News – Page 22 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

CYCLING CANADA WELCOMES VITTORIA AS OFFICIAL TIRE SUPPLIER

(Ottawa, ON – June 8, 2016) Canada’s top cyclists will be rolling towards Rio on the world’s best tires and inner tubes thanks to a new partnership with Vittoria.

Vittoria has joined the growing family of Cycling Canada partners with a long-term commitment to provide its line of world class tires and inner tubes for National Cycling Team road and track programs.

Distributed in Canada by Outdoor Gear Canada, Vittoria is the world’s leading manufacturer of bicycle tires with annual production of more than 7 million tires. Its research & development center develops the best racing tires for all levels, especially the unique Corsa Series cotton tires.

Canada’s National Team will benefit from the new Graphene Thread technology with Open Corsa G+ clincher and the Corsa G+ tubular for road programs. The Track program will be using the Pista Evo CL and CS tubular, which are the fastest tires in the world according to independent tests.

“We are thrilled to have Vittoria on board as our official supplier of road and track tires,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director and Head Coach for Cycling Canada. “Vittoria has always been our first choice in tires as we know through testing that they are the best performing product on the market.”

ABOUT VITTORIA

Vittoria Industries Ltd. is an international group that acquired the famous premium cotton tubular tires producer Vittoria Spa in 1990. Vittoria has built highly reputable partnerships within in the cycling industry and created a distinct brand image. Today, Vittoria Industries is the world’s leading manufacturer of bicycle tires with an annual production of approximately 7 million tires and 900,000 high performance tubulars and cotton tires. Its research and development center develops the best racing tires at all levels. Vittoria’s worldwide commercial operations are shared among three distinct regions: Vittoria SpA is responsible for Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America (EMEA & LATAM). Vittoria Industries North America, Inc., is responsible for North America. Vittoria Asia Pacific is responsible for Asia-Pacific region. The group holding company, Vittoria Industries Ltd, carries out manufacturing and R&D at its fully owned Lion Tyres Thailand Ltd factory in Bangkok.

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CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES TEAM RACECLEAN SQUAD FOR GP SAGUENAY

(Ottawa, ON – June 6, 2016) Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the composition of Team RaceClean who will be racing at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay stage race, on June 9-12. Team RaceClean, consisting of members of the NextGen Men’s Track Endurance squad, is racing under the banner of Cycling Canada’s RaceClean anti-doping program.

This four stage race is an internationally sanctioned event centered around Chicoutimi and the Saguenay region, with 19 teams from six countries participating.

“We are excited to make our official Canadian debut at the GC Saguenay,” said Luc Arseneau, Team Manager and Road Development Coach. “We’ve enjoyed recent successes overseas, but we are still a very young team. It’ll be another step in the right direction.”

TEAM RACECLEAN

  • Willem Boersma – Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
  • Evan Burtnik – Edmonton, Alberta
  • Aidan Caves – Vancouver, British Columbia
  • William Elliott – Barrie, Ontario
  • Adam Jamieson – Barrie, Ontario
  • Sean MacKinnon – Hamilton, Ontario
  • Edward Walsh – Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Directeur Sportif – Luc Arseneau
  • Mechanic – Patrick Gauthier
  • Soigneur – Virginie Gauthier

For more information on Team RaceClean: https://cyclingcanada.ca/sport/road/news/nextgen-mte-program-evolves-into-team-raceclean/

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CYCLING CANADA MOURNS PASSING OF JOCELYN LOVELL

(Ottawa, ON – June 4, 2016) On Friday, one of the giants of cycling in Canada passed away – Jocelyn Lovell. Cycling Canada joins the rest of the cycling world in mourning the passing of this icon, at age 65.

John Tolkamp, President of Cycling Canada, said, “On behalf of Cycling Canada, we would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of one of Canada’s greatest cyclists, Jocelyn Lovell. Throughout his career, that was cut short, he was a fierce competitor who enjoyed international acclaim for both his style and accomplishments.‎ Canada has lost one of our most formidable and respected cyclists.”

Jocelyn Lovell won more than 35 national titles, on road and track, at every distance. He represented Canada at three Olympic Games (1968, 1972 and 1976), and won six Commonwealth Games medals, include four golds, as well as a world championship silver medal (1978) and gold medals at two Pan Am Games (1971, 1975). Lovell set records that stood for decades, and inspired generations of Canadian stars, including Steve Bauer, Curt Harnett and Gordon Singleton. Last Fall, Jocelyn became a member of the inaugural induction to the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame.

