News – Page 12 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

HIGH PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR APPLICATIONS

Ottawa, ON (January 25, 2021)  – Cycling Canada is seeking candidates for the position of High Performance Committee Chair.

The High Performance Committee (HPC) is a volunteer committee mandated to advise and assist Cycling Canada’s High Performance Director (HPD) with the development, review and application of policy related to high performance programs.

The role of the Chair is to collaborate with the HPD in planning and leading committee meetings and discussions; to ensure the HPC makes decisions within its mandate; and to ensure HPC decisions are communicated appropriately.

All HPC members should have strong knowledge of the sport of cycling and skills and experience in some or all of the following areas:

  • Coaching elite cyclists
  • Coaching development cyclists
  • Competing or leading a team at world championships and/or major multisport Games
  • Program management
  • Diversity and inclusion in sport
  • Sport science

In addition, the HPC Chair should have previous experience on a volunteer committee, and be able to:

  • Lead a team
  • Be impartial and objective
  • Respect confidentiality
  • Mediate committee conversations
  • Encourage committee engagement
  • Be tactful
  • Resolve disputes
  • Delegate effectively
  • Organize and chair effective and productive meetings
  • Communicate effectively in writing and verbally
  • Navigate Cycling Canada’s structure and stakeholders

The full HPC mandate and the role of the Chair are contained in Cycling Canada’s Policy on Operational Committees. Interested candidates should contact Cycling Canada’s Chief Executive Officer Matthew Jeffries and High Performance Director Kris Westwood by Feb. 5, 2021.

CYCLING CANADA HIRES CHIEF SPORT OFFICER

Ottawa, ON (January 22, 2021) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce that Scott Kelly will be joining the organization in the newly created role of Chief Sport Officer (CSO). The CSO will be an integral part of Cycling Canada’s senior management team with overall responsibility for leading all elements of Cycling Canada’s sport programming, ensuring seamless progression from development levels through national team programs in alignment with the organization’s long-term strategic plan. Working in close collaboration with High Performance Director Kris Westwood, the CSO will be a key leader in facilitating cohesion and integration across the system and in building a culture of collaboration and excellence within the framework of a safe, inclusive and sustainable sport community.

Kelly has been a vital and active member of the Canadian cycling community for the better part of the past 15 years. He comes into this role having spent over a decade working on the UCI World Cup mountain bike circuit with professional teams such as 3 Rox Racing, Clif Pro Team and the Norco Factory Team, as well as with the Canadian National Team. He has led Canada’s national cyclo-cross team program in a volunteer capacity since 2013 and has experience working at over 20 world championships in mountain bike, road, track as well as cyclo-cross. He was part of Canada’s mission team at both the 2011 Pan American Games and the 2012 Olympic Games and recently served a two-year term as a Director at Large on Cycling Canada’s Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome Scott to our team,” said Cycling Canada Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Jeffries. “In addition to tremendous passion and enthusiasm, he will bring to this position a proven track record of program management, exceptional team building and leadership skills, as well as an important breadth of perspective from having worked across so many different branches of our community. No doubt he will be a great asset for our entire organization as we work towards our mandate of holistically developing the sport across all cycling disciplines from coast to coast.”

“In Canada, we have talented and driven athletes, coaches and support staff. We have incredible clubs, development programs and professional teams. We have world-class cycling facilities and events. We want to work alongside, and build meaningful relationships between Cycling Canada and all of our stakeholders; whether they be athletes, coaches, clubs, professional teams, provincial sport organizations, funding partners or cycling fans. We want to become the best version of Cycling Canada possible and it’s only by working together that we’re going to make our ambitions a reality. We have some big goals as an organization, and I’m convinced that if everyone takes a pull at the front, we can achieve great things. I’m truly excited to do my part to help us get there” said Kelly.

In addition to his experience within National Team and professional cycling ranks, Kelly has spent time within the provincial development environment as a staff member with Alberta Bicycle and as a member of the high performance and events committees with Ontario Cycling. He is a Chartered Professional Coach, has worked within Cycling Canada’s partner network of Canadian Sports Institutes and has also been the co-owner of an independent bike shop in Dundas, ON since 2012.

Kelly will start in his role on February 1st and will be based out of the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, ON.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR CYCLING CANADA BOARD POSITION

Ottawa, ON (December 23, 2020) – Cycling Canada is announcing the opening of a nomination process for one Director-at-Large position on its Board of Directors.

