News – Page 2 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

CYCLING NWT JOINS CYCLING CANADA AS 12TH PROVINCIAL/TERRITORIAL SPORT ORGANIZATION

Yellowknife, NT (Jan. 27, 2025) – Cycling Canada and Cycling NWT are thrilled to announce that Cycling NWT has become the 12th Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO) for cycling in Canada. This partnership marks a significant milestone for promoting cycling across the vast and diverse communities of Canada, expanding an aligned national sport system into the Northwest Territories.

“Community growth is a pillar of Cycling Canada’s strategic plan and to expand the cycling network into a new territory in Canada is not an everyday occurrence,” said Robyn Skinner, Cycling Canada Director of Community Growth and Engagement. “We welcome Cycling NWT to the Canadian cycling community and anticipate learning and supporting our new sport partner in the north.”

Lisa McShane, Member of the Cycling NWT Board of Directors, also expressed her enthusiasm: “We love seeing cycling as a sport but also as a recreational activity in the communities. Involving other sports, sport and recreation partners, and building capacity will be a great journey for all of us.”

As a National Sport Organization (NSO), Cycling Canada is the governing body for cycling within Canada and works closely with its member PTSOs to oversee and develop the sport. PTSOs follow NSO policies and rules, as well as bring national programming to their regional communities in support of a unified athlete pathway and consistent, accessible and safe nationwide sport environment.

Cycling NWT has already made impactful strides by hosting its first National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Coaching Clinic, resulting in several trained NCCP Community Coaches and additional candidates currently undergoing training in Mountain Biking Introduction to Competition Coaching. The organization is also in the process of identifying athletes for future competitions, including the 2025 Canada Summer Games, ensuring readiness for upcoming events.

For more information about Cycling Canada’s PTSO, click here.

January 27, 2025/by Communications

FOUR CYCLING COACHES SELECTED FOR WOMEN AND GENDER EQUITY IN COACHING INITIATIVE

Ottawa, ON (Jan. 22, 2025) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the four participants selected to represent cycling in the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) Women and Gender Equity in Coaching initiative.

Mentors
Joanie Caron – BC
Petrina Tulissi – AB

Mentees
Scheherazade Haque – ON
Maxine Bergeron – QC

“I see this mentorship program as a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and gain insights that can directly be applied to my work and the coaching community that I’m part of,” said Bergeron, who is the Director of Sport Programs at the Centre National Cyclisme de Bromont. “I’m excited to build lasting connections and gather fresh perspectives to help me grow as both a coach and facilitator. From this program, I hope to acquire versatile coaching tools. Ultimately, I want to solidify best coaching practices that I can bring to my environment, support the athletes I work with, and share with other coaches.”

The Women and Gender Equity in Coaching initiative provides mentorship, expert-led education sessions, hands-on experiences and resources designed to advance gender equity. The initiative will also produce legacy materials, including policy recommendations, new programs, and contributions to conferences and publications.

“Cycling Canada is thrilled to be involved with the Women and Gender Equity project funded through the Coaching Association of Canada,” said Jennifer Milligan, Cycling Canada Community and Grassroots Manager. “This is an incredible opportunity for women and non-binary coaches to be involved with coaching at the grassroots level up to the National Team level. This project will allow the mentors and mentees to work together and be involved in Cycling Canada projects so they can gain valuable experience in their coaching journey. It will also provide resources and learnings over the next 14 months that we can continue to use to be able to offer more mentorship opportunities to all coaches.”

For more information, click here.

January 22, 2025/by Communications

THANK YOU, DAN PROULX

After over 15 years with Cycling Canada, Canadian National Cycling Team Head Coach Dan Proulx will be moving on to a new role with Triathlon Canada as their High Performance Director. While saddened to see Dan leave, we are immensely proud of his achievements and excited by the new opportunities that await him.

Dan’s tenure with Cycling Canada was marked by exceptional leadership and a profound impact on both our athletes and the broader cycling community. He served as the Team Manager during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and was hired as Cycling Canada’s full-time Mountain Bike Coach in 2009. Dan was promoted to the role of Canadian National Cycling Team Head Coach in 2021.

Dan Proulx at Santiago 2023 Pan American Games
Photo credit: Dave Holland

Under Dan’s guidance, our athletes achieved remarkable success, including multiple World Championship titles, and Paralympic and Olympic medals. As a four-time Petro-Canada Coaching Excellence Award winner, he was instrumental in developing the next generation of Canadian coaches, ensuring sustained excellence within our programs. His commitment to nurturing both athletic performance and personal growth has left an indelible mark on our organization.