Tragically, Jocelyn Lovell’s career was cut short when he was hit by a dump truck on August 4, 1983, while training near his home. The accident resulted spinal cord injuries and Lovell became a quadriplegic. For the rest of his life, Jocelyn became a tireless advocate for spinal cord research.

Former team mates on the national team have spoken to his skill, determination and sense of humour.

Gordon Singleton, the 1982 Keirin world champion, won a gold medal with Lovell at the 1978 Commonwealth Games, in Edmonton. “Jocelyn’s storied career had many moments of bright shining stars. His determination to win came from deep within his personality. Sometimes this driving force got him into a little trouble, LOL. Putting that aside, Jocelyn was one of the pioneers in Canadian cycling that paved the way internationally for people like myself, Steve Bauer and Curt Harnett. Jos was absolutely one of the best bike handlers I have ever seen. Today, I’m sad to hear of his passing yet humbled to have the memory of winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Tandem sprint riding as his partner.”

Steve Bauer, Olympic silver medalist and holder of the Tour de France Yellow Jersey for 14 days, rode with Lovell at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and many other events, and considers him a mentor, “It’s impossible to capture in a few sentences the great experiences I enjoyed as a young cyclist by Jocelyn’s side. I learned from JL as he went about his unique ways. We had a great connection and I am fortunate to have been close to Jos in that time. It was fun to be around JL but we knew when racing our bikes it was time to be serious.”

“Never idle, JL had a brilliant innovative mind and was superb athlete who knew how to perform. His bike handling skill and timely speed were abilities I tried to mimic. My memories are full of great moments Jos, a team mate, a friend. RIP, the suffering has come to an end.”

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HOULE & ANDERSON TO LEAD TEAM CANADA FOR TOUR DE BEAUCE

(Ottawa, ON – June 4, 2016) Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the team of riders who will race in Team Canada colours at the Tour de Beauce stage race, on June 15-19. Team Canada will be a unique collaboration across the Elite, NextGen and Para-cycling programs, offering the opportunity for younger riders to compete with some of Canada’s top professionals.

The team will race in a special edition Global Relay Team Canada jersey designed and produced by Louis Garneau, and Beauce will be one of the first opportunities for the team to unveil its new partnership with Lexus Canada, who will provide the team support vehicles.

Team manager Kevin Field stated, “I was fortunate to be the Director of the last team to win Beauce with a Canadian rider [2008, Svein Tuft]. That was one of the most satisfying and emotional moments in my career. It would be an honour to win again with a Canadian — in the special edition LG national team jersey. Beauce is such a historic and important race for Canadians riders and teams.”

The team will be led by European-based professionals Hugo Houle and Ryan Anderson. Houle, from Ste. Perpetue, QC, is the current Canadian national time trial champion, and races for the French WorldTeam squad AG2R La Mondiale. He finished second in the 2012 edition of Tour de Beauce. Houle just finished racing the Giro d’Italia, where he finished 72nd.

Ryan Anderson, who races for the French-based Professional Continental team Direct Energie, has been one of the most consistent Canadian performers on the Americas Continental circuit for the past three years, and was the top Canadian rider at the Tour of Alberta in 2013 and 2014. Ryan will be Team Canada’s top threat for sprint finishes.

Besides Houle and Anderson, the team will include members of the NextGen Men’s Track Endurance program and the RaceClean trade team, Alec Cowan (Calgary, AB) and William Elliott (Barrie, ON). Other first-time Beauce riders are Kyle Buckosky (Surrey, BC) and David Drouin (St. Prosper, QC), the first-ever rider from the Beauce region to participate in a national team project. The squad will be rounded out by Jean Michel Lachance (Quebec City, QC), who is a pilot in the tandem category of the Para-cycling program.

“We are bringing a very capable team, led by Hugo and Ryan,” said Field. “It’s a tremendous opportunity for our RaceClean riders and young riders to learn from our established pros, in tough racing situations. In the past the Beauce project has been a pivotal ‘proving’ ground for emerging talent like Tuft [2001] and Mike Woods [2012]. Most important for us, is the ensuring we help Canada score more points for our World Championship qualification.”

