(Milton, ON – October 10, 2015) The newly established Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame now has permanent home at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario, and nine Canadian Cycling legends have their plaques permanently mounted on its walls.

Located in the main lobby of the Community entrance, every athlete entering the facility will be reminded of the cycling greats that paved the way for their future success. Above and beyond blazing the trails, these outstanding individuals inducted into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame will forever inspire a future generation of Olympic and World Championships medallists.

The first of three phase was launched Saturday, with two more phases remaining to its completion. A Display cabinet with Hall of Fame memorabilia will be installed next as Phase 2, while an engaging interactive electronic display will make its way for Phase 3, where citizens will be able to browse the successes of inductees through revolving information, videos, photos and biographies.

THE 2015 CLASS OF INDUCTEES

Steve Bauer is best known for his breakout performance at the 1984 Olympic Games, where he won Canada’s first ever men’s road race medal, finishing second in a memorable race. Following those Olympic Games, he turned professional and went on to win a bronze medal at the World Championships in 1984 and silver in 1988. Throughout his twelve-year professional career, Steve made eleven appearances at the Tour de France. He became the first Canadian to win a stage of Le Tour when he claimed the coveted yellow jersey at the end of the first stage of the 1988 edition.

In 1994, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (civil division) for having ‘paved the way for Canada’s coming generations of cycling enthusiasts.’ In 2005, Steve was inducted to the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sport Hall of Fame.

“I am delighted to be inducted with the inaugural class of exceptional individuals into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame. This class of champions has all contributed uncharted greatness to our beloved sport. It is especially touching for me to be inducted with Jocelyn Lovell, one of my greatest mentors when I was a young athlete.”

• Steve Bauer

Tanya Dubnicoff was the top female track cycling sprinter in the World in 1993 after winning the World Championships, becoming the first Canadian women to do so. Throughout an illustrious career, she represented Canada at three Olympic Games, three Pan-American Games and two Commonwealth Games. Her Pan American gold medal haul of four included two at the 1999 Games held in her hometown of Winnipeg. Dubnicoff was selected to lead Team Canada into the opening Ceremonies as the flag bearer for the event.

“I would like to congratulate all the other inductees into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame. What a fabulous assembly of cycling ambassadors. When I read the accomplishments of these individuals, I am truly humbled to be in their presence.”

• Tanya Dubnicoff

Curt Harnett represented Canada four times at the Olympic Games, bringing home three medals. In 1984, he won silver in the 1,000m time trial, along with a bronze in the 1992 and 1996 match sprint. He holds two World Championships silver medals, as well as five gold and three silver medals in World Cup competition. In addition, he enjoyed multi-medal winning success at other major Games, including two match sprint silver medals from the 1990 and 1994 Commonwealth Games. He also won a gold medal in the 1,000m time trial and bronze medal in the match sprint at the 1987 Pan American Games. He was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

“The inaugural ‘Class of 2015’ being inducted into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame contains trailblazers, trendsetters and advocates, whose efforts and sacrifices set the stage for me to pursue my own cycling dreams and ambitions. It is humbling to stand beside them to receive this honour. Congratulations to all my fellow inductees and thank you to Cycling Canada for this recognition.”

• Curt Harnett

Marc Lemay will be inducted in the Builder category for his years of exemplary service to the sport.  Domestically, Marc served as President of the Canadian Cycling Association from 1981 to 1992 and as a member of the Canadian Olympic Association Board of Directors from 1982 to 1996. Internationally, he led the Union Cycliste International (UCI) Mountain Bike Commission through its early growth period from 1990 to 2001 including the successful addition of men’s and women’s cross country to the Olympic program in 1996.

“It is a great honor to be among the first class of inductees into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame, and be there among athletes who have marked our sport.”