“2024 marked 20 years of working with Dan Proulx for me,” said National Team Coach and four-time Olympian Catharine Pendrel. “From my early days as an athlete, to Olympic and Championship medals and then my transition to full-time coaching, Dan has been there every step of the way. He has had such a huge impact on me and my career. He has led us with belief in our abilities, passion for coaching and empowerment. He will definitely be missed!”

Catharine Pendrel and Dan Proulx at 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
Source: Instagram (@cpendrel)

Thank you, Dan, for your exceptional service. You will always remain a cherished member of our community and we look forward to your future success.

January 17, 2025/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES 2024 ANNUAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

Ottawa, ON (Jan. 13, 2025) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Annual Awards, which recognize individuals and events that made large impacts in the cycling community over the past year.

“Congratulations to our 2024 Annual Award recipients,” said Mathieu Boucher, Cycling Canada Chief Executive Officer. “These awards highlight the passion, commitment and dedication that fuel the growth of cycling across the country. We are incredibly fortunate to have such an inspiring community of athletes, coaches, officials and organizers who make an impact every day. Thank you to all the nominees, nominators and everyone who participated in this year’s awards process.”

The 2024 Annual Award recipients are:

Canadian International Commissaire of the Year
Geordie Ma – Calgary, AB

Canadian National Commissaire of the Year
Christian Côté – Sherbrooke, QC

Coaches of the Year
BMX: Nicolas Londono – Bromont, QC
Cyclo-cross: Robert Holmgren – Orillia, ON
Mountain Bike: Robert Holmgren – Orillia, ON
Road: Eric Van Den Eynde – Bromont, QC; Chris Rozdilsky – Shefford, QC; Christine Gillard – Beaupre, QC
Track: Rob Good – Kitchener ON

Community Coaches of the Year
Jeff Currie – Berry Mills, NB
Steph Sutton – Dundas, ON

Events of the Year
BMX: Drummondville BMX Canada Cup – Drummondville, QC
Canadian Championship: Canadian XCM MTB Championships – Thunder Bay, ON
Cyclocross: Cyclocross de Lévis – Lévis, QC
International: UCI Mont-Sainte-Anne MTB World Cup – Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC
Mountain Bike: Dieppe MTB XCO & XCC Canada Cup – Dieppe, NB
Road: Tour de Gatineau – Gatineau, QC

President’s Trophy
Isabella Holmgren – Orillia, ON

Russ Copeland Award
Rafaëlle Carrier – Lac-Beauport, QC

Commissaire of the Year recipients were nominated by their peers and respective Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO) for their exceptional accomplishments, contributions and assignments at local, national and international events. A UCI International Commissaire in cyclo-cross and newly appointed International Commissaire in mountain bike, Christian Côté earned the national title in recognition of his involvement in more than 80 events in cyclo-cross, mountain bike, road and track across all sanctioning levels since 2022. His commitment to developing the sport extends to training the next generation of commissaires: 16 candidates became provincial/territorial commissaires under his tutelage, with four more currently in training. The international award went to Geordie Ma for notable assignments in 2024 that included the Paris Olympic Games, UCI BMX World Championships and World Cups in BMX and mountain bike. He is dedicated to commissaire development from the provincial/territorial to international level, serving as Chair of Cycling Canada Officials’ Committee and a member of the UCI Commissaire Training Board.

Coach of the Year recipients were selected through a nomination process supported by their athlete and/or team that won a 2024 Canadian Cycling Championship title. The awards were given to: Nicolas Londono for Canadian BMX Junior Women Champion, Thessalie Bruneau; Robert Holmgren for Canadian Mountain Bike Champions, Émilien Belzile (XCC and XCO U17 Men) and Ava Holmgren (XCO U23 Women), and Canadian Cyclo-cross Champions, Ian Ackert (Elite Men), Belzile (Junior Men) and Isabella Holmgren (Elite Women); Eric Van Den Eynde for Canadian Road Champions, Benoit Lalumière and Maximilien Moreau (Para Road Race Tandem) and Louis Albert Corriveau Jolin (Para Road Race T1 and T2); Chris Rozdilsky Canadian Road Criterium Women Elite Champion, Magdeleine Vallières Mill; Christine Gillard for Canadian Road Time Trial Men Elite Champion, Pier-André Coté; and Rob Good for Canadian Track Women U17 Champion, Alex Fangeat.