Tour de Beauce – June 15-19

  • Hugo Houle – Ste. Perpetue, QC
  • Ryan Anderson – West Vancouver, BC
  • Alec Cowan – Calgary, AB
  • William Elliot – Barrie, ON
  • David Drouin – St. Prosper, QC
  • Jean Michel Lachance – Quebec City, QC
  • Kyle Buckosky – Surrey, BC
  • Team Manager – Kevin Field
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WHITTEN & CANUEL LEAD STRONG CANADIAN PERFORMANCES AT CHRONO GATINEAU

(Gatineau, QC – June 4, 2016) Canadian riders had a strong day on Friday at the Chrono Gatineau time trial, in Gatineau, Quebec, finishing second and third, and taking six of the top ten spots. Tara Whitten, an Olympic bronze medalist at the 2012 Olympics, took silver, 11.21 seconds behind Amber Neben of the United States, a former world champion. Karol-Ann Canuel, the reigning Canadian champion, finished third, a further 0.99 seconds back.

“I am very pleased with the strong showing of the Canadian riders,” commented national women’s coach Denise Kelly, “as we had two on the podium and six in the top ten, which included a number of powerful U.S. contenders.”

The Chrono Gatineau is the only internationally sanctioned women’s time trial in Canada, and took the athletes on a 19.3 kilometre out-and-back course into the Gatineau Park, finishing in downtown Gatineau. Riders faced a long climb on the outward leg, with a fast descent to the finish line.

“This is actually my first race of the season,” explained Whitten. “Two months ago I broke a bone at the base of my skull and I’ve been in a neck brace until last Friday. I was continuing to train on a trainer wearing the neck brace and just hoping I could get back into form.”

“I’m happy with my ride,” said Canuel. “There were some sections that were hard for me, so I know what I have to work on for next time. But it was a nice course, and I’m happy with my ride.”

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CANADA FINISHES 2-3 AT GP GATINEAU

(Gatineau, QC – June 3, 2016) Canadian national champion Joëlle Numainville, racing with Team Québec, took second place in a sprint finish at the Gran Prix Cycliste Gatineau on Thursday, behind Australian Kimberley Wells. Leah Kirchmann, racing for Team Canada, was third.

The internationally sanctioned Gatineau race attracted teams and riders from around the world for the 104.4-kilometre road race through the Gatineau Park region.

The Canadian national team made numerous efforts through the race to reduce the number of contenders. However, riders from Wells’ team were able to chase down any breakaways, setting the stage for a sprint finish. On the final straightaway, Wells went to the front, and neither Numainville or Kirchmann were able to challenge her on the slight uphill sprint to the line.

“I had a really good race,” commented Numainville. “I felt I was in control during the whole race. I knew it was going be a long sprint, a drag race so I just played my card and was able to hold my power to the line. I’m really happy about it.”

“It was our goal during the race to have a hard race,” commented Kirchmann, one of five riders representing Canada, “we thought we would benefit from a hard race. We had a small group away at one point with four of our team in it. We really tried the get that break to stay away but is was brought back. We tried to make everyone work a little harder, but when we saw that it was going to stay together, then we changed our plan to set up for a sprint.”

Official Results: http://www.rsstiming.com/Resultats/2016Gatineau/2016GPGatineau-ResultatsOfficiels.pdf

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CANADA AWARDED 3 SPOTS FOR WOMEN’S OLYMPIC ROAD CYCLING EVENTS

(Ottawa, ON – June 2, 2016) The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has released the final nation quotas for the women’s road events at the Rio Olympic Games, and Cycling Canada is pleased to announce that Canada will receive three spots for the road race and two for the individual time trial.

“We are pleased to have our three female road quota spots confirmed for the Rio Games,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director at Cycling Canada. “Some of our top riders have been picking up some very important UCI points over the last two years in order to secure Canada with these three spots.”

For the road race, Canada is in the second tier of countries. Five received the maximum four spots (Australia, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and USA), with Canada in the next group of five countries that received three places. A total of 38 countries received spots, for a total of 67 riders.

In the time trial, Canada is one of seven countries that receives the maximum two starters, joining Australia, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and the USA. There are a total of 25 spots for the time trial.

Cycling Canada will announce the specific athlete selections on June 29th, at the Global Relay Canadian Road Championships. “Now that the quota spots have been confirmed, our job will be to work with our committees to nominate to the Canadian Olympic Committee the riders that we believe, based on evidence, can reach our performance objectives,” explained Landry.

