BMX – Page 9 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

CANADIAN CYCLING TEAM NOMINATED FOR RIO 2016

19 cyclists chosen to represent Canada

(Aylmer, QC – June 29, 2016) On Wednesday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Cycling Canada named the 19 athletes nominated to represent Team Canada in all cycling disciplines at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from August 5 to 21.

Among the elite group of cyclists nominated are Olympic medallists Tara Whitten and Jasmin Glaesser as well as retuning London 2012 team members Catharine Pendrel, Emily Batty, Laura Brown, Tory Nyhaug and Monique Sullivan. The team also includes Georgia Simmerling, who competed in alpine skiing at Vancouver 2010 and ski cross at Sochi 2014. She looks to become the first Canadian athlete to compete in a different sport at each of three Olympic Games.

The team is coached by Craig Griffin (track – endurance), Erin Hartwell (track – sprint), Adam Muys (BMX), Denise Kelly (road – women), Pierre-Henri Sauze (BMX) and Dan Proulx (mountain bike), all of whom are overseen by High Performance Director and Head Coach, Jacques Landry and High Performance Manager, Kris Westwood.

The athletes earned their spots as part of a two-year qualification process during which their accumulated ranking points qualified Canada for the Games in each discipline. After an extensive review of international performances, physiological data analysis and other determining factors, the High Performance Committee selected the nominated athletes to compete at the Games.

All of the Canadian cyclists will participate in various pre-Games preparation camps and competitions. These include the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne (QC), a Track Olympic training camp in Milton (ON), a BMX Canada Cup race in Toronto (ON), and various races for the road cyclists.

The Rio 2016 cycling competitions will take place at various venues. Road cycling will be held on August 6 and 7 at Fort Copacabana and August 10 in Pontal. Track cycling events will be held at the Rio Olympic Velodrome, August 11-15. The BMX competition will take place at the Olympic BMX Centre, August 17-19, followed by the mountain bike races August 20-21 at the Mountain Bike Centre.

At Rio 2016, Canada expects to field a team of more than 315 athletes.

Cycling Canada is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada. Founded in 1882, Cycling Canada aims to create and sustain an effective system that develops talented Canadian cyclists to achieve Olympic, Paralympic, and World Championship medal performances. With the vision of being a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020 celebrating enhanced international success, increased national participation and world class event hosting, Cycling Canada manages the High-Performance team, hosts national and international events and administers community programs to promote Cycling in Canada.

QUOTES

“I am very excited to participate in the biggest cycling event in the world. It is an honour for me to wear the Canadian colours for both the road race and the time trial. I accomplished my first goal of the 2016 season: to qualify for the Olympics. Now, the attention turns towards the final preparations to arrive in Rio at my peak.”

Hugo Houle, 2015 Pan American Games Time Trial Champion, Road Cycling

“I am really excited to represent Canada for a third time at the Olympic Games. I am always proud to wear the maple leaf and will do my best to put it on the podium where it belongs. We have an incredibly strong and cohesive team headed to Rio. I know we will all give our best and make Canada proud!”

Catharine Pendrel, Two-Time World Champion, Mountain Bike

“We have proven ourselves to be contenders for the top step of the podium at every competition we have attended since London 2012 and I fully expect us to be ready to challenge for the gold in Rio. Though most will only see the four riders on the start line, this team and our ultimate performance will be a testament to the relentless dedication on the part of our staff and partners that have worked tirelessly to provide us with all the tools and resources necessary to pursue our goals. I couldn’t be more proud to work with such a phenomenal team on and off the bike and it’s because of you that we will be able to take to the boards in Rio confident, knowing that our best is yet to come.”

Jasmin Glaesser, Olympic Bronze Medallist, Track Cycling

“Cycling is obviously a sport that is close to my heart. We are incredibly lucky to have medal potential across the board. This group has a wide range of experienced athletes – some that have stood on the podium at every level in international events. Congratulations to everyone involved that has made it possible for us to be here today. We are looking forward to cheering you on.”

Curt Harnett, Rio 2016 Team Canada Chef de Mission

“I’m very proud of what our athletes, coaches and staff have achieved in securing the highest number of Olympic quota spots for cycling in recent years. Thanks to our more centralized programs, where we’ve been able to optimize our daily training environments, I am confident that we have the systems and processes in place that will put our cyclists in the best possible position to generate top Olympic performances.”