The Community Coaches of Year were nominated by community members and supported by their PTSO. Representing the Dieppe Cycling Centre, Jeff Currie partnered with Vélo New Brunswick to deliver the HopOn program. A leader of grassroots programming in New Brunswick, he was instrumental in supporting HopOn festivals activated through Sport Canada’s Community Sport for All (CSAI) grant. Steph Sutton also delivered HopOn programing through Golden Horseshoe Cycling Hub and Ontario Cycling. The care she takes in her work to ensure a positive, safe environment and mentor new HopOn instructors optimizes the experience for all participants.

Event of the Year recipients were selected through a combined public and internal voting process, the results of which highlighted events that exceeded expectations in terms of operations, atmosphere and overall experience. Several repeat winners highlighted Canadian event organizers’ commitment to sustained excellence: the Dieppe MTB XCO & XCC Canada Cup won its fourth award, while the Drummondville BMX Canada Cup and Cyclocross de Lévis were recognized for a second year.

Isabella Holmgren was awarded the President’s Trophy for a second consecutive year, as voted on by members of the Canadian National Cycling Team. Representing a best performance in World Championship competition, Isabella notably secured the honour with not one, but two wins over the same weekend at the 2024 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. There, she claimed the Women U23 rainbow jerseys in both the Cross-country Short Circuit (XCC) and Cross-country Olympic (XCO) disciplines.

Rafaëlle Carrier was also recognized by her fellow Canadian National Cycling Team members with the Russ Copeland Award for best Junior rider. The reigning Canadian Champion in Women Junior’s Cyclo-cross, XCC and XCO made an impressive UCI World Championship debut in 2024, capturing silver in the Mountain Bike XCO World Championship and cracking the top 20 at the Cyclo-cross World Championship.

January 13, 2025/by Communications

VOTING OPEN FOR 2024 CYCLING CANADA ANNUAL AWARDS

Ottawa, ON (Nov. 29, 2024) – It’s that time of the year where we recognize the hard work done during the 2024 season through our annual awards. Each award will be given to the race organization or individual who went above and beyond their duties. Awards include:

Event of the Year
Riders can vote on which national event stood out most based on registration, timing and the quality of course or track. Based on participant feedback through an online survey, the award will be given to the race organizer for their outstanding work.

Submission Form – Events

Coaching Recognition Awards
The Coaching Recognition Award is presented to coaches whose Canadian athletes or teams won gold while competing at any of the Canadian Championships during the 2024 season. The Coaching Recognition Award – Community is presented to a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) coach who delivers quality, safe and inclusive grassroots programming.

Submission Form – Canadian Championship Coaches
Submission Form – Community Coaches

Commissaires of the Year
Nominated by their peers or a Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO) staff member, Commissaire of the Year is awarded to those who have made national and international contributions to the sport.

Submission deadlines are set on Dec. 12, 2024 for all awards. The winners will be announced in January 2025.

November 29, 2024/by Communications

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR CYCLING CANADA OPERATIONAL COMMITTEES

Ottawa, ON (Nov. 20, 2024) – Cycling Canada welcomes personal expressions of interest for the identification of individuals who are capable, willing and motivated to serve the organization in a volunteer capacity on one of four operational committees:

Committee	Vacancies Available	How to Apply
Events Committee	Three (3)	Email the Events Candidate Self-Evaluation Form to general@cyclingcanada.ca with the subject ‘Committee Expression of Interest’
Officials Committee	Four (4)	Email the Officials Candidate Self-Evaluation Form to general@cyclingcanada.ca with the subject ‘Committee Expression of Interest’
Coach Development Committee	Three (3)	Email the Coach Development Candidate Self-Evaluation Form to general@cyclingcanada.ca with the subject ‘Committee Expression of Interest’
High Performance Committee	Three to five (3-5)	Online via this form

The deadline to submit expressions of interest is Dec. 11, 2024. Following the deadline, staff will review, assess and identify the ideal individuals for each of the committees.

Detailed committee responsibilities, terms of reference and the desired committee member skills matrix can be found in the Cycling Canada Policy on Operational Committees. For 2025, the High Performance Committe is specifically seeking candidates knowledgeable in BMX racing, mountain bike, para-cycling and track cycling.

Committee members will be selected on an annual basis with each appointment lasting two years, starting January 2025. Size is flexible and is based on the ability to find a competent cross-section of skills and experience. 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.

November 20, 2024/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES BOARD OF DIRECTOR UPDATES

Ottawa, ON (Nov. 6, 2024) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce updates to the composition of its Board of Directors following its Annual Meeting held via video conference on Sept. 24, 2024.

At the Annual Meeting, Cycling Canada’s member Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations voted to elect three incumbent directors from a slate of 10 nominees. Each of these directors will serve three-year terms in the role of Director-at-Large.

