News – Page 15 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

NEW CANADIAN RECORD SET ON OPENING DAY OF MILTON TRACK WORLD CUP

Milton, ON (October 26, 2018) – Canada had a strong start in Round 2 of the Tissot UCI Track World Cup at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario, on Thursday. Both the women’s and men’s squads qualified for the next round of competition in the Team Pursuit, with the women finishing fifth and the men fourth, while setting a new Canadian record in their ride.

The Canadian women’s team of Ariane Bonhomme, Annie Foreman-Mackey, Kinley Gibson and Stephanie Roorda set a time of four minutes and 23.337 seconds for 4000 metres, 4.375 seconds behind Great Britain, the fastest qualifier and world record holders. Canada’s NextGen development team, racing as Pedal 2 the Medal, finished 12th.

“Overall, we’re pretty happy with our qualifying ride,” said Gibson. “We executed technically pretty well; historically, the first ride has been tough for us in execution. Today, everyone stepped up and did their job. The time was pretty much right what we were shooting for; we’re trying some new stuff this year and this was a bit of a trial, so we are happy with the time.”

In the men’s competition, the Canadian team of Michael Foley, Derek Gee, Adam Jamieson and Jay Lamoureux set the early fast time of three minutes and 56.931 seconds, over 1.5 seconds faster than the previous record, set by the same four riders last year at this World Cup. The Huub Wattbike Test Team of Great Britain set the fastest time, 0.303 seconds ahead of Canada. Canada’s NextGen development team, racing as Pedal 2 the Medal, finished 13th.

“It was really exciting,” said Foley. “We went out with an idea of a time, and this was at the lower end of the range. Everyone’s riding well right now, so hopefully the boys will attack it in the next ride. I think we knew we had it in us, and we were pretty confident but, it’s one thing to think you have it in you, and another to actually do it. Even though it’s only a couple of seconds, it’s a big jump for us.”

October 26, 2018/by Communications

OVER 40 NATIONS SET TO COMPETE AT THE TRACK CYCLING WORLD CUP IN MILTON

Milton, ON (October 24, 2018) – In less than two days, the Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup will return to the Mattamy National Cycling Centre, in Milton, Ontario for the second consecutive year. As the second event in the Olympic qualification period, the Milton World Cup will play host to over 300 athletes from 40 nations, a 50% increase from last year.

Mathieu Boucher, Head of Development and Operations at Cycling Canada, stated, “It’s pretty exciting for us to be the host of a Track World Cup for the second time in Milton. With more than 320 athletes from 40 nations, it will be one of the most competitive world cups on the calendar. We are looking forward to seeing how our athletes perform against the best in the world!”

Competition begins Thursday evening with the qualification rounds for the women’s and men’s Team Pursuit, which will be closed to the public. On Friday, six medal events will take place, including the Team Pursuit finals, Team Sprint finals for both women and men, plus the women’s and men’s Scratch Races.

On Saturday, there will be four medal events – the Sprint and Madison for the women, and Omnium and Keirin for the men. Competition concludes on Sunday with the men’s Madison and Sprint, and the women’s Omnium and Keirin.

Canada has sent a strong national squad of 13 athletes, and a development team – Medal 2 the Medal [P2M] – of nine riders. New Zealand, Great Britain, Australia and Germany will be among other powerhouses to watch out for during the three days of competition.

For information on detailed event schedules and tickets, please visit https://www.twcmilton.com/.

October 24, 2018/by Communications

GEE 8TH IN WORLD CUP OMNIUM

Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France (October 21, 2018) – Canada’s Derek Gee had a strong start to the track season on Saturday, finishing eighth in the Omnium at the first round of the Track World Cup in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France.

Gee was eighth in the first event, the Scratch Race, 15th in the Tempo Race and 15th in the Elimination Race, putting him 13th overall going into the final Points Race. In that race, he was one of the strongest riders in the field, finishing fourth in the race and taking two laps on the field, to move up to eighth overall with 100 points. Albert Torres Barcelo of Spain won overall with 174 points.