Jacques Landry, High Performance Director and Head Coach

“Cycling Canada has done a phenomenal job of preparing our athletes to compete for Team Canada and to push for the podium in all four cycling disciplines in Rio. On behalf of the Government of Canada, congratulations to our cyclistsnamed today to represent our country and good luck this summer at the Olympic Games.”

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

The cycling team which will represent Canada at Rio 2016 includes:

ATHLETES

First	Last	Hometown	Discipline
Hugo	Barrette	Îles de la Madeleine, QC	Track Cycling
Emily	Batty	Brooklin, ON	Mountain Bike
Allison	Beveridge	Calgary, AB	Track Cycling
Léandre	Bouchard	Alma, QC	Mountain Bike
Laura	Brown	Vancouver, BC	Track Cycling
Karol-Ann	Canuel	Gatineau, QC	Road Cycling
Antoine	Duchesne	Chicoutimi, QC	Road Cycling
Raphaël	Gagné	Québec City, QC	Mountain Bike
Jasmin	Glaesser	Vancouver, BC	Track Cycling
Hugo	Houle	Ste-Perpétue, QC	Road Cycling
Leah	Kirchmann	Winnipeg, MB	Road Cycling
Kirsti	Lay	Montreal, QC	Track Cycling
Tory	Nyhaug	Coquitlam, BC	BMX
Kate	O’Brien	Calgary, AB	Track Cycling
Catharine	Pendrel	Kamloops, BC	Mountain Bike
Georgia	Simmerling	West Vancouver, BC	Track Cycling
Monique	Sullivan	Calgary, AB	Track Cycling
Tara	Whitten	Calgary, AB	Road Cycling
Mike	Woods	Ottawa, ON	Road Cycling

COACHES

Position	First	Last	Hometown
Track, Endurance	Craig	Griffin	Milton, ON
Track, Sprint	Erin	Hartwell	Hamilton, ON
Road, Women	Denise	Kelly	Smithers, BC
Head Coach	Jacques	Landry	Ottawa, ON
BMX	Adam	Muys	Maple Ridge, BC
Mountain Bike	Dan	Proulx	Victoria, BC
BMX	Pierre-Henri	Sauze	Cavaillon, France
Team Leader	Kris	Westwood	Ottawa, ON

Prior to being named to the final Canadian Rio 2016 Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations.

June 29, 2016/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA PARTNERS WITH SWAGMAN

(Ottawa, ON – June 24, 2016) Swagman has joined Cycling Canada’s pool of official suppliers with a long-term commitment to provide its line of bicycle racks for National Cycling Team programs as well as select Cycling Canada events across the country.

Based in Penticton, BC, Swagman is a leading brand of value-added bicycle racks and outdoor-oriented sporting products. Founded in the early 90s by Jim and Jan Morris, the company produces and distributes a comprehensive line of rack products including vertical, platform, two arm and single arm and hitch racks.

Now under the leadership of President and co-owner Perry Grago, Swagman’s success is greatly tied to the feedback of numerous high profile brand ambassadors, retailers, performance partners and key staff who regularly use, test, and participate in the development and design of Swagman products.

Swagman products will be highly visible on Cycling Canada’s lineup of Lexus SUVs and team cars across the country as well as on support vehicles at Canadian Cycling Championship events, including the 2016 Global Relay Canadian Road Championships presented by Lexus, to be hosted this weekend in Ottawa.

“The ability to transport expensive and fragile bicycles to and from competitions and training camps safely is crucial to an effective national team program,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director and Head Coach for Cycling Canada. “I’m delighted with our new partnership with Swagman, which ensures we have top-quality racks so we can provide this service to our athletes. This gives us the peace of mind we need to focus on our goals without distractions.”

Being a Canadian-based company it makes sense for us to step up and support our National Team Programs. Swagman is proud to be able to support Cycling Canada’s teams, especially in this Olympic year and onwards. We look forward to years of product feedback to assist with our development process for future products,” said Perry Grago, President of Swagman Racks.

For more information on Swagman Racks please visit http://www.swagman.net/.