• Marc Lemay

Jocelyn Lovell first represented Canada at major Games in 1968 when he was selected as a teenager to the Olympic Team that competed in Mexico City in 1970, and was selected a total of three time to the Canadian Olympic Team. He won three medals at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, including gold in the 10-mile scratch race which made him the first Canadian in 32 years to win a cycling gold at those Games. He dominated the 1,000m time trial throughout the 1970s, winning gold at both the 1971 and 1975 Pan-American Games, and, in the process setting a record for the distance that would stand for 28 years.

“It is an honour indeed to be included in our first Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame. As I look at the list of accomplishments of all these individuals, wow, it’s all pretty major stuff. And now a sophisticated velodrome, a Hall of Fame, and a place where, finally, Canadian cycling can hang its hat. Fantastic.”

• Jocelyn Lovell

Lori-Ann Muenzer rose to prominence in 2004 at the Athens Olympic Games where she won the Match Sprint event in dramatic style. In addition, she won six World Championships medals (in Match Sprints, Flying and Standing events), silver and bronze medals at the 2002 Commonwealth Games where she set the Flying 200M record. In addition, she was a Pan American Champion in the Keirin and Match Sprint.  

She remains the only Cycling Olympic Gold medalist in Canadian history.

“Together as a cycling community we have encouraged, mentored and supported one another throughout our careers. It is an honour to be included in the first class of inductees to the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame.”

• Lori-Ann Muenzer

Torchy Peden was the most prominent Canadian cyclist in the highly competitive six-day race events that took place between 1929 and 1948. During that era, Torchy won 24 of the 48 races in which he entered. He teamed with various riders from around the world throughout his career, but his most memorable victories were the ones with his brother Doug, who also was a gifted athlete. He represented Canada in the 1928 Olympic Games.

Peden was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1955 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 1966.

“Torchy Peden would be very pleased and humbled by his inclusion in the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame. The sport was good to him and he was quite grateful.”

• Bill Peden on behalf of the Peden family

Gordon Singleton began his amateur cycling career in 1975. Singleton represented Canada in the 1976 Olympic Games on his home turf in Montreal, Canada, at only 19 years of age. In 1978 he participated in the Commonwealth Games held in Edmonton and returned home with a gold and bronze medal. In the years to come, Gord rose to international stardom, becoming the first cyclist ever to break and hold simultaneously world records in the 200 metres, 500 metres and 1000 metres. Singleton competed in six World Championships, winning one gold in 1982, when he became the first Canadian cyclist to win a World Championship title, and three silver medals.

Singleton holds 11 Canadian Championships titles. He received the Order of Canada 1986. He was named Niagara Falls Sports athlete of the century to celebrate the city’s centenary.

“This moment is a culmination of many great memories and many great efforts by some very special individuals. Looking forward, we are creating a lasting legacy to inspire our young people to accomplish even greater achievements. I’m incredibly humbled to be a spoke in the wheel.”

• Gordon Singleton C.M.

Alison Sydor started her career as a road racer, which culminated in winning Canada’s first-ever road medal by a Canadian woman in 1991. From there, Sydor transitioned to the sport of Mountain Biking where she was a medal contender at the World Championships and Olympic Games level from her first silver World Championships medal in 1992 to her final medal in 2004. In that period, the Edmonton native won ten World Championships medals (three gold, five silver and two bronze), notbaly the World Championships titles in 1994, 1995 and 1996. At the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, Sydor won a silver medal. In addition, Sydor won 17 World Cup races in her career, and for 13 consecutive years (1992-2004) never finished outside of the top-5 at the world championships.

In 1995 and 1996, Sydor was awarded the Velma Springstead Trophy as Canada’s top female athlete. In 2013, Sydor was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

“It’s great for everyone who appreciates the sport of cycling in Canada that we will now formally celebrate and recognize achievements. As a young athlete, I was always grateful to have examples of Canadians performing on the international stage to show me I did not ever need to limit my ambition and that Canadians could race with the best in the world and dream of winning at the highest level. I’m proud that I was able to become one of those top riders myself and a role model for the next generation. Now I am also very proud to be inducted into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame with a group that has inspired both myself and will continue to inspire our future young cyclists.”

• Alison Sydor