2021 MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WRAP UP WITH VICTORIES AND MILESTONES TO CELEBRATE
Val di Sole, Italy (August 30, 2021) – After six stunning days in Val di Sole, Italy, 55 Canadian cross-country and downhill riders have officially wrapped up the 2021 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships. The week proved successful for many riders, including first-year Junior downhiller Jackson Goldstone who won the world title, as well as Gracey Hemstreet who clinched bronze in the Junior women’s race, on top of 16 other top-20 finishes.
“Our downhill team had a very successful week here in Val di Sole said Team Manager Adam Walker and Coach Claire Boucher. “While the podiums and results are definitely a highlight, we are even more excited about the growth of this program and potential of our athletes and staff as a team. We genuinely feel that the future is bright for DH in Canada.”
The week also saw the introduction of the new Short Track event, with 7 Canadian men and women qualifying for the final round. Qualifiers included Laurie Arseneault (19th) and Quinton Disera (16th) who were Canada’s top finishers in the event. They were joined by Sandra Walter, Haley Smith, Peter Disera, Tyler Orschel and Marc-Andre Fortier in the final.
There was also plenty to celebrate on the Elite side with Catharine Pendrel riding in her 17th and final World Championships. Pendrel finished on a high note, placing 22nd to earn the best Elite result of the day. Her accolade comes off the heels of the Tokyo Olympic Games, where she raced into an impressive 18th place.
Shaking off some of the cobwebs after a pause on international racing, Mountain Bike National Head Coach, Dan Proulx, said athletes are getting back into the swing of things and is happy with the progress the Canadian team has made.
“We definitely have a renewed appreciation for the importance of racing regularly and reliably as part of building an athlete’s engine for optimal performance each year,” said Proulx. “We’re getting better every race, but we still have a way to go. I’m confident we’ll get there. We have a lot of ambitious and talented riders to work with who are eager to be successful at the highest level. We’re strengthening our programs to make sure they get there.”
Athletes will head to Switzerland next with their professional teams to continue international racing for the fifth world cup of the season. Full results can be found here.