June 24, 2016/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA WELCOMES ZIZU OPTICS TO OFFICIAL SUPPLIER POOL

(Ottawa, ON – June 23, 2016) ZiZU Optics has joined Cycling Canada’s pool of official suppliers with a commitment to provide its line of performance eyewear for national high performance programs as well select Cycling Canada events across the country.

The partnership brings high-quality performance eyewear to Cycling Canada, backed by a grass roots, fast-growing Canadian brand.

Based in Ottawa, ON, ZiZU Optics is committed to providing high quality eyewear to elite athletes at affordable prices. The company is now an official supplier to five of Canada’s National Teams (cycling, triathlon, canoe/kayak, cross-country skiing and biathlon) as well as some of the biggest running events across the country.

“We’re delighted to partner with ZiZu Optics as a supplier to our high performance programs,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director and Head Coach for Cycling Canada. “It may seem like a small thing, but having quality eyewear is extremely important in a sport like cycling, where we compete at high speeds in all sorts of weather conditions. It’s a big advantage for our athletes to know they have access to quality eye protection.”

ZiZU Optics will be on-site in the event expo at the upcoming 2016 Global Relay Canadian Road Championships presented by Lexus on June 25th and 26th. Available for purchase will be a special edition line of Cycling Canada branded eyewear.

For more information and to purchase ZiZU products please visit http://www.zizuoptics.com/. Use code CCC20 to receive 20% off any online purchase. Online promo ends July 3, 2016.

ABOUT ZIZU OPTICS

ZiZU Optics, an Ottawa based company, is committed to providing innovative high quality eyewear to all athletes at affordable prices. ZiZU Optics is an official supplier to five of our National Teams. For more information, please visit www.zizuoptics.com

June 23, 2016/by Communications

NATIONAL CYCLING TEAM TO FUEL UP WITH JELLY BELLY SPORT BEANS

(Ottawa, ON – June 17, 2016) Canada’s top cyclists are fuelling up for their drive to the podium this summer thanks to a sports nutritional chew from Jelly Belly, Sport Beans.

Uno Imports has joined Cycling Canada’s supplier pool with a commitment to provide its line of Jelly Belly Sport Beans to the National Cycling Team over the next year.

Distributed in Canada by leading cycling goods importer Uno Imports, Jelly Belly Sport Beans are formulated to help fuel the body during intense exercise. Clinically proven to maximize sport performance, each bean is loaded with carbs for fuel, electrolytes to help maintain fluid balance, and vitamins to optimize energy release and protect cells against oxidative damage. The sports nutritional chews are made with colors and flavors from natural sources, and packaged in convenient re-sealable bags, perfect for carrying in a jersey pocket.

“Cycling is a demanding endurance sport that challenges athletes to maintain proper fluid and electrolyte balance in order to achieve maximum performance,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director and Head Coach for Cycling Canada. “Having access to the proper nutritional products for training and competition is critical for optimal performance across all of our cycling disciplines.”

Uno Imports will supply the National Cycling Team with a wide range of Sport Beans products and will provide product for sampling at select Cycling Canada events in 2017, including Canadian Championships events in road and track cycling.

“We’re very pleased to be supporting Cycling Canada” says Romeo Andretta of Uno Imports. “Our company has been supporting amateurs, pro cyclists and Teams in Canada for the past 20 years. This is the next step, supporting Team Canada at home and internationally”.

ABOUT UNO IMPORTS

Uno Imports, Inc. is a leading importer and distributor of Italian cycling goods for the Canadian marketplace. Based in Hamilton, ON, we have serviced the Canadian bicycle and Outdoor industry for over 20 years. We currently represent the following brands exclusively in Canada: Giordana, Giordana Custom, Pinarello, M.O.S.T accessories, Dario Pegoretti and Jelly Belly Sport Beans. For more information, please visit: www.unoimports.com.

June 17, 2016/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA INVITES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN HALL OF FAME 2016 SELECTIONS

(Ottawa, ON – June 8, 2016) Cycling Canada is pleased to announce that the second induction class for the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame will take place October 1 & 2, 2016 in conjunction with the Milton International Track Challenge being held at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario. The Milton facility now hosts the Hall of Fame area on the ground floor level.

The Hall of Fame allows us to showcase our history and remember those athletes and builders that have brought the sport to its current position. The HOF provides a historical context as well as inspiring current and future athletes to greater accomplishments.