“It was a really great experience at my first World Cup Omnium,” said Gee. “I learned a lot of really valuable lessons for the future. I am ready to turn my attention towards the Team Pursuit for the upcoming home World Cup!”

Zach Bell was the team manager and coach for the project, and said, “It was a class field and Derek showed he more than has what it takes to be competitive in the most difficult moments. Small mistakes can be changed quickly. Derek has the engine, and even over the course of the day his racing instinct was improving. Cycling Canada is lucky to have someone with such a balanced skill set at such a young age, and he certainly announced himself as a real prospect in this event now and in the future in a way that can’t be ignored.”

October 21, 2018/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA PARTNERS WITH GEBIOMIZED

Ottawa, ON (October 19, 2018) – GebioMized has joined Cycling Canada’s family of performance partners with a commitment to provide biomechanical support and technologies to support Canada’s men’s track endurance program on the road to Tokyo 2020 and beyond.

Starting this year, a multidisciplinary team of specialists will be working with Cycling Canada’s team of experts to conduct a comprehensive analysis of stationary set ups, field aero testing and optimisation of contact points with the objective of improving athletes’ position and speed. For over ten years, gebioMized has been providing biomechanics solutions for cycling teams and individuals in road and track cycling and is the leading bike fit provider in the world.

“The staff from gebioMized are world leading experts in the bike fitting process, and provided us with a comprehensive bike fitting package,” said Jono Hailstone, Men’s Track Endurance Coach. “Using their proprietary pressure mapping technology, in conjunction with video-analysis and on-track aero testing, they were able to optimize the positions of everyone in the team, resulting in improved stability and speed. The process also allowed us to make objective decisions around equipment selection such as saddle choice, crank length, and helmet selection.”

“We are honoured to work with a talented roster of athletes who hope to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics,” said Lotte Brave, Biomechanic Specialist at gebioMized. “From the onset, we were aligned with Cycling Canada’s long term development approach so it was a natural collaboration for both parties. After meeting the team of athletes and the staff working behind the scenes, we are certain that the program is on the right track.”

A total of six athletes were tested as part of this initiative, including Vincent de Haître, member of the men’s team pursuit squad. De Haitre says, “Working with gebioMized was a great opportunity for me to make big improvements to my riding position and helped me understand the reasoning behind each change. Our improvements in aerodynamics and power transfer will help us reach our goal of higher speeds.”

For more information on gebioMized, visit https://gebiomized.de/en/.

October 19, 2018/by Communications

CANADA BRINGS 22 ATHLETES TO MILTON TRACK CYCLING WORLD CUP

Milton, ON (October 18, 2018) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the team that will represent Canada at Round 2 of the Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup, to take place at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario from October 26 – 28. This will be Milton’s second year hosting the event, and Cycling Canada is fielding a team of 13 athletes on Team Canada, as well as nine development riders on the UCI trade team, ‘Pedal 2 the Medal’.

“We’re proud to have the privilege of welcoming the world’s best track cyclists back to Canada for the second edition of the Milton World Cup,” said Kris Westwood, Head of Performance Operations at Cycling Canada. “With Olympic qualification underway, the level of competition at this year’s event is going to be even better than last year, and it is very important for our national team, as this will be the first chance for us to truly gauge our athletes’ progression against many of the athletes and teams we will be facing in Tokyo in 2020.”

Team Canada’s sprint squad of three riders is headed by Pan American champion Hugo Barrette, who will compete in the Men’s Sprint and Keirin events. On the women’s side, Commonwealth Games athletes Lauriane Genest and Amelia Walsh will both compete in the Sprint and Team Sprint, with Genest also racing in the Keirin. Joel Archambault will compete in the Sprint and Keirin on the PTM squad.

