News – Page 29 – Cycling Canada Cyclisme

CANADA CONCLUDES JUNIOR TRACK WORLDS WITH THIRD AND FOURTH MEDALS

(Aigle, SUI – July 24, 2016) Team Canada concluded the Junior Track Cycling World Championships on Sunday in Aigle, Switzerland, with two bronze medal performances to go with the gold and silver medals already achieved. This is Canada’s best ever performance at the Junior Track World Championships, including the first ever Junior world title.

Stefan Ritter of Edmonton, Alberta, took bronze in the Men’s Sprint, his second medal after winning the world title in the 1000 metre time trial. Ritter raced against Mateusz Milek of Poland in the bronze medal competition, winning in two straight rides. Bradly Knipe of New Zealand beat Conor Rowley of Australia for the gold medal.

“On this track it’s very hard to come from the back,” explained Ritter, “so I went from the front. It was hard because it’s at the end of the Worlds and a lot of racing; I did seven sprints today. But it’s pretty amazing to come away with two medals.”

Added Ritter: “To win gold at a Worlds is simply amazing. Every cyclist dreams of pulling on the rainbow jersey and on Friday I got the pleasure of doing so! The fact that I’m Junior Kilo World Champion still hasn’t fully set in yet. It is truly a remarkable feeling. [In the Sprint] I knew I was one of the fastest in terms of raw speed, but I don’t have a lot of tactical experience at this level. For me to follow the Kilo win up with bronze in the sprint was huge.”

“To represent Canada is always an immense pleasure. Wearing the maple leaf is truly an honour and every time I pull on the Canadian jersey it is an incredibly special feeling. I would like to go to Tokyo in 2020. That’s the main goal, however there’s still a lot of work that needs to put in for it to become a reality.”

Maggie Coles-Lyster of Maple ridge, BC, took bronze in the Women’s Omnium, coming back from a crash midway through the final event, the Points Race. Coles-Lyster was the top scoring rider in the final event, moving to within four points of silver medalist Michaela Drummond by the finish. Elisa Balsamo of Italy took the gold medal.

“I was third going into the Points Race, but there were other riders right behind me, so it was pretty close,” said Coles-Lyster. “But I know there was a chance to move into the silver medal or possibly even the gold. So I took as many points as possible early in the race [winning three of the first four sprints]. Then I got caught in a crash in the middle of the race, but got back into the race and was able to get enough points to keep third. I’m really happy, because this was my first Worlds and I didn’t know what to expect.”

“Today has epitomized our performances here in Aigle,” said Ian Melvin, Team Canada Coach. “Our kids have had to work hard for all of their rewards, they showed a lot of fight and determination. I’m thrilled to see us come home with four medals but beyond that, we’ve set personal bests and national records almost across the board. We couldn’t ask for anymore from these riders; I’m incredibly proud of them all.”

“Hopefully this group has shown the rest of the world that we can compete with anybody out there; they’ve created a springboard for themselves and also for this Junior program. We have to keep working hard through the winter to ensure that the gaps we still have are addressed and that we continue to improve.”

The performances in Aigle this past week are a testament that we are on the right track with regards to our Junior programs,” stated Jacques Landry, Director of High Performance at Cycling Canada. “Our track programs are attracting more and more talent emerging from clubs and provinces across Canada. Once talent is identified through our national racing scene we are able to maximize that potential through specialization on the boards in Milton.”

“There is no secret to this success at these Junior Track Worlds. The performances are due to talent being identified and nurtured in clubs and provinces, to eventually be prepped for international success. Hats off to the athletes, and to the coaching and support staff, for these great Worlds!”

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Watch LIVE – Day 5 of UCI Junior Track World Championships

Watch LIVE Day 5 of the UCI Junior Track World Championships.

Competition Schedule: http://media.wix.com/ugd/9fde1e_935e8d0b4c074c7d9262dd2e9888609a.pdf

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Watch LIVE – Day 4 of UCI Junior Track World Championships

Watch LIVE Day 4 of the UCI Junior Track World Championships.

Competition Schedule: http://media.wix.com/ugd/9fde1e_935e8d0b4c074c7d9262dd2e9888609a.pdf

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CANADA WINS GOLD & SILVER AT JUNIOR TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Aigle, SUI – July 22, 2016) Canada won gold and silver medals on Friday at the Junior Track Cycling World Championships in Aigle, Switzerland. Stefan Ritter of Edmonton, Alberta, won the men’s 1000 metre time trial, while Devaney Collier of Edmonton, Alberta, took silver in the women’s Scratch Race.

Ritter, who had finished just out of the medals in fourth a day earlier in the Keirin, was the 21st competitor out of 36 starters and set a best time of one minute and 1.673 seconds, averaging 58.372 kilometres per hour. His time is a new Canadian record for Juniors, and only 0.297 seconds off of the world record. Bradley Knipe of New Zealand finished second and Junggyu Na of Korea third.