>>> VOTE NOW! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Cycling-Canada-Cyclisme2016

In this second year of the Hall of Fame the intent is to have up to eight (8) members selected including a minimum of one in the Builder category and one early era selection in the Athlete category. The plan is move to a nomination process in the third year.

A working group struck by the Cycling Canada Board of Directors has developed a curated list of retired athletes and builders, some of whom are still active, that comprise the List of 2016 Candidates. The working group has not included currently active athletes on the ballot.

The final selections for 2016 will be made by the Cycling Canada Board of Directors based on the ranking by the working group and the public input provided through an online vote. We encourage members of the cycling community to go to the ballot and vote for the candidates.

The candidates, presented in alphabetical order, are as follows:

EARLY ERA ATHLETES
1908 Men’s Team Pursuit	1908 Olympic Bronze medal – 4000m Team Pursuit: William Anderson, Walter Andrews, Frederick McCarthy, Willie Morton
Lew ELDER	1/4 mile and 25 mile World Records, 1928 Olympic Team
Pierre GACHON	First North American to ride in the Tour de France (1937), Professional 6-day racer
Archie McEACHERN	World Champion-1900; 5 mile paced world record-1902
Robert McLEOD	Gold medal 10 mile mass start 1934 British Empire Games, Muliple international wins and placings
Willie SPENCER	2/3rds mile world record-1923; American championship-1922/23/26; world record-standing start 440 yard; world indoor titles-1922/23/25
BUILDERS
Russell COUPLAND	Former President Canadian Wheelman’s Assoc. (CCA) – Managed Cycling Olympic Team 1928 & 1932 – Officiated at 6 day races – Race organizer at Grassroots level in Toronto at the CNE fair grounds
GESTEV	25 years of Mountain Bike World Cup & World Championship production, Hosted MTB Worlds in 1998 and 2010
Brian JOLLY	1968 Olympic cyclist for GB, multi-term CCA President (1993-2002), Board of Hamilton Road Worlds, Board of Hamilton Foundation, UCI Road & MTB Commission, Chairman of Tour of Alberta
Louise LALONDE	Pioneering international female commissaire and trainer of generation of commissaires
ATHLETES
Lyne BESSETTE	Para-cycling Medals / Commonwealth Games gold medal, winner Tour de l’Aude, Pan Am Games silver medal, multiple international wins and placings
Cindy DEVINE	(Downhill World Champion-1990, finished top-5 in the first 5 World Championships)
Gord FRASER	1996 Olympic Team, Most successful professional sprinter in North America, 15KM ITT record holder for many years, 2 x Tour de France participant
Ron HAYMAN	Member 1972/76 Olympics teams, Tour of Somerville winner, Coors Classic stage winner, top amateur in Belgium (1979), Tour of Ireland winner, multiple international wins and placings
Linda JACKSON	Commonwealth Games silver medal, World Championships bronze, HP International stage race winner, multiple international stage race wins and placings
Marie-Helene PREMONT	2004 Olympic silver, 2 time Olympian, World Cup wins and champion, Commonwealth Games Gold, 6 time Canadian National MTB Champion
Alex STIEDA	First North American to wear Tour de France Yellow Jersey, captured five classification jerseys in the TdeF and won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal
Karen STRONG	World Championship silver and bronze medals and multiple international wins and placings
Brian WALTON	Silver medal-1996 Olympics, Pan Am gold medal, World Cup victories and placings, multiple international victories and placings, won Milk Race
Kelly Ann WAY	First Canadian to wear Women’s Tour de France yellow jersey, multiple wins and placings
Eric WOHLBERG	Gold medal ITT & Bronze Medal RR at 1998 Commonwealth Games, Winner 2000 Tour of the Gila, Multiple Canadian ITT National Titles

VOTE NOW! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Cycling-Canada-Cyclisme2016

June 8, 2016/by Communications

CANADA QUALIFIES ONE SPOT IN BMX AT RIO GAMES

(Ottawa, ON – June 6, 2016) Canada has qualified one position in the men’s BMX competition for the Rio Olympic Games. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced the nation quotas after the conclusion of the BMX world championships in Medellin, Colombia, at the end of May. The BMX competition will take place at the Olympic BMX Centre in Deodoro Olympic Park, on August 17-19.