The Cycling Canada Board of Directors is elected by Cycling Canada’s members (Provincial & Territorial Cycling Associations) and is comprised of 6 Director-at-Large positions, a National Team Athlete, the position of President (Chair of the Board), plus one additional position which may be optionally appointed by the Board of Directors.

The role of Cycling Canada’s Board of Directors is to provide overall strategic direction, leadership and stability for the organization. The Board establishes the overall mission and purpose for the organization and it 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.

Board members meet by teleconference once per month, meet in-person twice per year and are also expected to participate on Board committees on a regular basis.

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 of cycling in Canada. For the upcoming special election, the Nominations Committee will prioritize the skill sets, competencies and considerations outlined below:

  • Diversity & Inclusivity
  • Geographic Representation
  • Financial Acumen
  • Fundraising Experience and Capability
  • Governance Expertise
  • Corporate or Non-Profit Board Experience
  • Strategic Planning & Implementation

The election for this position will occur at a Special Meeting of the members of Cycling Canada to be held by conference call on a date to be determined in February 2021. Nominations will close on January 15th.

For additional details please refer to the Nomination Form and the Cycling Canada Policy on Organization Structure.

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES THE RECIPIENTS OF ITS ANNUAL AWARDS

Ottawa, ON (December 10, 2020) – It is with great pleasure that Cycling Canada announces the recipients of its 2020 Annual Awards, all of whom have had significant impacts on the sport of cycling in Canada and around the world. This year, three awards were allocated: Best Junior Rider of the Year, Best Performance in Competition at the World Championships and Provincial Association of the Year.

“Although the 2020 season wasn’t what we initially expected, we saw many outstanding performances from Canadian athletes throughout the year,” said Cycling Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, Matthew Jeffries. “We’d also like to highlight the tremendous work that was done by all of our provincial partners, clubs, event organizers and other stakeholders to respond and adapt in a cohesive fashion amidst such a challenging environment.”

The Russ Copeland Award for Best Junior Rider of the Year was awarded to Squamish’s Teigen Pascual who won all three UCI BMX events she was entered in at the start of the season. Cycling Canada would also like to specially recognize all second-year Junior cyclists who, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, missed the opportunity to express their true talent on the world stage this year.

The President’s Trophy for Best Performance in Competition at the World Championships went to C4 para-cyclist and world record holder Kate O’Brien. O’Brien made her para-cycling debut at the 2020 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Milton, where she set two world records in the flying 200m time trial and the 500m time trial, earning her a gold medal in the process.

Finally, the Torchy Peden Award for Provincial Association of the Year was awarded to Quebec for the quality of their COVID-related communications and protocols throughout the year, as well as their collaboration and support throughout the postponement and cancellation of numerous national and international events, and for their ongoing contributions towards Cycling Canada’s strategic planning and implementation processes.

CYCLING CANADA PARTNERS WITH WAHOO FITNESS

Ottawa, ON (December 7, 2020) – Cycling Canada is excited to announce a 2-year partnership with fitness technology company Wahoo Fitness. Through this partnership, Wahoo will provide KICKR smart trainers and ELEMNT GPS bike computers for National Team and Cycling Canada high performance programs.

Wahoo will also be heavily invested in Cycling Canada’s virtual events calendar by temporarily providing KICKR smart trainers for major virtual competitions. More information regarding these events will be announced in the new year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Wahoo to the Cycling Canada family,” said Josh Peacock, Events & Partnerships Manager at Cycling Canada. “This exciting partnership will provide our High Performance program with best-in-class equipment from a true industry leader, which we are confident will translate to elevated success on the international stage.”

“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Cycling Canada,” commented Colin Eustace, VP Global Marketing at Wahoo. “Their core values resonate perfectly with Wahoo thanks to their desire to help every cyclist develop their full potential. The development of athletes is something Wahoo has always stayed close to; by recognizing and understanding the needs of these athletes, we are able to offer them the latest in innovation to aid them on their journey.”

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR CYCLING CANADA OPERATIONAL COMMITTEES

Ottawa, ON (November 18, 2020) – Cycling Canada welcomes personal expressions of interest, or the identification of individuals, who are capable, willing and motivated to serve the organization in a volunteer capacity for two operational committees:

  • Events Committee
  • Officials Committee

Detailed terms of reference and desired committee member skills matrix are attached. Individuals interested in submitting their candidature for the Events Committee are kindly asked to complete the Candidate Self-Evaluation Form and submit within their expression of interest email.

Committee size is flexible, based on the ability to find a competent cross-section of skills, in the following expected range:

  • Officials: Four to six.
  • Events: Four to six.

