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COWAN 12TH IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP UNDER-23 TIME TRIAL

Doha, QATAR, Oct. 10, 2016 – Alec Cowan of Calgary, Alberta, was the top Canadian rider on the opening day of the Road World Championships in Doha, Qatar, finishing 12th in the Under-23 Men’s Time Trial, on Monday. Laurie Jussaume of Contrecoeur, QC, was the top Junior Woman for Canada, finishing 25th.

Riders faced temperatures in the high-30s and constant sun, on a technical, twisting course for the time trial. The circuit took riders around an artificial island called The Pearl, with the Junior women doing one lap of 13.7 kilometres and the Under-23 men two laps for 28.9 kilometres.

For both Jussaume and Erin Attwell of Victoria, BC, it was their first world championships. Attwell had a strong start, sitting 25th at the first split, but faded towards the end to finish 27th. Jussaume had a slower start and was 28th at the halfway mark, but recorded the 22nd fastest time for the second half of the race to finish 25th. Karlijn Swinkels of the Netherlands won the world title.

“I was hoping for a top-15 today,” admitted Attwell. “That didn’t happen and I think the weather played a big role. The course was pretty technical and I did my best to pick the best lines. I’m happy with how I rode and did to the best of my ability. I just didn’t have the legs today for a top-15.”

In the Under-23 men’s race Canada also had two entrants; Cowan and Sean MacKinnon of Hamilton, ON. MacKinnon rode a consistent race and was 19th after the first lap, improving to 16th by the finish. Cowan had a slower build-up in his ride; 34th at the first split, 22nd by the end of the first lap and continuing to improve through the second lap, to finish 12th. The surprise champion was Marco Mathis of Germany, who was only the second rider to start and held the lead through the entire field.

“This was definitely the hottest race I’ve ever done!” commented Cowan after his ride. “The time trial probably took about three years off my life … but, seriously, I’m really happy with my result.”

The Road World Championships continue until Sunday, with the Junior Men and Elite Women time trials taking place on Tuesday.

October 10, 2016/by Communications

CANADIANS OPEN ROAD WORLDS WITH 3 MEDALS

Doha, QATAR, Oct. 9, 2016 – Canada got off to a strong start at the Road world Championships on Sunday in Doha, Qatar, when three Canadian riders were members of Team Time Trial squads that won medals, including Karol-Ann Canuel (Amos, QC) on the gold medal women’s team. The Team Time Trial competition is for the top women’s and men’s trade teams.

In the women’s 40 kilometre race, Canuel was one of six riders on the Boels Dolmans squad that took the title with a time of 48 minutes and 41.62 seconds. The team moved up from silver a year earlier. Joelle Numainville (Laval, QC) was a member of the bronze medal winning Cervelo Bigla team, that finished one minute and 56.47 back. Two other Canadians were on the Twenty16-Ridebiker team that finished fifth – Alison Jackson (Vermilion, AB) and Annie Foreman-Mackey (Kingston, ON).

In the men’s 40 kilometre competition, Svein Tuft of Langley, BC, was a member of the Orica-BikeExchange team that finished third, 37.12 seconds behind the winning team of Etiix-Quick Step, who won with a time of 42 minutes and 32.39 seconds. Two other Canadians rode in the men’s competition, with Hugo Houle (St-Perpetue, QC) on the AG2R La Mondiale team that was 11th and Guillaume Boivin (Montreal, QC) on the Cycling Academy team that was 12th.

The Road World Championships for national teams begins on Monday, and continues through until next Sunday.

October 9, 2016/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES ELITE & U23 TEAM FOR ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

OTTAWA, Sept. 20, 2016. – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the team of 17 athletes that will represent Canada at the 2016 UCI Road Cycling World Championships in the Elite Women, Under 23 Men and Elite Men categories. The Championships will take place in Doha, Qatar, between October 9th and 16th. The Junior Women and Men selections were previously announced.

Those riders not participating in the Team Time Trial event that opens the world championships on October 9th will attend a training camp in Israel, beginning September 25th. The opportunity to hold the training camp and take advantage of all quota spots available to Canada was made possible by the financial contributions of the Bridge the Gap fund and Sylvan Adams, a former Montreal businessman now living in Tel Aviv, who also backs the Cycling Academy Team, an Israeli-based Professional Continental team.