Cycling Canada directors elected Sept. 24, 2024:

Mark Collins (Milton, ON)
Louizandre Dauphin (Abbotsford, BC)
Denise Ramsden (Toronto, ON)

Subsequent to the Annual Meeting, the Cycling Canada Board elected Mark Collins (Milton, ON) to serve as Chair of the Board for a term that will conclude at the next Annual Meeting in September 2025. This is Collins’ second year as Chair, succeeding Pierre Laflamme (Quebec, QC), who had served as Chair since December 2018.

Stepping down from the Cycling Canada Board is Curt Harnett (Toronto, ON), who served from September 2019 to 2024. The Board would like to recognize and thank Curt for his significant contributions over his time on the Board, particularly in the areas of fundraising, where he spearheaded the launch of the Club 1882 program.

Continuing their ongoing terms on the Cycling Canada Board of Directors are Directors-at-Large Lara Check, Andrea Eby, Pierre Laflamme and Kelly Murray. The position of Athlete Representative continues to be held by Forrest Riesco by virtue of his role as Chair of the Cycling Canada Athletes’ Council.

Cycling Canada would like to extend a warm welcome to its returning directors as well as a sincere thank you to all the candidates who put their names forward as nominees in the recent election.

The role of the 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.

Cycling Canada Board of Directors (October 2024)

Lara Check Director-at-large
Mark Collins Director-at-large/Chair
Louizandre Dauphin Director-at-large
Andrea Eby Director-at-large
Pierre Laflamme Director-at-large
Kelly Murray Director-at-large
Denise Ramsden Director-at-large
Forrest Riesco National Team Athlete Representative

November 6, 2024/by Communications

ACTION AT THE CANADIAN BMX FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS AND UCI CYCLING ESPORTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (Oct. 28, 2024) – Canadian cycling athletes were in action on Oct. 26, 2024 both at the Canadian BMX Freestyle Championships in Bromont, QC, and in Abu Dhabi, UAE for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.

Canadian BMX Freestyle Championships

The new acrobatic zone at the Centre National de Cyclisme de Bromont was the setting for the crowning of two new BMX freestyle winners.

Alexandra Laforest and Maxime Chalifour, who frequently train in Bromont, were on a mission to win this year’s honors. They lived up to expectations, both scoring the highest score in their respective categories.

“I’ve only been doing BMX freestyle for a year,” commented Laforest. “My boyfriend, Maxime (Chalifour), gave me his old bike. I’m a former rugby and soccer player, so I was looking for a new sport with adrenaline. I put a lot of effort into this year to be able to get the title of Canadian champion, and then it paid off because we won it!”

“We train here regularly,” added Chalifour. “It’s barely been a year since the center opened, and I made it my mission to win this year. Last year, at Joyride150 in Ontario, I finished second, and I really wanted to take first place this time. It feels good, with all the family and friends here, it’s great.”

On the men’s side, Mike Varga and Olympian Jeffrey Whaley took silver and bronze respectively, while Sarah Dinel and Marie-Soleil St-Laurent finished second and third on the women’s podium.

UCI Cycling Esports World Championships

Two Canadian athletes, Thomas Thrall and Tiffany Penner, were geared up for the final round of the UCI Esports World Championships, after months of planning and several qualifying rounds. As one of the 20 finalists in their categories, Thrall and Penner finished 12th and 17th respectively.

In the men’s category, Germany’s Jason Osborne took top honours, while Belgium’s Lionel Vujasin and Finland’s Kasper Borremans finished second and third respectively. New Zealand’s Kat McCarthy took the women’s world title, ahead of Brazil’s Gabriela Guerra and Switzerland’s Kathrin Fuhren, who took silver and bronze respectively.

The complete list of results from the Canadian BMX Freestyle Championships is available here, and the list of results from the UCI Esports World Championships is available here.

The next national championships on the calendar are the Canadian Cyclo-cross Championships on Nov. 16 and 17 in Lévis, QC. The complete calendar of national events can be consulted on the Cycling Canada website.

October 28, 2024/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA UNVEILS 2025 NATIONAL CALENDAR

Edited on 01/28 to reflect the location change for the second XCO Canada Cup from Tremblant to Sherbrooke
Edited on 11/25 to reflect the date change of the Silver Star Canada Cup to Aug. 2-3
Edited on 10/23 to reflect the addition of the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix to the calendar

Ottawa, ON (Oct. 22, 2024) – Cycling Canada is proud to share the 2025 national events calendar. From series like the Canada Cup and Canadian Cycling Championships, to world-class UCI-sanctioned events, next year’s calendar brings quality cycling opportunities to Canadians nationwide.