“We are pleased to have confirmed a men’s BMX quota spot for the up and coming Rio Olympic Games,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director for Cycling Canada. “While this quota spot is certainly an accomplishment, the lack of having qualified other spots in BMX indicates that we have a lot of work to do moving forward. Despite having fallen short of our goal of qualifying two spots on the men’s side and one spot on the women’s side for the Rio Games, we are confident that the recent launch of our BMX NextGen programs will enhance our chances of lining up additional competitive riders in Tokyo.”

Cycling Canada will announce the name of the BMX athlete selected for Rio on June 29th, when the full Olympic cycling team is introduced.

June 6, 2016/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA MOURNS PASSING OF JOCELYN LOVELL

(Ottawa, ON – June 4, 2016) On Friday, one of the giants of cycling in Canada passed away – Jocelyn Lovell. Cycling Canada joins the rest of the cycling world in mourning the passing of this icon, at age 65.

John Tolkamp, President of Cycling Canada, said, “On behalf of Cycling Canada, we would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of one of Canada’s greatest cyclists, Jocelyn Lovell. Throughout his career, that was cut short, he was a fierce competitor who enjoyed international acclaim for both his style and accomplishments.‎ Canada has lost one of our most formidable and respected cyclists.”

Jocelyn Lovell won more than 35 national titles, on road and track, at every distance. He represented Canada at three Olympic Games (1968, 1972 and 1976), and won six Commonwealth Games medals, include four golds, as well as a world championship silver medal (1978) and gold medals at two Pan Am Games (1971, 1975). Lovell set records that stood for decades, and inspired generations of Canadian stars, including Steve Bauer, Curt Harnett and Gordon Singleton. Last Fall, Jocelyn became a member of the inaugural induction to the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame.

Tragically, Jocelyn Lovell’s career was cut short when he was hit by a dump truck on August 4, 1983, while training near his home. The accident resulted spinal cord injuries and Lovell became a quadriplegic. For the rest of his life, Jocelyn became a tireless advocate for spinal cord research.

Former team mates on the national team have spoken to his skill, determination and sense of humour.

Gordon Singleton, the 1982 Keirin world champion, won a gold medal with Lovell at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, in Edmonton. “Jocelyn’s storied career had many moments of bright shining stars. His determination to win came from deep within his personality. Sometimes this driving force got him into a little trouble, LOL. Putting that aside, Jocelyn was one of the pioneers in Canadian cycling that paved the way internationally for people like myself, Steve Bauer and Curt Harnett. Jos was absolutely one of the best bike handlers I have ever seen. Today, I’m sad to hear of his passing yet humbled to have the memory of winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Tandem sprint riding as his partner.”

Steve Bauer, Olympic silver medalist and holder of the Tour de France Yellow Jersey for 14 days, rode with Lovell at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and many other events, and considers him a mentor, “It’s impossible to capture in a few sentences the great experiences I enjoyed as a young cyclist by Jocelyn’s side. I learned from JL as he went about his unique ways. We had a great connection and I am fortunate to have been close to Jos in that time. It was fun to be around JL but we knew when racing our bikes it was time to be serious.”

“Never idle, JL had a brilliant innovative mind and was superb athlete who knew how to perform. His bike handling skill and timely speed were abilities I tried to mimic. My memories are full of great moments Jos, a team mate, a friend. RIP, the suffering has come to an end.”

June 4, 2016/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP LOCATIONS

Ottawa-Gatineau, Panorama, Canmore, Calgary, Sherbrooke and Milton to host Canadian Championship Events

(Ottawa, ON – June 2, 2016) Cycling Canada has announced the dates and host locations for its 2017 Canadian Championships series. Canada’s top cyclists across all cycling sports will be treated to top-notch venues and experienced organizers throughout the entire series.

Alongside the confirmation of the 2017 Canadian Championship host venues, Cycling Canada has announced a new multi-year partnership with Lexus Canada, which will see Lexus become the official presenting sponsor of all Canadian Road and Track Cycling Championships events. The partnership will present Lexus with unique and exclusive customer engagement opportunities at each of these major events.

