News – Page 49 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

OPEN LETTER TO UCI NATIONAL CYCLING FEDERATIONS ON BEHALF OF CYCLING CANADA

(Ottawa, ON – September 4th, 2013) Today the Board of Directors of Cycling Canada made public a letter in support of Brian Cookson for the position of President of the International Cycling Union (UCI). The election will take place at the UCI Congress in Florence, Italy on September 27.

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Over the past year Cycling Canada has received a lot of input from concerned Canadian cyclists and key stakeholders. This input has generally been with one key message – the desire for more transparency and accountability within the governance structure of the UCI and a call for a fresh start under new leadership.

Despite this call for change it should be recognized the current leadership has brought about considerable growth through globalization of cycling with the new UCI pro-tour continental series and the introduction of the biological passport, which was very forward thinking and has aided in cleaning up the sport. Canada has benefited from this rise in popularity, the globalization of the sport and a cleaner peloton. In Canada we have seen the start of two World Tour races in Quebec and the Tour of Alberta, Mountain Bike World Cups and World Championships in Mont Ste. Anne, regularly held Para-Cycling World Cups and this year’s Para-Cycling Worlds. Canada is building its first world class velodrome as part of the 2015 Pan Am / Parapan Am Games. As a cycling nation Canadians have seen a Giro d’Italia winner in Ryder Hesjedal, along with numerous World Champions in mountain, track and Para- cycling.

Despite these successes, one realizes that with the pervasive revelations of doping this growth in cycling has been on the back of deceit and cheats. This has left a dark cloud of uncertainty and skepticism surrounding cycling as a whole, a tarnished public perception, where we have seen parents question bringing their children to the sport and sponsors, supporters and government funding bodies leaving the sport. As we look from the current global climate toward the future of our sport, it is as important to stand for openness, transparency, accountability, and honesty as it is to deliver on these high goals. There is a need and a call for leadership change not only to improve the perception of cycling but to improve on governance, stakeholder relations, and further work to advance the fight on doping, among other priorities.

It is with the voices of Canadians in mind that the Board of Directors of Cycling Canada believes Brian Cookson represents the best path forward.

We believe Mr. Cookson is best positioned to deliver the necessary transformation and will drive the kind of organizational change we feel is necessary for cycling to reach its extensive potential. He has stated he is not willing to stand for a corrupt sport and he recognizes the need for a collaborative approach with all stakeholders going forward. His manifesto shows he understands the issues at hand, not the least of which includes bringing the hearts and minds of cyclists back to the sport. He has the necessary experience and a proven track record in the sport of building and supporting solid growth and it is evident he has the respect of key stakeholders.

With respect to the current uncertainty over the status of nominations we do urge Mr. Cookson to focus his efforts on winning a clear mandate from the UCI Congress by delivering a compelling platform and vision instead of engaging in legal or procedural battles.

“We have listened to Canadians” said John Tolkamp, Board President. “We have heard their voices calling for change and we at Cycling Canada strongly share this sentiment and are willing to publicly endorse Brian Cookson in an effort to effect change. Regardless of the current conditions surrounding the election in September, we also feel it is important that there is a democratic, fair and binding vote at Congress. We are confident that cycling has a bright future.”

Sincerely,

John Tolkamp

President

Cycling CANADA Cyclisme

Kevin Baldwin – Director

David Cathcart – Director

Bill Kinash – Director

Stephane Le Beau – Director

Hannah Parish – Director

Mike Sarnecki – Director

Erinne Willock – Director

September 4, 2013/by Communications

Cycling Canada donates $14000 to Lac Mégantic

Cycling Canada donated $14000 to the community of Lac Mégantic on Sunday, after a fundraiser following the devastating tragedy in July.

Cycling Canada wants to sincerely thank the entire cycling community for its generosity.

August 20, 2013/by Communications

Cycling Canada is currently hiring at Track Cycling coach

Cycling Canada is currently hiring! Can you contribute to a leading-edge program?