“Following an exhilarating 2024 season that showcased the best of Canadian cycling, we are excited to unveil our 2025 national events calendar,” said Jen Eaton, Events and Officials Manager. “Thanks to the unwavering support and enthusiasm from our dedicated organizers and provincial partners, we’re able to offer abundant opportunities for our talented Canadian athletes to shine on home soil, coast to coast. We eagerly anticipate the cycling community uniting for another season of exceptional racing.”

National Events
We are proud to sanction UCI events across the country, where the talents of rookies and stars alike can shine. See our calendar of UCI-sanctioned events below.

The 2025 calendar has expanded to include the addition of a women’s portion to the Tour de l’Abitibi and the development of the Coupe de l’Avenir, a road stage race specifically designed for Junior and U17 riders. Joyride 150 will also host a UCI C1 BMX Freestyle competition, welcoming the world’s best.

Canada Cup

Cycling Canada is proud to present another year of the Canada Cup. The country’s most prestigious off-road racing series offers a complete calendar of events encompassing three cycling disciplines: cross-country mountain biking, downhill mountain biking and BMX racing. For 2025, we are proud to announce a new XCO/XCC stop in Prince Edward Island. See below for the full calendar.

Canadian Championships

As announced last July, our Canadian Cycling Championship calendar is shaping up to be a busy one, with exciting events like the return of the Canadian Enduro Championships after a one-year hiatus. To discover the events scheduled for 2025, click here.

October 22, 2024/by Communications

CANADIAN CYCLING HALL OF FAME TO INDUCT FIVE NEW MEMBERS

Ottawa, ON (Oct. 11, 2024) – Five new members will be inducted into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame, to be held on Oct. 27, 2024, in Ottawa, ON, as part of Cycling Canada’s Annual Conference. Anne Samplonia, Sylvia Burka and Susan Palmer will be inducted as athletes, while Rob Jones and Tracy Harkness will both be recognized for their achievements as builders.
The Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame was created in 2015 to recognize outstanding achievement and contribution to the sport of cycling by both athletes and builders. With this induction, the Hall of Fame will total 41 members, including 31 athletes and ten builders. Tickets to attend the induction ceremony are available here. They include a meal and a donation to Club 1882.

Below are the 2024 inductees:

Sylvia Burka

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Sylvia Burka was a remarkable athlete who overcame early adversity to achieve excellence in both winter and summer sports. Despite losing an eye as a child, Burka went on to represent Canada in three Winter Olympic Games as a speed skater before taking up track cycling in 1975. As a pioneer in Canadian women’s cycling, Burka claimed 12 national sprint titles throughout her illustrious cycling career excelling in the 100m, pursuit, time trial, and road race events. Burka’s accomplishments laid the foundation for future Canadian cycling stars like Clara Hughes, Tanya Dubnicoff, and Leah Kirchmann, all of whom followed in her footsteps. Through her achievements, Burka not only became a celebrated figure in Canadian sport but also an inspiration for generations of athletes.

Susan Palmer

Sue Palmer has long been a cornerstone of Canadian cycling, establishing herself as one of the country’s most accomplished cyclists throughout her extensive career. A dedicated member of the Canadian National Cycling Team, Palmer consistently represented Canada on the world stage over two decades, competing in numerous elite international events. A veteran of the UCI Road World Championships, Palmer competed in 11 editions of the event, from 1993 through 2006. Her ability to compete at the highest level for so many years is a testament to her endurance, determination, and skill.

Anne Samplonius

Anne Samplonius enjoyed a long and successful career as a member of the Canadian National Cycling Team, representing Canada on the world stage across numerous events and disciplines. A fixture in international competition, Samplonius represented Canada at the UCI Road World Championships 10 times, spanning nearly two decades from 1993 to 2010. Her dedication and consistency made her one of the top time trial specialists of her era and a cornerstone of Canadian women’s cycling.

Rob Jones & Tracy Harkness

Rob Jones and Tracy Harkness have been trailblazers in the Canadian cycling scene, making significant strides to elevate the sport both through their advocacy and media work, as well as being an instrumental part in the establishment of mountain bike racing in the 80’s. In late 1994, Jones and Harkness launched Canadian Cyclist, a publication that quickly became a leading voice for cycling news, stories, and events across the country. Their motivation was simple but powerful: to inform and involve more Canadians in the sport they love. Together, they have made an indelible mark on cycling in Canada, supporting the sport’s growth through their media work and grassroots efforts. Their combined dedication continues to foster a thriving cycling community and a legacy for Canadian cyclists.

Get your tickets for the 2024 Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame Event here.

October 11, 2024/by Communications