic rookies.

“We’re very excited to announce the team. Many of the riders are first-time Olympians. They will benefit greatly from teammates who have already been successful at the Olympics,” said Dan Proulx, Cycling Canada’s National Team Head Coach. “Anything is possible in Paris and I know each and every one of them is aiming to exceed expectations.”

BMX racing will take place August 1-2 (Day 6 to 7) at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium, while mountain bike races will take place on July 28 and 29 (Days 2 and 3) at the Elancourt Hill venue.

Road cycling begins with the individual time trials on July 27, with a start at Les Invalides and an arrival at the Pont Alexandre III. “The road races will be held on August 3 and 4 (Day 8 and 9) in with the start and finish on Pont Léna in front of the Eiffel Tower. The courses head into the countryside southwest of Paris before looping back to a city-centre circuit that climbs over the iconic cobbled streets of Montmartre three times.” Track events will be held from August 5 to 11 (Day 10 to 16) at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Vélodrome.

‘’Whether on the road, in the mountains, or on the track, Team Canada cyclists have pedaled with unwavering determination to carve out a path at the front of the pack and proudly represent Canada at Paris 2024. I am honoured to accompany this group of experienced and passionate cyclists, always ready to surpass themselves. Go Canada, saddle up! Let’s race towards Olympic glory in Paris,‘’ said Bruny Surin, Team Canada’s Paris 2024 Chef de Mission.

Team Canada’s cycling team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also includes the following:

Alternates
Teigen Pascual (Squamish, B.C.) – BMX Racing
Emilly Johnston (Comox, B.C.) – Mountain Bike
Carter Woods (Cumberland, B.C.) – Mountain Bike
Madgeleine Vallières-Mill (Sherbrooke, Que.) – Road
Simone Boilard (Quebec, Que.) – Road
Hugo Houle (Sainte-Perpetue, Que.) – Road
Guillaume Boivin (Montreal, Que.) – Road
Jackie Boyle (Toronto, Ont.) – Track Sprint
Ryan Dodyk (Edmonton, Alta.) – Track Sprint
Fiona Majendie (Vancouver, B.C.) – Track Endurance
Sean Richardson (Vancouver, B.C.) – Track Endurance
Maxime Chalifour (Montréal, QC) – BMX Freestyle

Coaches
Dan Proulx (Calgary, Atla.) – National Team Head Coach
Phil Abbott (Edmonton, Atla.) – National Team Coach
Laura Brown (North Vancouver, B.C.) – National Team Coach
Franck Durivaux (Nancy, France) – National Team Coach
Nigel Ellsay (Courtenay, B.C.) – National Team Coach
Stephen McMullan (Toronto, Ont.) – National Team Coach
Adam Muys (Maple Ridge, B.C.) – National Team Coach
Catharine Pendrel (Harvey Station, N.B.) – National Team Coach
Dave Thomas – National Team Coach

Support Staff
Kris Westwood (Ottawa, Ont.) – Team Leader
Jen Eaton (Toronto, Ont.) – Team Manager
Shelley Milton (Stittsville, Ont.) – Team Manager
Ryan Finch (Halifax, N.S.) – Mechanic
Avery Gervais (Barrie, Ont.) – Mechanic
Ryan Taylor (Charlottetown, P.E.I.) – Mechanic
Adam Trotter (North Vancouver, B.C.) – Mechanic
Jon Adams (St-Catharines, Ont.) – Therapist
Osvaldo Bolanos Medina (Toronto, Ont.) – Therapist
Sean Duquette (Toronto, Ont.) – Therapist
Goretti Font Mas (Barcelona, ESP) – Therapist
Aly Hodgins (Brampton, Ont.) – Therapist
Luc Mahler (Huntsville, Ont.) – Therapist
Dianna Moulden (Ancaster, Ont.) – Therapist
Jenn Turner (Flesherton, Ont.) – Therapist
Will George (Oakville, Ont.) – Performance Analyst

Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organisations.

The latest Team Canada Paris 2024 roster can be found here.

June 25, 2024/by Communications

RAIN AND DETERMINATION DEFINE THE 2024 CANADIAN ROAD CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS (ELITE, JUNIOR, U17 AND PARA)

Ottawa, ON (June 24, 2024) – Canadian talent in the U17, junior, elite and para categories converged on St-Georges, Quebec, from June 21 to 24, to vie for one of 30 coveted titles at the 2024 Canadian Road Cycling Championships. For the first time in history, Canadian titles were also on the line for U17 athletes.

In torrential rain, athletes competed in the road race, time trial and criterium on the hilly roads of Beauce.

A first Canadian title for Woods

In the elite category, Pier-André Côté made his mark by winning the Canadian time trial title and taking second place in the road race, just behind his Israel-Premier Tech teammate Michael Woods. Although known internationally for his prowess at the Tour de France 2023, among others, this was the Ottawa-born rider’s first-ever Canadian title.

“It’s certainly a life goal, a career goal,” said Woods. “I was lucky enough to have Pier-André Côté in the breakaway with me. It was thanks to him that I was able to win today. I knew I had to attack in the hard moments, and I chose the most difficult parts of the climbs to attack as much as I could, which resulted in a perfect situation for us.”

In the criterium, victory went to Matisse Julien (Vélo Studio Toguri) in the combined U23 and elite category.

On the women’s side, triathlete Paula Findlay did it again, winning her third consecutive Canadian time trial title, Olivia Baril (Movistar) was 24 seconds behind.