Track, Sprint Coach | Job Description [Application Deadline: August 30, 2013]

The Track Sprint Coach will implement the technical direction that will lead to the building of a robust world class sprint program. With the support of the Track Integrated Services Team (IST), the Track Sprint Coach will establish an optimal daily training environment through the creation and implementation of world class training programs for identified track sprinters. The Track Sprint Coach will work closely with the Track Development Coach to establish talent identification and development strategies to increase the mass of international calibre athletes coming into the track program.

The Track Sprint Coach will be a key member of Cycling Canada’s high performance coaching team determined to achieve podium success at the World Championships and Olympic Games. [MORE]

August 19, 2013/by Communications

QUEBEC WINS CYCLING EVENTS FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE CANADA GAMES

Host province wins 18 of the 36 medals available in cycling, including eight gold medals

(Sherbrooke, QC – August 17, 2013) The Canada Game ended on Saturday, and the host province of Quebec came out on top of the provincial standings in the cycling events, followed closely by Ontario.

A total of 36 medals were available throughout the Canada Games in cycling events. Quebec topped the medal tally with 18 (8-6-4), followed by Ontario with 11 medals (4-4-3).

Quebec started the Canada Games with force in the mountain bike events, taking eighth medals (5-1-2), including an impressive triple-crown from Léandre Bouchard. Team Ontario was the closest in the Mountain Bike events with five medals (1-3-1), while Manitoba (0-1-1) and British Columbia (0-0-2) each took home two medals, and Nova Scotia one medal (0-1-0)

The momentum continued for Quebec in the road cycling events, and the powerful Quebec squad took was brilliant in the road races, taking five of the six available medals on that day, including a podium sweep in the women’s race. Quebec would end up winning a total of 10 medals (3-5-2) in the road events to clearly emerge as the top province for cycling. Team Ontario followed in second place, with six medals (3-1-2) highlighted by a stellar day in the time trials with four medals, including the two gold medals. Alberta (0-0-1) and British Columbia (0-0-1) each took a bronze medal in the road events.

“We were excellent both on the trails and on the roads of Sherbrooke. Our cycling teams here, both mountain bike and road, performed on-demand in front of their home fans, and we couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments in representing their province. We came to the Canada Games with the mission to continue our streak of flag victories, and we met our main objective,” said Pascal Choquette, head coach of the Quebec road cycling team, who was an athlete in road cycling when Quebec began its streak. “More than sports, these Games will remain a very positive experience for these young athletes, precious life moments that will be remembered for many more decades.”

Throughout the six days of competition at the Canada Games, many memorable moments will remain engraved in the minds of cycling enthusiasts, notably a triple-crown by Léandre Bouchard in mountain bike, a double-gold day for Ontario in the Time trials, and a podium sweep for Quebec in the women’s road race.

Mathieu Boucher, Director of Performance Development at Cycling Canada in charge of the Canada Games files, was thrilled with the outcome of the event. “We congratulate all provinces and every cycling athletes who participated at these Canada Games. Their accomplishments – whether to win a medal or to meet their personal objectives – will forever be cherished. The Canada Games are for most of these athletes a great opportunity to be introduced to a multi-sport environment, learnings that can easily be transferred as they grow within the international sport system.”

Follow Cycling Canada on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cyclingcanada and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cyclingcanada.

PROVINCIAL STANDINGS – CANADA GAMES – SHERBROOKE, QC

Men

Quebec (1,300)
Ontario (1,202)
British Columbia (1,101)
Nova Scotia (1,090)
New Brunswick (1,007)
Manitoba (997)
Alberta (996)
Saskatchewan (837)
Newfoundland and Labrador (812)
Yukon (489)
Prince Edward Island (323)
Northwest Territories (0)
Nunavut (0)

