CANADA’S TOP MOUNTAIN BIKE ATHLETES HEAD TO BAIE-SAINT-PAUL FOR THE CANADIAN XCO CHAMPIONSHIPS

Ottawa, ON (September 20, 2021) – Following the conclusion of the international mountain bike season in Snowshoe, USA, last weekend, the nation’s top athletes are heading to Baie- Saint-Paul from September 24-26 for the Canadian XCO Championships.

The cross-country championships for Cadet (Under-17), Junior (Under-19), Under-23 and Elite men and women will take place on Friday, September 24, while all Masters categories will compete for the maple leaf jersey on Sunday, September 26. On Saturday, the first-ever Short Track (XCC) Canadian titles will be awarded in the Elite men’s and women’s categories. The event schedule also includes two Quebec Cups, with the XCT races taking place on Saturday and the XCO races on Sunday.

“We are thrilled to return to Baie-Saint-Paul for the 2021 Canadian XCO Championships,” said Cycling Canada’s Events & Officials Manager, Jolène Dupuis. “Baie-Saint-Paul is no stranger to hosting the highest level of Canadian mountain bike racing, having played host to both Canada Cups and Canadian Championships in years past. The addition of Elite men’s and women’s Short Track Canadian champion titles is an exciting new development in the event program which speaks to the evolution of the sport in Canada both from an athlete and an event organization standpoint.”

Defending champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympian Peter Disera will be on site and looking to secure a fourth consecutive Elite title. He will face tough competitors in Rio Olympian Léandre Bouchard, Andrew L’Esperance, 2019 U23 Canadian champion Quinton Disera and U23 world cup medallist Carter Woods.

The women’s title will be up for grabs and should be a tough battle between current champion Emily Batty, former world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Catharine Pendrel, Tokyo 2020 Olympian Haley Smith and cyclo-cross star Jenn Jackson, among other strong contenders. The upgraded course will pose an added challenge to athletes, who will be tackling additional climbs and new technical sections.

Please note that due to Quebec’s rules around the vaccine passport, all participants will be required to show proof of vaccination on site. More information can be found here.