Team Canada’s women’s endurance squad consists of five athletes, led by Rio Olympic bronze medalist Allison Beveridge. Beveridge will compete in the Omnium, Madison and Scratch events, and is an alternate for the Team Pursuit. Steph Roorda will race in the Madison and the Team Pursuit, accompanied by Ariane Bonhomme, Annie Foreman-Mackey and Kinley Gibson. The PTM women’s Team Pursuit squad will consist of Miriam Brouwer, Devaney Collier, Laurie Jussaume and Katherine Maine.

“The Milton World Cup will be the second race of our Olympic Qualification period,” said Roorda. “Speaking for the team, we are all pretty excited to get things started. The Milton World Cup is an important race to start our season off with. While the main focus for us is later in the season at the World Championships, it is really important to us to have a good performance at home. When we can put it together well in front of the home crowd, that’s the best feeling in the world.”

The men’s endurance team for Team Canada will consist of Aidan Caves, Michael Foley, Adam Jamieson and Jay Lamoureux, plus alternate Derek Gee, who will represent Canada at the first round of the World Cup in France, on October 19-21. All riders will compete in the Team Pursuit, with Foley also racing in the Omnium. The PTM team will consist of Evan Burtnik, Vincent De Haitre, Chris Ernst and Tristan Guillemette.

Team Canada

Sprint
Lauriane Genest – Levis, QC [Sprint, Keirin, Team Sprint]
Amelia Walsh – Ayr, ON [Sprint, Team Sprint]
Hugo Barrette – Iles-de-la-Madeleine, QC [Sprint, Keirin]

Endurance Women
Allison Beveridge – Calgary, AB [Omnium, Madison, Scratch, Team Pursuit (alternate)]
Ariane Bonhomme – Gatineau, QC [Team Pursuit]
Annie Foreman-Mackey – Kingston, ON [Team Pursuit]
Kinley Gibson – Edmonton, AB [Team Pursuit]
Steph Roorda – Vancouver, BC [Madison, Team Pursuit, Omnium (alternate)]

Endurance Men
Aidan Caves – Vancouver, BC [Team Pursuit]
Michael Foley – Milton, ON [Omnium, Team Pursuit]
Derek Gee – Ottawa, ON [Team Pursuit (alternate)]
Adam Jamieson – Barrie, ON [Team Pursuit]
Jay Lamoureux – Victoria, BC [Team Pursuit]

PTM (Pedal 2 the Medal)

Sprint
Joel Archambault – Ste-Christine, QC [Sprint, Keirin]

Endurance Women
Miriam Brouwer – Burlington, ON [Team Pursuit]
Devaney Collier – Edmonton, AB [Team Pursuit, Scratch (alternate)]
Laurie Jussaume – Contrecoeur, QC [Team Pursuit]
Katherine Maine – Ottawa, ON [Team Pursuit]

Endurance Men
Evan Burtnik – Edmonton, AB [Team Pursuit, Scratch]
Vincent De Haitre – Cumberland, ON [Team Pursuit]
Chris Ernst – Kitchener, ON [Team Pursuit]
Tristan Guillemette – Trois-Rivieres, QC [Team Pursuit]

October 18, 2018/by Communications

DEREK GEE WINS 4 GOLD MEDALS AT TRACK NATIONALS

Milton, ON (October 2, 2018) – Over 150 athletes participated in the 2018 Canadian Track Championships for Elite and Masters on September 27-29 at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario.

“We are very pleased with the delivery of the 2018 Canadian Track Championships for our Elite and Masters category riders here in Milton,” said Jolene Dupuis, Events and Officials Coordinator at Cycling Canada. “We continue to see a growth in participation numbers for these Championships, with a total of 156 riders who joined us this year. This has added an increase of competition for the riders, which proved to have some great performances on the track! Although the schedule was quite full, we appreciate the work from our commissaires, volunteers and staff who continuously worked in ensuring a smooth execution of the event.”