The women’s road race will be held on August 7th in Fort Copacabana and the time trial on August 10th in Pontal-Barra.

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CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP LOCATIONS

Ottawa-Gatineau, Panorama, Canmore, Calgary, Sherbrooke and Milton to host Canadian Championship Events

(Ottawa, ON – June 2, 2016) Cycling Canada has announced the dates and host locations for its 2017 Canadian Championships series. Canada’s top cyclists across all cycling sports will be treated to top-notch venues and experienced organizers throughout the entire series.

Alongside the confirmation of the 2017 Canadian Championship host venues, Cycling Canada has announced a new multi-year partnership with Lexus Canada, which will see Lexus become the official presenting sponsor of all Canadian Road and Track Cycling Championships events. The partnership will present Lexus with unique and exclusive customer engagement opportunities at each of these major events.

The Global Relay Canadian Road Championships presented by Lexus will return to Ottawa (ON) and Gatineau (QC) from June 24-28, 2017. Organizers will build on their experience from 2016 as riders from across the country are welcomed to the National Capital Region during Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations. The 2017 Road Championships will showcase the para-cycling, junior and elite categories over five consecutive days of racing in both provinces.

Panorama Resort (BC) will provide the ultimate backdrop for downhillers looking to clinch the Canadian Championship title at the 2017 edition of the Canadian Downhill Mountain Bike Championships. The 2017 event, scheduled for July 15-16, will bring riders to one of Canada’s most iconic mountain villages, offering accommodation, restaurants and entertainment just minutes from the chairlift. With Panorama serving as a recent staple in the Canada Cup DH Series, riders should expect the same level of fast, technical courses they have come to expect for the big event.

Canmore (AB) will make a triumphant return to Canada’s National Mountain Bike calendar as host town of the 2017 & 2018 Canadian Mountain Bike Cross-Country Championships. The Championships will take place from July 22-23 at the iconic Canmore Nordic Centre in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Taking place just one week before the 2017 Canada Summer Games, this event will provide an excellent opportunity for some of the country’s best athletes to test their form before heading to Winnipeg.

BMXers will once again gather in Calgary (AB) for the 2017 edition of the Canadian BMX Championships. The event will take place from August 25-27 and will also serve as the Canada Cup BMX Series Finale. Building on the excitement of the 2016 Canadian Championships, this event promises to be one of Canada’s marquee BMX events for 2017, attracting the nation’s top athletes. The track in Calgary is located just minutes from the city’s vibrant downtown, abundant amenities, as well as the Calgary International Airport.

Sherbrooke (QC) will return as the host of the 2017 Canadian Cyclocross Championships. Hosted by the Club Cycliste de Sherbrooke, the 2017 event will take place in beautiful Jacques-Cartier Park in the heart of Sherbrooke. With many years of provincial race organizing experience under their belt, organizers promise to provide a circuit that will challenge the nation’s best in one of the province’s most vibrant cities.

Milton, Ontario’s Mattamy National Cycling Centre will once again play host to two exciting weekends of racing for the 2017 Canadian Track Cycling Championships presented by Lexus. Junior and U17 riders from across Canada will gather in Milton for an early-season Championship event scheduled for spring 2017 while Elite, Master, and Paracycling athletes will hit the boards in fall 2017. Having played host to a largely successful Pan American Games in 2015, the track cycling legacy venue will provide a world-class stage for athletes of all ages to showcase the best in Canadian track cycling.

The 2017 Canadian Championships for Road Masters and Marathon Mountain Bike will be announced at a later date.

 

SUMMARY OF 2017 CANADIAN CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS SERIES

2017 Global Relay Canadian Road Championships p/b Lexus

Ottawa, ON/Gatineau, QC

June 24-28, 2017

Organizers: Doug Corner & John Large

 

2017 Canadian Mountain Bike DHI Championships

Invermere/Panorama, BC

July 15-16, 2017

Organizer: Stephen Exley & Panorama Mountain Resort

 

2017 Canadian Mountain Bike XCO Championships

Canmore, AB

July 22-23, 2017

Organizer: Rundle Mountain Cycling Club

 

2017 Canadian BMX Championships

Calgary, AB

August 25-27, 2017

Organizer: Calgary BMX Racing Association

 