Women

Quebec (1,316)
Ontario (1,259)
British Columbia (1,089)
Manitoba (1,042)
Alberta (998)
Saskatchewan (749)
Nova Scotia (742)
New Brunswick (391)
Yukon (341)
Prince Edward Island (0)
Newfoundland and Labrador (0)
Northwest Territories (0)
Nunavut (0)

PODIUM RECAP – ALL EVENTS

Road cycling – Road Race, Men

1. Pierrick Naud (QC)

2. Matteo Alexander Dal-Cin (ON)

3. James Piccoli (QC)

Road cycling – Road Race, Women

1. Alizée Brien (QC)

2. Adriane Provost (QC)

3. Elisabeth Albert (QC)

Road cycling – Individual time trial, Men

1. Matteo Alexander Dal-Cin (ON)

2. James Piccoli (QC)

3. Jordan Harris Cheyne (ON)

Road cycling – Individual time trial, Women

1. Annie Foreman-Mackey (ON)

2. Alizée Brien (QC)

3. Saskia Charlotte Kowalchuk (ON)

Road cycling – Points Criterium, Men

1. Pierrick Naud (QC)

2. Elliott Doyle (QC)

3. Kris Dahl (AB)

Road cycling – Points Criterium, Women

1. Annie Foreman-Mackey (ON)

2. Adriane Provost (QC)

3. Tessa Pinckston (BC)

Mountain bike – Cross-Country, Men

1. Léandre Bouchard (QC)

2. Antoine Caron (QC)

3. Mitchell Bailey (ON)

Mountain bike – Cross-Country, Women

1. Frédérique Trudel (QC)

2. Laura Bietola (ON)

3. Karlee Gendron (MB)

Mountain bike – Sprint, Men

1. Léandre Bouchard (QC)

2. Andrew L’Esperance (NS)

3. Quinn Moberg (BC)

Mountain bike – Sprint, Women

1. Andréane Lanthier-Nadeau (QC)

2. Laura Bietola (ON)

3. Laurence Harvey (QC)

Mountain bike – Team Relay, Men

1. Team Quebec (QC)

2. Team Ontario (ON)

3. Team British Columbia (BC)

Mountain bike – Team Relay, Women

1. Team Ontario (ON)

2. Team Manitoba (MB)

3. Team Quebec (QC)

August 17, 2013/by Communications

5 CYCLISTS NOMINATED FOR CIBC TEAM NEXT FUNDING

Cycling Canada is putting forward five names for the CIBC Team Next program.

These athletes were chosen from among more than 50 who submitted applications by the Aug. 1 deadline. Cycling Canada’s High Performance Committee reviewed all the applications and nominated one athlete per cycling discipline to put forward:

Para-cycling: Louis-Albert CORRIVEAU-JOLIN
Road : Gabrielle PILOTE-FORTIN
Track : Candice VERMEULEN
MTB : Derek ZANDSTRA
BMX : Corey WALSH

These athletes will have until Sept. 6 to complete an online nomination process and vie to be among the 67 athletes who will receive support. Later in the fall, AthletesCAN and CIBC will announce the final list of athletes who will be receiving support.

CIBC is investing $2 million into helping these young athletes realize their dreams of representing Canada on the world stage. The 67 selected athletes will each receive a $5,000 annual grant for the next 3 years ($15,000 total) in addition to receiving mentorship from top prominent athletes, workshop and advice on personal finance and community support.

August 14, 2013/by Krisw

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW ATHLETES COUNCIL

Through an internal election where Cycling Canada’s present National Team listed athletes were asked to vote for athletes council members the following athletes have been elected to sit in as athletes council members up to the 2014 Cycling Canada Annual General Meeting.

Para-cycling:

Matthieu PARENT (re-elected)
Robbi WELDON

Road:

Leah KIRCHMANN
Vacant

Track:

Stephanie ROORDA
Joachim ALBERT

MTB:

Amanda SIN (Re-elected)
Geoff KABUSH (Re-elected)

BMX:

Amelia WALSH
Mischa PARTRIDGE

The mandate of the newly appointed members of the athlete’s council is to promote the views and interests to Cycling Canada on all issues which directly or indirectly affect national team athletes, high performance athletes and/or any national caliber athlete.