The term of each appointment is two years.  Approximately half of the committee members will be selected each year to provide continuity and renewal.  Note that this is the first year of transition from elected to appointed committee members.  Therefore, individuals who were elected for a two-year term, in October 2018, will remain on the committee until the end of 2020.

Expected time commitment for committee members is a few hours per month, mainly for teleconference meetings, with one or two face-to-face meetings per year.

Interested individuals should email general@cyclingcanada.ca with the subject ‘Committee Expression of Interest’ by December 4, 2020.   The email should identify which committee they are interested in and may include any relevant supporting information.

Following the December 4th deadline, staff will review, assess, and identify the ideal individuals for each of the committees.

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES 2021 NEXTGEN ATHLETES

Ottawa, ON (November 18, 2020) Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the names of the 47 athletes who were selected to join the BMX, Mountain Bike, Para-cycling and Track NextGen programs for the 2021 season. Selected athletes will be working with Cycling Canada’s NextGen coaches, as well as coaches from across the country including former Olympians Tory Nyhaug, Joe Veloce and Tanya Dubnicoff.

“I am excited by the depth of talent we have across all cycling disciplines looking to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond,” said Jenny Trew, Cycling Canada’s NextGen Lead Coach. “As we start this quad with enhanced NextGen programs, we are already setting considerable goals with the aim of achieving medal success in Paris. Our athletes, coaches and staff are excited and motivated for the opportunities that lie ahead.”

In addition to its NextGen programs, Cycling Canada will be launching a new coaching program for road athletes, providing them with the opportunity to be trained by National Team coaches. Four athletes will be entering the pilot version of the program, with the goal of expanding the program in the coming years.

BMX

James Hedgcock – Ancaster, ON [Coach – Brendan Arnold, Team – Milton BMX]
Curtis Krey – Etobicoke, ON [Coach – Brendan Arnold, Team – Milton BMX]
Carson Kowaski – Red Deer, AB [Coach – Tory Nyhaug, Team – Red Deer BMX]
Riley Lavorato – Lethbridge, AB [Coach – Brendan Arnold, Team – Lethbridge BMX]
Teigen Pascual – Squamish, BC [Coach – Arielle Martin, Team – Squamish BMX]
Molly Simpson – Red Deer, AB [Coach – Adam Muys, Team – Red Deer BMX]
Ryan Tougas – Pitt Meadows, BC [Coach – Adam Muys, Team – Ridge Meadows BMX]

Mountain Bike

Raphaël Auclair – Lac-Beauport, QC [Coach – Jeff Ain, Team – Pivot Cycles – OTE]
Quinton Disera – Barrie, ON [Coach – Jeff Ain, Team – Norco Factory Team]
Emilly Johnston – Comox, BC [Coach – Jeff Ain, Team – Pendrel Racing]
Dylan Kerr – Barrie, ON [Coach – Jeff Ain, Team – Angry Johnny’s]
Jérémie La Grenade – Gatineau, QC [Coach – Jeff Ain, Team – Ride with Rendall]
Juliette Tétreault – Val-des-Monts, QC [Coach – Jeff Ain, Team – Ride with Rendall]
Roxane Vermette – Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, QC [Coach – Jeff Ain, Team – Vélo Club MSA]
Carter Woods – Cumberland, BC [Coach – Jeff Ain, Team – Norco Factory Team]

Para-cycling

Louis-Albert Corriveau-Jolin – Quebec City, QC [Coach – Eric Van Den Eynde]
Joey Desjardins – Hawkesbury, ON [Coach – Sébastien Travers]
Kara Douville – Calgary, AB [Coach – Phil Abbott]
Matthew Kinnie – Moncton, NB [Coach – Guillaume Plourde]
Michael Shetler – Kirkland, QC [Coach – James Jacek-Côté]
Carla Shibley & Meghan Brown (pilot) – Calgary, AB [Coach – Phil Abbott]
Lowell Taylor & Ed Veal (pilot) – Lethbridge, AB [Coach – Phil Abbott]

Track – Sprint

Jackie Boyle – Toronto, ON [Coach – Dave Jack]
Madison Dempster – Milton, ON [Coach – Jenny Trew, Team – Midweek Cycling]
Ryan Dodyk – Edmonton, ON [Coach – Alex Ongaro, Team – Juventus Cycling Club]
James Hedgcock – Ancaster, ON [Coach – Brendan Arnold, Team – Madonna Wheelers Cycling Club]
Andrew Scott – Oakville, ON [Coach – Joe Veloce]
Gavin Thomas – Calgary, AB [Coach – Tanya Dubnicoff, Team – Cyclemeisters/Bow Cycle]