“The course was a little more hilly than last year in Edmonton,” said Findlay. “It works in my favor to have a hilly course that isn’t technical, so I climbed the hills well and was able to relax on the descents. It was interesting to ride in last position, because I could see ahead of me, and I was using the riders in front of me as extra motivation.”

Baril, meanwhile, stood out in the road race, taking top honours in a sprint against silver medallist Magdeleine Vallières-Mill (EF Education-Cannondale), whose powerful attacks were felt throughout the race and whose performance in the criterium was enough to earn her the win.

Roldan triumphs in the U23 category

Taking the top step of the podium in both the time trial and the road race, Mara Roldan (Cynisca Cycling) had a near-perfect weekend in the U23 women’s category, finishing third in the overall road classification combined with the elite women, just behind Baril and Vallières-Mill.

“This weekend was special; I didn’t expect to take the top step twice,” said Roldan. “Some of these women I’ve watched on TV for the last five years of my life and to be able to run with them is an incredible opportunity.”

In the road race, it was Quentin Cowan (SCO-Dijon) who took the honors, while Jonas Walton (Ecoflo-Chronos) won the time trial title.

Volstad defends junior title

Alexandra Volstad (Team Alberta) once again proved her strength in road racing, winning a second consecutive junior title, her third in her career. On the final day of competition, she made her mark in the criterium, scoring a win in the combined U17 and junior category. She commented: “I was a bit nervous because I know there are strong girls on the hills and climbing is not my strong point, but I trained a lot to try and adapt to the course and it turned out well in the end.”

In both categories, several experienced track athletes, including Canadian track medalists Jayden McMullen, (road race), Sidney Swierenga (time trial), Alexandra Fangeat (road race) and Jake McLean (time trial) won in their respective categories.

Carl Truffer (time trial), Zachari Moreau (road race), Adam Smith (criterium) and Elly Moore (time trial) claimed their first-ever Canadian titles in their respective categories.

International Caliber in Para-cycling

Para-cycling competitions showcased Canadian talent, many of whom excelled in both time trial and road racing, including Paralympians Joey Desjardins (men’s H1-3) and Shelley Gautier (women’s T1-2), as well as Jessica Law (women’s C4-5), Maarten Duif (men’s H1-2), Katty Abran (women’s H3-5) and Benoît Lalumière-Cloutier (men’s tandem).

“Winning national championships in the time trial and road race is a testament to my dedication and preparation this season,” said Desjardins. “I feel strong and ready to take on all the challenges that lie ahead.”

The full results list can be found here. Next up on the Canadian Championships calendar is the Canadian BMX Racing Championships, to be held in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, QC, on July 6. The full calendar of national events can be found on the Events Page of the Cycling Canada website.

June 24, 2024/by Communications

ACTION IN BEAUCE FOR CANADIAN ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS (ELITE, JUNIOR, U17 AND PARA)

Ottawa, ON (June 19, 2024) – The Canadian Road Championships for Junior, Elite and Para athletes are heading to Saint-Georges, QC, from June 21-24, where over 350 athletes from all over the country will be looking to secure Canadian titles in the individual time trial, road race and criterium over four days of racing.

“Our main goal is to provide an optimal sporting platform for the athletes to express their full potential and crown the best in Canada, as well as to provide them with an adequate welcome and showcase the region to the rest of Canada,” said Françis Rancourt, General Manager of the Corporation du Grand Prix Cycliste de Beauce. “Hosting such an event, a few days after the Tour de Beauce, is a challenge for everyone, but it is also very stimulating,” he added.

For the first time in the Canadian Road Championships history, titles will be awarded to athletes in the U17 category, both in the time trial and in the road race.

The Championships kick off on Friday, June 21, with the individual time trial for all categories over distances ranging from 11 to 34 kilometers.

The road races will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23, where athletes in the para categories will race on a 6.1-kilometer circuit, while the U17, junior, U23 and elite categories will race on an out-and-back course to a 27.9-kilometer loop for a course varying between 42.7 and 199.2 kilometers.

On Monday, June 24, riders in the elite and U23 (combined) and junior and U17 (combined) categories will loop around the 1.3-kilometer circuit in a bid for the criterium titles.

The competition promises to be fierce, with some of the biggest names in Canadian cycling expected to take part, including Mike Woods (Israel Premier Tech), stage winner at the Tour de France 2023, and reigning road race champion Alison Jackson (EF-Education-Cannodale), stage winner at the Vuelta España Feminina 2024 and winner of Paris-Roubaix Femmes 2023. Evolving internationally, Olivia Baril (Movistar), Magdeleine Vallières-Mill (EF-Education-Cannondale), Ava Holmgren (Lidl-Trek), Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek), Pier-André Côté (Israel Premier Tech) and Riley Pickrell (Israel Premier Tech) will be looking to make their mark while on Canadian soil for the occasion.

Medal winners at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games, Alexandre Hayward (men C3), Charles Moreau (men H3), Mike Sametz (men H3) and Nathan Clement (men T1) will be coming home to show their strength, along with Paralympian and 2022 World bronze medallist Joey Desjadins (men H3).

Many of the reigning Canadian champions, winners of the 2023 edition, will be lining up, in search of a place on the top step of the podium.

The full technical guide and important event information can be found on the Events Page of the Cycling Canada website.

June 19, 2024/by Communications