The Global Relay Canadian Road Championships presented by Lexus will return to Ottawa (ON) and Gatineau (QC) from June 24-28, 2017. Organizers will build on their experience from 2016 as riders from across the country are welcomed to the National Capital Region during Canada’s 150^th anniversary celebrations. The 2017 Road Championships will showcase the para-cycling, junior and elite categories over five consecutive days of racing in both provinces.

Panorama Resort (BC) will provide the ultimate backdrop for downhillers looking to clinch the Canadian Championship title at the 2017 edition of the Canadian Downhill Mountain Bike Championships. The 2017 event, scheduled for July 15-16, will bring riders to one of Canada’s most iconic mountain villages, offering accommodation, restaurants and entertainment just minutes from the chairlift. With Panorama serving as a recent staple in the Canada Cup DH Series, riders should expect the same level of fast, technical courses they have come to expect for the big event.

Canmore (AB) will make a triumphant return to Canada’s National Mountain Bike calendar as host town of the 2017 & 2018 Canadian Mountain Bike Cross-Country Championships. The Championships will take place from July 22-23 at the iconic Canmore Nordic Centre in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Taking place just one week before the 2017 Canada Summer Games, this event will provide an excellent opportunity for some of the country’s best athletes to test their form before heading to Winnipeg.

BMXers will once again gather in Calgary (AB) for the 2017 edition of the Canadian BMX Championships. The event will take place from August 25-27 and will also serve as the Canada Cup BMX Series Finale. Building on the excitement of the 2016 Canadian Championships, this event promises to be one of Canada’s marquee BMX events for 2017, attracting the nation’s top athletes. The track in Calgary is located just minutes from the city’s vibrant downtown, abundant amenities, as well as the Calgary International Airport.

Sherbrooke (QC) will return as the host of the 2017 Canadian Cyclocross Championships. Hosted by the Club Cycliste de Sherbrooke, the 2017 event will take place in beautiful Jacques-Cartier Park in the heart of Sherbrooke. With many years of provincial race organizing experience under their belt, organizers promise to provide a circuit that will challenge the nation’s best in one of the province’s most vibrant cities.

Milton, Ontario’s Mattamy National Cycling Centre will once again play host to two exciting weekends of racing for the 2017 Canadian Track Cycling Championships presented by Lexus. Junior and U17 riders from across Canada will gather in Milton for an early-season Championship event scheduled for spring 2017 while Elite, Master, and Paracycling athletes will hit the boards in fall 2017. Having played host to a largely successful Pan American Games in 2015, the track cycling legacy venue will provide a world-class stage for athletes of all ages to showcase the best in Canadian track cycling.

The 2017 Canadian Championships for Road Masters and Marathon Mountain Bike will be announced at a later date.

SUMMARY OF 2017 CANADIAN CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS SERIES

2017 Global Relay Canadian Road Championships p/b Lexus

Ottawa, ON/Gatineau, QC

June 24-28, 2017

Organizers: Doug Corner & John Large

2017 Canadian Mountain Bike DHI Championships

Invermere/Panorama, BC

July 15-16, 2017

Organizer: Stephen Exley & Panorama Mountain Resort

2017 Canadian Mountain Bike XCO Championships

Canmore, AB

July 22-23, 2017

Organizer: Rundle Mountain Cycling Club

2017 Canadian BMX Championships

Calgary, AB

August 25-27, 2017

Organizer: Calgary BMX Racing Association

2017 Canadian Track Cycling Championships p/b Lexus

Milton, ON

Juniors: Spring 2017 (date TBD)

Elite, Masters & Para: Fall 2017 (date TBD)

Organizer: Cycling Canada

2017 Canadian Cyclocross Championships

Sherbrooke, QC

Date TBC

Organizer: Club Cycliste de Sherbrooke

June 2, 2016/by Communications

ALEX TOUGAS FINISHES 4TH AT BMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Ottawa, ON – May 31, 2016) Alex Tougas of Pitt Meadows, BC, posted the top Canadian results at the BMX World Championships, in Medellin, Colombia, on May 28-29, with a pair of fourth places in the Junior Men’s Time Trial and Races.

Tougas won his race heats in the preliminary rounds leading the Finals, and was first out of the gate in the Final, only to drop back to fourth after a mistake. Deven Kawa (Stoney Plain, AB) made it through to the quarter-finals. In the Time Trial, Tougas qualified with the fifth fastest time, and finished fourth in the Final, less then a quarter of a second off the podium.