In the coming weeks the new council will elect their chair and co-chair who will respectively represent athletes interests at the Cycling Canada board of directors level and the High Performance Committee levels.

Any athlete wishing to raise concerns, comments or suggestions can do so by merely emailing the council (athletescouncil@cyclingcanada.ca).

August 13, 2013/by Krisw

CYCLING CANADA TO HOST INFORMATION SESSIONS AT CANADIAN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Community gets face-to-face meetings and have the opportunity to ask questions

(Barrie, ON – July 16, 2013) On Friday, July 19, Cycling Canada will be hosting three Information Sessions for athletes, coaches and parents alike as part of the 2013 Canadian Mountain Bike Cross Country Championships, held in Barrie, Ontario.

The three information sessions are hosted better inform athletes, coaches and parents on the mountain bike developmental system.

3:00 pm: Canadian Mountain Bike Team Information Session
4:00 pm: Coaching Information Seminar – Gold Medal Profile
5:00-5:30 pm: Race Manager’s Meeting
6:00 pm: Parent Information Seminar: Best Practices in Athlete Development

The sessions will be held at the Main Lodge of the Hardwood Ski and Bike resort (402 Old Barrie Road, Oro, ON, L0L 2E0), where the Canadian Championships are taking place.

Follow Cycling Canada on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cyclingcanada and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/canadiancycling.

The 2013 Canadian Cross-Country Mountain Bike Championships is Canada’s top domestic cross-country mountain bike event. The event annually attracts some of the country’s best mountain bikers challenging for the Red and White Jersey awarded to the Canadian Champions. Organized by the Pulse Racing Club at the Hardwood Ski and Bike Resort near Barrie, ON, the event is governed by the Cycling Canada, a member of the International Cycling Union (UCI).

The 2013 Canadian Cross-Country Mountain Bike Championships is made possible thanks to the close collaboration between the Cycling Canada, the Ontario Cycling Association, and the Pulse Racing club. The event will be held from July 17^th to 21^th and showcases racing in junior and elite categories.

July 16, 2013/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA DRIVES FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR THE LAC MÉGANTIC TRAGEDY

$3,000 have been raised to date, fundraising continues

(Ottawa, ON – July 09, 2013) Just two weeks ago, Cycling Canada held its Canadian Road Championships for the Junior, Masters and Para-cycling categories in Lac Mégantic, days before the tragic incident that devastated the small town in the Eastern Townships of Québec.

Today, Cycling Canada is driving a fundraising initiative to help raise money for the town and its rebuilding.

The team at Cycling Canada extends its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the community of Lac Megantic. In response to the crisis, Cycling Canada has put a Disaster Relief fund in place to contribute to the rebuilding of the downtown center that has played host to our Canadian Road Championships for the last two years.

“Cycling Canada will match the first $5,000 in donation from the cycling community. As of today, $ 3,000 have been raised by the cycling community, and we are continuing our plea to continue the donation drive,” said Greg Mathieu, Chief Executive Officer of Cycling Canada.

The region of Lac Mégantic has always been very friendly to bike races in the past, hosting many events such as the Canadian Road Championships.

Donations can be made at https://cyclingcanada.ca/sport/cycling/news/tragedy-in-lac-megantic/

Follow Cycling Canada on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cyclingcanada and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cyclingcanada .

July 9, 2013/by Communications

Tragedy in Lac Megantic

CYCLING CANADA SADDENED TO LEARN OF TRAGEDY IN LAC MEGANTIC

On Saturday July 6th, at approximately 1AM, a train loaded with at least 72 cars of crude oil derailed in Lac Megantic. The derailment has leveled at least 60% of the downtown core. When contacted by phone Denis Bolduc, race organizer and downtown store owner, mentioned that as a result of the train derailment, buildings on the north side of route 161 which goes through the downtown core of Lac Megantic (the top of the technical Criterium course) are reported to have been demolished, while shops on the south side have thankfully been spared.