“The training camp in Israel has been designed to simulate the terrain, wind conditions, and hot temperatures the riders will face at the World championships in Doha, Qatar,” said Sylvan Adams. “The Canadian men’s Elite, U23 and women’s national teams will train with their Israeli counterparts, building new bonds of friendship and collaboration between the athletes, their National cycling bodies, the coaches and support staff, and ultimately on a higher level, the countries of my two nationalities, Canada and Israel. I look forward to further collaborations between the two programs in the future, including more training camps in Israel, which has fantastic terrain, weather, and people.”

The women’s squad includes national champion Annie Foreman-Mackey (Kingston, Ontario), Rio Olympians Leah Kirchmann (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Karol-Ann Canuel (Amos, Quebec) and European-based professional Joelle Numainville (Laval, Quebec). Completing the team are Alison Jackson (Vermilion, Alberta) and Sara Bergen (Coquitlam, BC). All six riders will compete in the road race, with Canuel also racing in the time trial.

The Elite men’s team of six riders is one of the largest ever sent to the road world championships by Canada. Three WorldTour riders will participate in the project; Rio Olympians Antoine Duchesne (Chicoutimi, Quebec) and Hugo Houle (Ste-Perpetue, Quebec), plus Ryan Anderson (Spruce Grove, Alberta). They will be joined by Canadian time trial champion Ryan Roth (Guelph, Ontario), Guillaume Boivin (Montreal, Quebec) and Adam de Vos (Victoria, BC). All six riders will compete in the road race, with Roth and Houle also racing in the time trial.

The Under 23 men’s squad of five riders is the largest contingent that Canada has qualified for this category. Led by three time U23 national champion Benjamin Perry (St Catharines, Ontario), the team also includes Alec Cowan (Calgary, Alberta), David Drouin (St-Prosper, Quebec), Sean MacKinnon (Hamilton, Ontario) and Nicolas Masbourian (Montreal, Quebec). All five riders will compete in the road race, with Cowan and MacKinnon also racing in the time trial.

“First it’s so important to say thanks to Sylvan,” stated Kevin Field, Directeur Sportif for the men’s program. “Without his incredible support this year’s Worlds project would never be happening. For me, this year is another confirmation that our improved relationships with road athletes, teams and extended stakeholders is working. We’re taking very targeted approaches to road, with a focus on qualification and team-based race execution.”

“Last year we were able to carry that through successfully with great team performances in both men’s races. Adam’s [de Vos] ninth place [2015 Road World Championships] was a big success for our U23 men. My hope is that we keep that trend rolling in Doha. I think our camp in Israel is perfect prep to keep our riders race sharp, with the long gap between Montreal [WorldTour race] and Doha. We have really solid options with our U23 men – we’ve shown surprising consistency and results over the past 6 years. I’m optimistic for our elite men, however, that game is a going to be a bit tougher.”

U23 Men
Alec COWAN, Calgary AB (TT, RR)
David DROUIN, St-Prosper QC (RR)
Sean MACKINNON, Hamilton ON (TT, RR)
Nicolas MASBOURIAN, Montreal QC (RR)
Benjamin PERRY, St. Catharines ON (RR)

Elite Women
Sara BERGEN, Coquitlam BC (RR)
Karol-Ann CANUEL, Amos QC (TT, RR)
Annie FOREMAN-MACKEY, Kingston ON (RR)
Alison JACKSON, Vermilion AB (RR)
Leah KIRCHMANN, Winnipeg MB (RR)
Joelle NUMAINVILLE, Laval QC (RR)

Elite Men
Ryan ANDERSON, Spruce Grove AB (RR)
Guillaume BOIVIN, Montreal QC (RR)
Adam DE VOS, Victoria BC (RR)
Antoine DUCHESNE, Chicoutimi QC (RR)
Hugo HOULE, St-Perpetue QC (TT, RR)
Ryan ROTH, Guelph ON (TT, RR)

September 20, 2016/by Communications

CANADA SENDS FULL JUNIOR SQUAD OF 8 RIDERS TO ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the team selection of Junior Women and Men for the 2016 Road Cycling World Championships, to be held in Doha, Qatar, on October 9-16. Eight riders have been selected – 4 women and 4 men – from across Canada, representing five provinces. All eight will compete in the Road Race, with two women and two men also racing in the Time Trial.