Men’s Track Endurance

Evan Burtnik – Edmonton, ON [Coach – Jenny Trew, Team – XSpeed United]
Chris Ernst – Kitchener, ON [Coach – Jenny Trew, Team – XSpeed United]
Amiel Flett-Brown – Vancouver, BC [Coach – Houshang Amiri, Team – Red Truck Racing]
Mathias Guillemette – Trois-Rivières, QC [Coach – Pascal Morin, Team – XSpeed United]
Jackson Kinniburgh – Calgary, ON [Coach – Tanya Dubnicoff, Team – Digital Commerce Bank]
Ethan Ogrodniczuk – Vancouver, BC [Coach – Richard Wooles, Team – Glotman Simpson]
Sean Richardson – Vancouver, BC [Coach – Tim Sherstobitoff, Team – TAG Cycling]

Women’s Track Endurance

Erin Attwell – Victoria, BC [Coach – Jenny Trew, Team – Cyclery Racing]
Ngaire Barraclough – Edmonton, AB [Coach – Alex Ongaro, Team – InstaFund La Prima]
Hayley Basterash – Edmonton, AB [Coach – Kevin Clark]
Miriam Brouwer – Cambridge, ON [Coach – Jenny Trew, Team – Cyclery Racing]
Devaney Collier – Edmonton, AB [Coach – Jenny Trew, Team – Cyclery Racing]
Adèle Desgagnés – Montreal, QC [Coach – Yannick Bédard, Team – Équipe Cycliste Québecor Stingray]
Lily Plante – Sutton, QC [Coach – Yannick Bédard, Team – Équipe Cycliste Desjardins-Ford]
Kaitlyn Rauwerda – Hamilton, ON [Coach – Chris Rozdilsky, Team – Cyclery Racing]
Callie Swan – Prince George, BC [Coach – Richard Wooles, Team – Macogep-Tornatech-Girondins de Bordeaux]
Sarah Van Dam – Victoria, BC [Coach – Richard Wooles, Team – Red Truck Racing]
Ruby West – Dundas, ON [Coach – Jeremy Powers, Team – Proximus-Alphamotorhomes-Dolticini CT]

CYCLING CANADA LAUNCHES 2021 NEXTGEN PROGRAM

Ottawa, ON (October 1st, 2020) Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the launch of its NextGen program for the 2021 season. The NextGen program, which is open to all Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, is designed to rapidly accelerate the training and development of each athlete by exposing them to a world-class training environment under the guidance of expert coaches and staff with the goal of raising the bar for what is possible.

The athlete selection process is open to all Canadian riders and will take place in October, with athletes being notified of their selection by the end of the month. Interested athletes are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the programs listed below and to contact the relevant coach with an expression of interest or any questions they may have.

“The coaching and staff expertise that we have at Cycling Canada is truly exceptional,” said Jenny Trew, Cycling Canada’s NextGen Lead Coach. “The strength that we bring to our NextGen programs through expert collaboration allows us to capitalize on our collective strengths both through and across all programs. I am excited to build an even stronger and tighter Canadian cycling community that will raise the expectations and standards of what is possible for our athletes. We aim to empower athletes with the training, knowledge, skills and behaviours to maximize their performances on the world stage.”

Since its inception in 2014, Cycling Canada’s NextGen program has developed a tradition of success with graduates moving into National Team Elite programs. With athletes such as Ariane Bonhomme and Nick Wammes officially set to take the stage in Tokyo, the program has successfully proved that it can springboard athletes to the top level of the sport.

BMX
Mountain Bike
Para
Track Endurance
Track Sprint
Road

CYCLING CANADA UNVEILS 2021 NATIONAL CALENDAR

Ottawa, ON (September 28, 2020) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce its robust 2021 national calendar, adding some exciting new events to an already substantial list of national and international races on Canadian soil.

“We are very excited to return with a complete calendar of national events for the 2021 season across all disciplines,” said Events & Partnerships Manager Josh Peacock. “Although Cycling Canada remains optimistic that the conditions surrounding the current pandemic will improve, we remain conscious that our ability to deliver our national events calendar may be subject to ongoing public health regulations. Cycling Canada will continue to work alongside our dedicated group of national event organizers, provincial partners and public health authorities to provide all of the necessary resources to ensure our 2021 events calendar can be conducted in a safe and effective manner.”