The team at Cycling Canada extends heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the community of Lac Megantic. In response to the crisis, Cycling Canada has put a Disaster Relief fund in place to contribute to the rebuilding of the downtown center that has played host to our Canadian Road Championships for the last few years. We now call upon the Canadian cycling community to join us in supporting our friends in this community

Cycling Canada will match the first 5 000$ in donations. Please help us in our quest to rebuild the 6000 inhabitant strong town that has embraced cyclists and cycling events since the inception of the renowned Tour de Beauce. Donate below! (Tax Receipts available for donations over $25 – upon request!)

July 6, 2013/by Communications

CRANKWORX WHISTLER ADDS TWO CANADA CUP EVENTS IN 2013

Tenth Anniversary Crankworx Whistler Will Host Canada Cup Downhill and Cross Country Finals August 14 And 18

WHISTLER, BC – July 2, 2013 – Crankworx Whistler has added Canada Cup Finals for cross country and downhill to take place during its tenth anniversary August 9-18, 2013. The Canada Cup Cross Country Finals will be held on Wednesday, August 14, as part of the new Canadian Open XC event, while the Canada Cup Open Downhill Finals will take place as part of the Canadian Open DH on August 18.

Crankworx is the world’s leading freeride mountain bike festival, showcasing gravity, slopestyle and enduro events, Fox Air DH; the SRAM Canadian Open Enduro, presented by Specialized; and the “Super Bowl of slopestyle”, Red Bull Joyride. Many of the finest World Cup downhill athletes travel to Whistler from around the world to compete in Crankworx events, including Canada’s own Steve Smith, who has two UCI World Cup downhill podiums so far this season. Smith is currently sitting in second place in the UCI world rankings for World Cup downhill.

“We are very pleased to work with Cycling BC and Crankworx Events Inc. for these two races,” says Mathieu Boucher, director of performance development at Cycling Canada. “Ultimately, our aim is that competing athletes will benefit from this partnership and we look forward to offering two great Canada Cup events in Whistler, British Columbia.”

“Our partnership with Cycling Canada and Cycling BC will allow riders to get an event license on a complimentary basis regardless of where they are from and be able to continue to compete at the ‘pro’ level”. We are looking forward to working with the Cycling Canada and Cycling BC at our tenth anniversary in Whistler this August” says Darren Kinnaird, general manager of Crankworx. ” We always have the athletes who compete in our events first in mind and it’s exciting to add an official ranking value to Canadian athletes competing in the Canadian Open DH, not to mention the Canadian Open XC.”

In addition to the Canada Cup races, Ian Hughes, development coach for Cycling Canada, will host a two-day development camp for young cross country riders in Western Canada.

ABOUT THECANADA CUP SERIES

The Canada Cup series is designed to provide competitive opportunities to the next generation of cyclists, transitioning from provincial race series to international competitions.

Hosted in partnership between Cycling Canada, its provincial sport organizations and local organizing committee, the Canada Cup Cycling Series is sanctioned by the International Cycling Union.

ABOUT CRANKWORX WHISTLER

August 9-18, 2013, the world’s best downhill, slopestyle and enduro riders will migrate to the Whistler Mountain Bike Park for the 10th Annual Crankworx Whistler. Crankworx Les 2 Alpes will take place July 6 – 14, 2013 and is the only Crankworx event to take place outside of North America. High-summer’s convergence of all things freeride, Crankworx is a 10-day festival of epic endurance, supreme flow, monster air and vertical-dropping riding. A time-tested stage for gravity-fed mountain biking, Crankworx has forged the future of freeride, launched careers and raised up a spectacle out of dirt, sweat and cheers. Feel the impact. Embrace the amplitude. Experience the awe that is Crankworx Whistler 2013.

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July 2, 2013/by Communications