The Hamilton Foundation, a legacy of the 2003 Road World Championships that were held in Hamilton, Ontario, is once again providing financial support to assist the riders and their families with the expenses of attending the world championships, with up to $40,000 in funding.

Linda Jackson, Chair of the Hamilton Foundation Board and former Olympian, stated: “The biggest barrier for Junior athletes is the lack of funding they need to help them pursue their dreams of becoming top international, elite-level athletes. The development process in cycling can be several years and requires significant resources. The Hamilton Road Foundation is pleased to provide financial support to these selected athletes as they prepare to compete at the World Championships in Doha in October. On behalf of the Foundation Board, I would like to wish all of these athletes a successful event and we hope that this assistance helps them along their path to success.”

The women’s squad is led by national road champion Erin Attwell of Victoria, who will compete in both events. Also racing in both the road race and time trial will be Laurie Jussaume of Contrecoeur, Quebec. For the road race they will be joined by Devaney Collier of Edmonton and Maggie Coles-Lyster of Maple Ridge, BC.

On the men’s side, Matthew Staples of Ore-Medonte, Ontario, and Nickolas Zukowsky of Dundas, Ontario, will compete in both events. They will be joined by national road champion Thierry Kirouac-Marcassa of Boucherville, Quebec, and Charles-Étienne Chrétien of Amos, Quebec, for the road race.

The Junior women will go to Belgium on September 21st for a preparation camp, and from there fly directly to Qatar. The Junior men have just returned from three weeks of racing in Belgium, following the Tour de l’Abitibi stage race, and will prepare for the world championships in Canada with their own individual programs. The complete Junior team will arrive in Qatar on October 7th.

Junior Women
Erin Attwell, Victoria BC (RR & TT)
Laurie Jussaume, Contrecoeur QC (RR & TT)
Devaney Collier, Edmonton AB (RR)
Maggie Coles-Lyster, Maple Ridge BC (RR)

Junior Men
Matthew Staples, Oro-Medonte ON (RR & TT)
Nickolas Zukowsky, Dundas ON (RR & TT)
Charles-Étienne Chrétien, Amos QC (RR)
Thierry Kirouac-Marcassa, Boucherville QC (RR)

September 19, 2016/by Communications

BEN PERRY WINS KOM TITLE AT GPC MONTREAL

(Ottawa, September 11, 2016)– Team Canada’s Ben Perry of St Catharines, Ontario, won the King of Mountain competition at Sunday’s WorldTour race in Montreal. Perry and Matteo Dal-Cin of Ottawa were in a breakaway that spent nearly 200 kilometres at the front of the race. Ryder Hesjedal (Trek Segafredo) was the top Canadian finisher, in 19th place. Olympic champion Greg van Avermaet (BMC) of Belgium won the 205.7 kilometre race by outsprinting world champion Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) of Slovakia.
Perry and Dal-Cin were members of a six rider breakaway that formed in the first few kilometres of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal. Perry went for KoM points over the top of the course climb on each designated lap to lock up the title. The break was finally caught with two laps remaining in the 17 lap event.
“It was a really long time off the front,” agreed Perry. “A guy from Bora-Argon 18 went and I followed him, and then Matteo caught us and eventually there were six of us. Kevin [Field] our director thought it was more realistic for us to play our cards in the long shot odds of a breakaway, and also go for the KoM. I was the first one to get a [KoM] point, after that Matteo rode like an absolute tank the whole day, keeping me safe, and he’s the reason we probably stayed away a lap longer than we would have otherwise, so it’s due to him that I made it. I haven’t done many races over 200K in my life and we were away for all but about 20 kilometres of the race. I’m happy that I proved I could do it and stay out so long on such a hilly race, for me that means a lot.”

September 11, 2016/by Communications

BOIVIN TOP CANADIAN IN QUEBEC WORLDTOUR RACE

(Quebec, QC – September 9, 2016) Team Canada’s Guillaume Boivin (Montreal, Quebec) was the top Canadian finisher on Friday at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec, taking 17th place in the field sprint, won by world champion Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) of Slovakia.