The mountain bike Canada Cup calendar will kick off in Mont-Tremblant, QC, on May 29-30 with offerings in both the DH and XC disciplines as a part of the wider Crossroads Tremblant festival. The calendar continues with XCO and DH stops in Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia, with exciting conclusions at the Crankworx Festival for DH series, and in Dieppe, NB, for the XC series. As was planned for 2020, all junior events within the XC series will be sanctioned at a minimum level of UCI C2 including four stops on the UCI Junior Series.

From July 10-11, the Canadian XCO Championships return to Hardwood Ski & Bike in Oro Station, ON, while the Canadian Downhill Championships head to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden, B.C., on July 24-25. The season will conclude with a stop at one of Canada’s most exciting mountain bike venues in Saint-Félicien, QC, for the Canadian XC Marathon Championships on September 11th. Notably absent from the calendar is the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC. With the UCI unable to offer a two-year contract for the hosting of the Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup in 2021 & 2022, organizers have opted to take a brief hiatus from programming in 2021 and work towards an agreement for the return of the event in 2022 & 2023.

The BMX Canada Cup series will kick off in Drummondville, QC, on June 19-20, followed by an exciting new stop on the series at Haut-Richelieu, QC, on June 26-27 and a stand-alone Canada Cup in St. Albert, AB, on July 17-18. The season will conclude with the Canadian BMX Championships & Canada Cup finale at Calgary BMX on August 28-29.

The UCI Gran Fondo World Series will continue to build its presence on Canadian soil with the Classique des Appalaches in Victoriaville, QC, on July 1-3 making its debut on the national calendar. Adding to the profile of the event will be the inclusion of the Canadian Masters Road Championships from July 1-4, cementing Victoriaville as a destination for Canadian and North American masters riders alike.

On the Elite side, road racing will commence on June 3rd with the UCI women’s Chrono Féminin de la Gatineau followed by the Tour de Gatineau on June 4th. A few weeks later, racing will resume in Beauce with the Canadian Elite/Junior/Para Road Championships taking place on June 17-20, followed by the Tour de Beauce on June 23-27. Rounding out the domestic UCI calendar will be the fan-favourite BC Superweek from July 9-18 and Canadian road calendar staple Tour de l’Abitibi from July 12-18. The season is capped by UCI WorldTour stops in Quebec City and Montreal on September 10 and 12 for the Grand Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal.

The para-cycling national schedule will once again return to Montreal on May 1-2 for the Challenge Gary Longhi as part of the Défi Sportif AlterGo, a multisport event for athletes with functional limitations. The season will continue with the Canadian Road Championships on June 17-20, and finish with the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Baie-Comeau with final dates still to be confirmed.

Noticeably vacant from the current calendar are events in the cyclo-cross, track, and para track cycling disciplines. Cycling Canada is currently working with organizers in both disciplines towards an event application deadline of October 1st. Following review of all relevant applications, Cycling Canada will publish a release with complete event detail in late 2020. For the full 2021 events calendar, click here.

“We would like to take this opportunity to commend our local and national organizing committees across the country who have continued to demonstrate an inspiring sense of optimism and resilience as we weather this storm,” said Peacock. “We are thrilled to be working with them as we build towards another exciting year of national calendar racing.”

CYCLING CANADA WELCOMES THREE NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Ottawa, ON (September 18, 2020) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the results of its 2020 Board of Directors Election from its Annual Meeting held via video conference on Tuesday, September 15, 2020. This year, Cycling Canada’s members voted to elect three new directors from a slate of five nominees.

Each of the following Directors will serve two-year terms in the role of Director-At-Large:

  1. Louizandre Dauphin (Markham, ON)
  2.  Aubrie De Sylva (Toronto, ON)
  3. Shauna Finlay (Edmonton, AB)

Also joining the Cycling Canada Board as of September 8, 2020, is Andrew L’Esperance, who moves into the position of Athlete Representative. A member of Canada’s national mountain bike team, Andrew is co-chair of the Cycling Canada Athletes’ Council and succeeds Annie Foreman-Mackey who had served in this capacity on the Cycling Canada Board since January 2019.

Cycling Canada would like to extend a warm welcome to its new Directors as well as a sincere thank you to all of the candidates who put their names forward as nominees in the election. A very special thank you also goes out to outgoing Cycling Canada Board members Greg Cote, Paul Devries and Scott Kelly for their commitment and contribution to the board during their respective terms.

Continuing their ongoing terms on the Cycling Canada Board of Directors are Mark Gilligan, Curt Harnett, Bill Kinash, Kelly Murray and Pierre Laflamme (President).

The role of Cycling Canada’s Board of Directors is to provide overall strategic direction, leadership and stability for the organization. The Board establishes the overall mission and purpose for the organization and it 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.