The Elite women and men categories each contested for eight national titles in the sprint and endurance events. Derek Gee of Ottawa was the only competitor to sweep his events, winning all four gold medals in the Elite men’s endurance category – the Omnium, Individual Pursuit, Team Pursuit and Madison. Hugo Barrette of Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, won three Sprint titles in the men – 1000 metre time trial, Sprint and Team Sprint, while three women and one man each won two titles – Lauriane Genest of Levis, Quebec, in the 500 metre time trial and Team Sprint, Steph Roorda of Vancouver in the Omnium and Madison, Annie Foreman-Mackey of Kingston, Ontario, in the Individual Pursuit and Team Pursuit, and Michael Foley of Milton, Ontario, in the Team Pursuit and Madison.

Barrette, who won the 1000 metre time trial on the first day of competition, admitted to feeling the effects of his effort in later events: “I haven’t done the Kilo in seven years, so it was definitely hard! I woke up the next day really tired, but as the day went on, I felt faster and faster, and by the Sprint final I was full gas. It’s good to see that the younger generation are coming up, it’s motivating.”

Kelsey Mitchell, riding for the Juventus team out of Alberta, was a first time Elite champion, winning the Sprint. “It feels amazing; I was fourth in qualifying, so to win was a pretty good feeling. I knew Lauriane’s [Genest] top speed was a lot faster than mine, so I just brought the speed up gradually to tire her out, and it worked.”

“We had three really good days of competition at the Championships, and it is good to see that the participation numbers are up,” said Kris Westwood, Head of Performance Operations at Cycling Canada. “But it’s not just the quantity – the quality of competition has improved dramatically. It shows how our track program is raising the level in Canada. It’s been great to watch.”

October 2, 2018/by Communications

ELITE/MASTERS CANADIAN TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS RETURN TO MILTON ON THURSDAY

Milton, ON (September 25, 2018) – The 2018-2019 track season begins this weekend with the Canadian Track Championships for Elite and Masters athletes to be held at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario. The Championships are the most important event on the domestic track calendar, with national titles and maple jerseys awarded in eight events for women and men in the Elite category, and across multiple age categories for Masters women and men.

“We are thrilled to begin our Domestic Track Season with the 2018 edition of the Elite/Masters Canadian Championships,” said Mathieu Boucher, Head of Development and Operations at Cycling Canada. “With Canada’s top track athletes finalizing their preparation for the World Cup season, we’re expecting some fast times and close battles as they compete for the maple leaf jersey!”

Competition begins on Thursday, September 27th, with the Time Trial, Team Pursuit and Team Sprint events. On Friday, the Omnium and Sprint titles will be awarded, and the Championships will conclude on Saturday with the Individual Pursuit, Keirin and Madison events.

A total of 154 athletes are registered for the Championships, including multiple Olympic and world championship competitors. Olympic bronze medalist Allison Beveridge of Calgary, Alberta, Pan American champion Hugo Barrette of Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, and Commonwealth Games team members Lauriane Genest [Levis, Quebec] and Amelia Walsh [Ayr, Ontario] are just a few of the international caliber riders who will be racing in Milton.

Click here for more information about the Championships: https://bit.ly/2My1JxS

September 25, 2018/by Communications

CYCLING CANADA STREAMLINES MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE

Ottawa, ON (September 18, 2018) – Canada’s national cycling governing body has revamped its organizational structure to better service its athletes and members.

After a thorough review process Cycling Canada’s Board of Directors has approved a streamlining of the organization that will see the roles and responsibilities of the vacant CEO and CTO positions distributed among the existing senior management team, while bringing in a highly respected sport advisor to help set the stage for future success.

“The Board recognized that we have tremendous expertise and leadership capacity within our existing team,” said Cycling Canada President John Tolkamp. “We have great faith in this team to work together to deliver on our collective vision for the sport of cycling in Canada. As an organization we need to be more agile, transparent and responsive to the needs of our members and stakeholders. We believe flattening and re-organizing our leadership structure goes a long way toward achieving that.”