2017 Canadian Track Cycling Championships p/b Lexus

Milton, ON

Juniors: Spring 2017 (date TBD)

Elite, Masters & Para: Fall 2017 (date TBD)

Organizer: Cycling Canada

 

2017 Canadian Cyclocross Championships

Sherbrooke, QC

Date TBC

Organizer: Club Cycliste de Sherbrooke

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CYCLING CANADA ANNOUNCES SQUAD FOR GP GATINEAU AND CHRONO GATINEAU

(Ottawa, ON – May 27, 2016) Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the team that will represent Canada at the Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau women’s races on June 2nd and 3rd. A team of five women will ride in Team Canada colours for the internationally sanctioned UCI 1.1 road race on Thursday, June 2nd, while one rider will represent Canada in the UCI 1.1 Chrono Gatineau time trial on Friday, June 3rd.

The Grand Prix Cycliste Gatineau is the highest level internationally sanctioned road event for women in Eastern Canada, and will attract teams and competitors from more than a dozen nations.

For the 111.3 kilometre road race, Canada will be represented by some its top international professionals. The team will consist of Karol-Ann Canuel, Leah Kirchmann, Alison Jackson, Stephanie Roorda and Katherine Maine. Canuel is a member of the world champion team time trial squad, while Kirchmann is a former top-3 finisher at La Course, the women’s race at the Tour de France. Stephanie Roorda is a multi-time world championship medalist with the Canadian Track team.

Katherine Maine and Ariane Bonhomme will be Canada’s representatives in the Chrono Gatineau 19.3 kilometre individual time trial, with the other riders competing in their professional team colours.

“On top of having a national team entered in both the road race and time trial events in Gatineau, this will be the last opportunity that I’ll be able to assess how some of our top Canadians are tracking before riders are nominated to the women’s Olympic Road Team,” commented Denise Kelly, national women’s road coach. “While neither the time trial course nor the road course are similar to the Rio courses, the races will give us good indication of where our riders are at this point in the season and where some of our competition is sitting, in stand-alone, non-stage race events. These races provide a platform for Canadian riders to shine on home soil.”

GRAND PRIX CYCLISTE GATINEAU/CHRONO GATINEAU, JUNE 2-3

  • Ariane BONHOMME – Gatineau, QC [Time Trial]
  • Karol-Ann CANUEL – Amos, QC [Road Race]
  • Leah KIRCHMANN – Winnipeg, MB [Road Race]
  • Alison JACKSON – Vermilion, AB [Road Race]
  • Katherine MAINE – Ottawa, ON [Road Race/Time Trial]
  • Stephanie ROORDA – Calgary, AB [Road Race]
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CANADA PULLS OUT OF PAN AM ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR SECURITY REASONS

(Ottawa, ON – April 15, 2016) Cycling Canada has decided not to send a team to the Pan American Road Championships in San Cristobal, Venezuela, due to security risks. The event is scheduled to take place on May 18 to 22. USA Cycling has also decided not to participate in these Championships, due to security concerns.

The location of the event would necessitate flying into Cucuta, Colombia, and then travelling by ground transportation to San Cristobal. The Government of Canada has issued a regional advisory for that area over concerns of cross-border violence, kidnapping, smuggling and drug trafficking, with foreigners being specifically targeted. A state of emergency is in effect, with an increased military presence.

The non-attendance will have little impact on Olympic qualification. The quota for the men’s road and time trial events has already been announced by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

“On the women’s side,” according to the High-Performance Director, Jacques Landry, “not participating will have an impact — but not a huge one — if we continue performing on the world stage as we are now with riders such as Leah Kirchmann and Karol-Ann Canuel. As of March 27th we are still ranked ninth among nations, which would grant us three spots in the Road Race at the Games, and we are more than 500 points from falling past the 14th nation; which would give us only two Road Race spots.”

“The impact on World Championship quotas is more significant and could affect the ability to obtain maximum quota spots,” explained Landry. “As an example, there is 250 points up for grabs to win the men’s Road Race. With the new UCI points system, there is even more importance placed in racing and performing at Pan American Championships, as compared to UCI 2.2 category races in North America.”

“However,” continued Landry, “the security of our athletes and staff is paramount and, based on the information and advice we have received, we are not comfortable with sending anyone to these championships. Given this security and safety issue in Venezuela, we will be contacting the UCI to voice our concern and frustration around this event.”

For more information, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/venezuela).

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