Boivin is in his first race back after three months of injury, suffering a broken shoulder in June before the National Road Championships, and then requiring 13 stitches to his knee following a training accident three weeks ago.

The 16 lap, 201.6 kilometre WorldTour race, saw a group of eight riders break away from the peloton on the first lap. Included in the group was Team Canada rider Nicolas Masbourian (Quebec City, Quebec). The group managed to carve out a lead of over five minutes before the top teams started to pull them back. The last members of the group, including Masbourian, were caught with just under three laps to go.

Sagan surged to the front in the final 50 metres to beat Olympic champion Greg van Avermaet (BMC) of Belgium and Anthony Roux (FDJ) of France. Boivin finished in a small group just five seconds back.

“This race is one of the hardest races in the season,” said Boivin. “I had a pretty good ten days of training [after his crash], and I thought I felt not too bad. But training and racing are different beasts, so it is hard to know how your form is. With four laps to go I was feeling pretty good, and just to be here was a bit of a miracle, so I’m definitely happy with the result. Hopefully I can build on that for world championships in mid-October.”

The teams will travel tomorrow morning to Montreal to take part in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on Sunday.

September 9, 2016/by Communications

THREE CANADIANS IN TOP-10 AT TOUR OF ALBERTA

(Edmonton, AB – September 5, 2016) The 2016 Tour of Alberta concluded on Labour Day Monday in Edmonton with a 124 kilometre circuit race through the downtown in front of thousands of fans.

Spain’s Francisco Mancebo won the stage in a breakaway, just in front of the peloton. Peter Disera (H&R Block) was the top Canadian finisher, in fourth place. American Robin Carpenter (Holowesko/Citadel) won the overall title, with Alex Cataford (Silber Pro Cycling) the top Canadian in fifth place, winning the Best Canadian jersey. Antoine Duchesne of Chicoutimi, Quebec, was the top rider for Team Canada, finishing 16th on the stage and eighth in the final standings. Silber also won the Best Team for the race.

A group of 13 riders broke away early in the race, gaining over two minutes on the field, led by Carpenter’s team. The break began to shed riders in the second half of the stage, and was down to Mancebo, Canada’s David Drouin (Silber) and Toms Skujins (Cannondale-Drapac)with four laps to go. The break was caught in the final lap, with the exception of Mancebo, who held on for the win.

“It was great to be able to hold onto the jersey,” said Cataford. “This is the biggest race for us in Canada, and to get the Best Canadian award is a great honour. I can’t thank my team mates enough for the whole week in the way they supported me. This year for the team has been incredible, and it has become a really good stepping stone for young Canadians wanting to race at the highest level in the sport.”

For Team Canada, the week saw Duchesne in the Best Canadian Jersey on the opening stage, plus Alexis Cartier finishing second on Stage 2, and finished sixth overall in the team standings.

Team Director Kevin Field explained, “I think the race went really well; we are really trying to work on blended projects, which is why we have top pros like Antoine Duchesne here and Hugo Houle at Tour de Beauce earlier in the season, and mixing them with the Under-23 program at Team RaceClean and other young riders on trade teams like Garneau-Quebecor, Silber and H&R Block. We used this race as an opportunity for those young guys to show themselves and ride at a higher level, and learn from riders like Tony [Duchesne], and I think we achieved that here. The team was animating the race, we were aggressive and trying to create opportunities for Tony, and I think when we debrief we will be very satisfied with this week.”

September 5, 2016/by Communications

HESJEDAL 4TH IN STAGE 4 OF TOUR OF ALBERTA

(Edmonton, AB – September 4, 2016) Ryder Hesjedal (Trek Segafredo) of Victoria was the top Canadian rider on Sunday at Stage 4 of the Tour of Alberta, finishing fourth in the individual time trial, held in Edmonton.

The 12.1-kilometre time trial took the riders along the North Saskatchewan River valley through the center of Edmonton, with a one kilometre climb in the last third of the race.

Bauke Mollema, a team mate of Hesjedal, won the stage with a time of 14 minutes and 44.12 seconds. Andzs Flaksis (Holowesko/Citadel) was second, nine seconds back, with Robin Carpenter (Holowesko/Citadel) third at 16 seconds. Hesjedal was a further three seconds in arrears.