Marketing Director Matthew Jeffries, who was appointed Interim CEO after Pierre Lafontaine’s departure in May, will continue as Executive Director. Jeffries will work closely with the Board of Directors and the other senior executives in leading the organization while continuing to manage and oversee commercial affairs.

As Head of Development & Operations, Mathieu Boucher will remain responsible for events and domestic development programs while taking on additional leadership responsibilities alongside Jeffries related to business operations and stakeholder relations.

Brett Stewart will continue to manage the organization’s finances, human resources and day-to-day operations as Head of Finance and Administration.

After two years leading Cycling Canada’s road programs, Kevin Field moves into a new role as Head of Performance Strategy. Field will be responsible for overall strategic development for the organization, working closely with the management team to harmonize business and sport. Key areas of focus for Field will be sport-system architecture, performance pathways and alignment within Cycling Canada’s high performance programs.

Head of Performance Operations Kris Westwood will continue to manage the delivery of national team programs, including coaches, managers and other high performance staff.

The High Performance department will be strengthened by the addition of a High Performance Advisor in Peter Keen. Well-respected in the cycling world as both former elite performance director at British Cycling and former UK Sport performance director, Keen will provide support on a short-term contract basis, working as a consultant to help guide performance strategy and provide technical expertise. Keen will work closely with Kris Westwood and Kevin Field in conducting a high performance review that will help set Cycling Canada on the path for sustained success in the future.

September 18, 2018/by Communications

2018 EVENT OF THE YEAR FAN VOTING NOW OPEN

Ottawa, ON (September 11, 2018) – After a very successful season of racing across the country, Cycling Canada invites all cycling fans to vote online over the next few weeks to determine the 2018 Cycling Canada Events of the Year. Fan vote will count for 50% of the overall consideration for Road, Track, Mountain Bike, BMX, Para-cycling and Cyclo-cross events of the year.

2018 Event of the Year winners will be determined by an equal proportion of public voting (this survey) and evaluation of the review of the following criteria by relevant staff & committees:

Communication with Stakeholders
Event Promotion
Event Presentation & Execution
Organizing & Planning

Cycling Canada would like to thank all the organizers & volunteers who have contributed to the success of these events throughout the season. Great Canadian events contribute to international success and to the growth of the sport in Canada.

The survey will be live until September 30^that 11:59PM EST. Category winners will be announced at the 2018 Annual Congress, to be hosted in Ottawa from October 12^th to 14^th. Click here to access the survey.

September 11, 2018/by Communications

CANADA FINISHES PAN AM TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH 7 MEDALS

Aguascalientes, Mexico (September 3, 2018) – Team Canada added a silver and a bronze medal to their tally on Sunday, the final day of the Pan American Track Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico. In the women’s Keirin, Lauriane Genest won silver and Amelia Walsh bronze, to bring Canada’s five day medal total to seven – two gold, two silver and three bronze. The team also set four Canadian records during the event.

“Being behind the Colombian was perfect so I could try to surprise her,” said Genest, “but I hesitated for a split second on the last lap and I wasn’t able to get around her. This result gives me a lot of confidence – I was getting tired of fourth!”

In other results, Vince de Haitre was fourth in the men’s 1000 metre time trial, setting a new Canadian record of one minute and 0.193 seconds, and Maggie Coles-Lyster was fourth in the women’s Points Race. The other Canadian records were set in the women’s and men’s 200 metre time trial and the women’s 500 metre time trial.

“Our results here in Aguascalientes help set us up for the World Cup season,” said Kris Westwood, High Performance Director at Cycling Canada. “Hugo [Barrette] in particular really needed a strong kickoff to Olympic qualifying, and he delivered [two gold medals]. We also saw four new Canadian records, which shows our athletes are progressing, and it was great to give some of our development athletes a shot at this level. I really want to thank our staff for stepping up in the wake of Stefan’s [Ritter] crash. He’s flying back to Edmonton on Tuesday and we’re hopeful he will recover quickly.”

September 3, 2018/by Communications