“Rain delays aside, such a smooth and well executed event,” said Tougas. “Thanks to the support both in preparation and at the race, I’m overly thrilled with my performance throughout the whole trip.”

In the Junior Women’s competition, Megane Belanger of Oka, QC, made it into the Finals, finishing seventh. In the Time Trial, Belanger qualified 17th and did not make it into the Final.

In the Elite Women’s category, Amelia Walsh of Ayr, ON, did not make it past the Motos round for the women’s competition, finishing fifth in her heats. Walsh qualified 28th in the Time Trial and did not move on to the Final.

Tory Nyhaug and James Palmer both qualified in the Elite Men’s Motos, with Nyhaug not progressing past the one eighth-finals, and Palmer finishing just outside of qualifying in the quarterfinals. Nyhaug, the winner of three World Cup rounds in the Time Trial, crashed out of competition on his qualifying run, while Palmer finished 43rd and did not qualify for the Final.

“I’m really excited about Alex’s performance,” said Adam Muys, Canadian Team Manager. “He was very consistent and executed our plans. I’m looking forward to his results next year in Elite men. We had a great team environment, and several NextGen athletes were introduced to the high performance culture.”

May 31, 2016/by Communications

TORY NYHAUG HEADS CANADIAN SQUAD FOR BMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Ottawa, ON – May 16, 2016) Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the team selected to represent Canada at the BMX World Championships, which will be held in Medellin, Colombia, on May 25-29, 2016.

The team of 16 athletes will be led by Tory Nyhaug, of Coquitlam, BC. Tory is the reigning Pan American Games champion for men, and will enter the world championships looking to continue his streak of three consecutive wins in the Time Trial event on the World Cup circuit this season. The world championships will also serve as Tory’s final major competition before the Olympic Games in Rio this summer. James Palmer [North Vancouver, BC] and Gaby Malenfant [Drummondville, QC] will compete alongside Tory Nyhaug in the Elite Men’s category.

Amelia Walsh of Ayr, ON, is Canada’s lone entry in the Elite Women’s category. Walsh will be in a tense battle with riders from four other countries to qualify for an Olympic spot. The top two countries at the world championships that have not already earned a berth for Rio will qualify for the Games in Colombia.

For the Junior Men and Women [17-18 years], Canada is bringing a contingent of seven riders, led by Alex Tougas [Pitt Meadows, BC]. Tougas won the Challenge world title as a 15 and 16 year old, and finished 17th in his first year as a Junior last year; this year he is looking for a return to the podium. Megane Belanger [Oka, QC] is the sole competitor for Junior Women.

Cycling Canada will also continue, for the second year, its development program, with five athletes named to the NextGen Development Team. Racing in the entry-level Challenge Classes, these athletes will receive support to help them develop for future world championship success.

“We have selected a really good group of athletes,” stated Adam Muys, National BMX Development Coach. “Leading into the Olympics this is going to be a high pressure event, where our top athletes are looking to perform and our development athletes are going to get an intense experience to lead them to future success.”

Most of the team competed at the Canada Cup national series event in Abbotsford, BC, on May 14-15, and will follow that with a final training camp at the Abbotsford national training centre. The team will depart for the world championships on Monday, May 23rd.

BMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA – MAY 25-29

Elite Men

Tory NYHAUG, BC
James PALMER, BC
Gaby MALENFANT, QC

Elite Women

Amelia WALSH, ON

Junior Men

Deven KAWA, AB
Riley LAVORATO, AB
Alex TOUGAS, BC
Benjamin LESLIE, BC
Josh SAMELLS, ON
Nicholas DOYLE, ON

Junior Women

Mégane BÉLANGER, QC

NextGen Development Team

Avriana HEBERT, AB (16 Female)
Alison GRECHT, BC (16 Female)
Aidan WEBBER, BC (16 Male)
James HEDGCOCK, ON (15 Male)
Felix MALTAIS, QC (16 Male)

SUPPORT STAFF

Adam Muys – Championship Team Manager
Brendan Arnold – Support staff
Kit Wong – Strength & Conditioning Coach
Jen Turner – Medical staff
Nicoline Hebert – Chaperone for Devo team
Brian Mansell – Challenge Team Manager

May 16, 2016/by Communications