Alex Cataford (Silber Pro Cycling) finished tenth and continues to hold the Best Canadian Jersey, sitting in fifth place overall, and 32 seconds behind race leader Carpenter. Cataford’s team mate Nigel Ellsay is seventh and Team Canada leader Antoine Duchesne is eighth.

“It wasn’t a time trial that suits my strengths,” said Cataford. “But time trials are still the strongest part of my riding, so I’m happy to hold onto the Jersey and even extend my lead. I was hoping to improve a bit more in terms of the overall standings, but I went out there and gave it everything I had on the day and I’m happy with my performance.”

The Tour of Alberta concludes on Monday with a 124-kilometre circuit race around downtown Edmonton.

September 4, 2016/by Communications

DAHL TOP CANADIAN ON STAGE 3 OF TOUR OF ALBERTA

(Drayton Valley, AB – September 3, 2016) Kris Dahl (Silber Pro Cycling) of Calgary, Alberta, was the top Canadian finisher on Stage 3 of the Tour of Alberta, on Saturday, finishing third in Drayton Valley after 181.2 kilometres of racing. Alex Cataford (Silber Pro Cycling) holds onto the Best Canadian jersey after finishing fifth on the stage and sixth overall, with Antoine Duchesne of Chicoutimi, Quebec, the top rider for Team Canada, in eighth place overall.

After single digit temperatures and rain on Stage 2, riders were rewarded with intermittent sun and slightly warmer temperatures on Saturday for the start in Olds. A breakaway of nine riders went clear 80 kilometres into the stage and stayed away until the race entered Drayton Valley for three finishing circuits.

After the break was caught, two American riders broke away in the final eight kilometres; Evan Huffman (Rally Cycling) and Robin Carpenter (Holowesko/Citadel). They stayed away to the finish, with Huffman winning and taking the overall leader’s jersey. Dahl chased but was unable to close the gap, finishing four seconds back.

“The finishing circuit was pretty technical with a lot corners,” explained Dahl, “so that was a factor. The last couple of laps there were a lot of attacks, and Huffman and Carpenter got up the road. I was really hoping that we would have enough steam to catch them at the end, but we just couldn’t quite get them. We rode it into the line as hard as we could and I just managed to have enough in the sprint for third.”

With two stages remaining, Cataford is 21 seconds out of the overall lead and Duchesne 25 seconds back. Sunday’s time trial in Edmonton will offer both riders a chance to move up the rankings, with Cataford a strong contender after finishing second in the national time trial championships.

September 3, 2016/by Communications

CARTIER SECOND ON STAGE 2 OF TOUR OF ALBERTA

(Olds, AB – September 2, 2016) Team Canada’s Alexis Cartier of Saint-Adèle, Quebec, took second place on Stage 2 of the Tour of Alberta, on Friday, after grueling day off the front in a breakaway.

Stage 2 took the peloton from Kananaskis to Olds on a 182 kilometre race amid stunning mountain backdrops. However, heavy winds, rain and bitterly cold single digit temperatures hammered the riders, especially in the second half of the race.

Cartier was a late addition to the national squad after his Garneau-Quebecor team mate, national champion Bruno Langlois, suffered a broken collarbone. He was a member of a three rider breakaway that went clear of the peloton before the halfway mark in the stage. The break dropped to just Cartier and American rider Tanner Putter (UnitedHealthcare) with 80 kilometres to go, and the pair just held off the field at the finish, with Putter outsprinting Cartier for the win.

Alex Cataford (Silber) moved ahead of Team Canada’s Antoine Duchesne into fifth in the overall standings and takes the Best Canadian jersey. Both Cataford and Duchesne are 15 seconds behind overall leader Colin Joyce (Axeon Hagens Berman) of the United States.

“It was pretty hard,” agreed Cartier, “but I was happy to be in the break because when it got really cold with the rain, at least we were pushing on the pedals to keep warm. It took a long time for the break to form, but Putter went on a solo move and I bridged across. We got caught at one point, but went again, and we knew if we got to the section before the finish with the tailwind, that it would be hard for the pack to catch us. Bruno gave his spot [on the team] to me, so I’m happy to make him proud.”

Stage 3 of the Tour of Alberta will take the peloton north from Rocky Mountain House to Drayton Valley.

September 2, 2016/by Communications