“This is pretty unbelievable,” said Ritter. “I knew I was going pretty good after all the training we did at the [training] camp, but I didn’t think I would be that fast.”

Added Ritter: “It was very nerve-wracking but to be honest, I felt pretty confident about my ride. There were a few close calls because there are some great riders out there. I haven’t done a lot of international racing so I don’t really know them. I knew I had the speed and I felt good but I didn’t think I was that fast. I still can’t believe it.”

In the women’s mass start Scratch Race, Rebecca Raybould of Great Britain attacked with 11 laps to go to take the gold medal. Collier began chasing alone with four laps remaining and crossed the finish line alone in second place, only a few metres behind Raybould, with Kristina Clonan of Australia winning the bunch sprint for bronze.

“It’s really cool, and maybe slightly unexpected,” said Collier, “but it just worked out really well. I think all the training really paid off. It [the World Championships] was number one on the list of goals this year. I was really happy just to get selected, and to get a good result was icing on the cake. I know Scratch Races can go any way, so I was planning to go as hard as I could and hope to get in a break.”

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Watch LIVE – Day 3 of 2016 UCI Junior Track World Championships

Watch LIVE Day 3 of UCI Junior Track World Championships.

Competition Schedule: http://media.wix.com/ugd/9fde1e_935e8d0b4c074c7d9262dd2e9888609a.pdf

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Watch LIVE – Day 2 of UCI Junior Track World Championships

Watch LIVE Day 2 of the UCI Junior Track World Championships.

Competition Schedule: http://media.wix.com/ugd/9fde1e_935e8d0b4c074c7d9262dd2e9888609a.pdf

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CANADIAN CYCLING TEAM NOMINATED FOR RIO 2016

19 cyclists chosen to represent Canada

(Aylmer, QC – June 29, 2016) On Wednesday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Cycling Canada named the 19 athletes nominated to represent Team Canada in all cycling disciplines at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from August 5 to 21.

Among the elite group of cyclists nominated are Olympic medallists Tara Whitten and Jasmin Glaesser as well as retuning London 2012 team members Catharine Pendrel, Emily Batty, Laura Brown, Tory Nyhaug and Monique Sullivan. The team also includes Georgia Simmerling, who competed in alpine skiing at Vancouver 2010 and ski cross at Sochi 2014. She looks to become the first Canadian athlete to compete in a different sport at each of three Olympic Games.

The team is coached by Craig Griffin (track – endurance), Erin Hartwell (track – sprint), Adam Muys (BMX), Denise Kelly (road – women), Pierre-Henri Sauze (BMX) and Dan Proulx (mountain bike), all of whom are overseen by High Performance Director and Head Coach, Jacques Landry and High Performance Manager, Kris Westwood.

The athletes earned their spots as part of a two-year qualification process during which their accumulated ranking points qualified Canada for the Games in each discipline. After an extensive review of international performances, physiological data analysis and other determining factors, the High Performance Committee selected the nominated athletes to compete at the Games.

All of the Canadian cyclists will participate in various pre-Games preparation camps and competitions. These include the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne (QC), a Track Olympic training camp in Milton (ON), a BMX Canada Cup race in Toronto (ON), and various races for the road cyclists.

The Rio 2016 cycling competitions will take place at various venues. Road cycling will be held on August 6 and 7 at Fort Copacabana and August 10 in Pontal. Track cycling events will be held at the Rio Olympic Velodrome, August 11-15. The BMX competition will take place at the Olympic BMX Centre, August 17-19, followed by the mountain bike races August 20-21 at the Mountain Bike Centre.

At Rio 2016, Canada expects to field a team of more than 315 athletes.

Cycling Canada is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada. Founded in 1882, Cycling Canada aims to create and sustain an effective system that develops talented Canadian cyclists to achieve Olympic, Paralympic, and World Championship medal performances. With the vision of being a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020 celebrating enhanced international success, increased national participation and world class event hosting, Cycling Canada manages the High-Performance team, hosts national and international events and administers community programs to promote Cycling in Canada.

QUOTES

“I am very excited to participate in the biggest cycling event in the world. It is an honour for me to wear the Canadian colours for both the road race and the time trial. I accomplished my first goal of the 2016 season: to qualify for the Olympics. Now, the attention turns towards the final preparations to arrive in Rio at my peak.”

Hugo Houle, 2015 Pan American Games Time Trial Champion, Road Cycling

 

“I am really excited to represent Canada for a third time at the Olympic Games. I am always proud to wear the maple leaf and will do my best to put it on the podium where it belongs. We have an incredibly strong and cohesive team headed to Rio. I know we will all give our best and make Canada proud!”

Catharine Pendrel, Two-Time World Champion, Mountain Bike

 

“We have proven ourselves to be contenders for the top step of the podium at every competition we have attended since London 2012 and I fully expect us to be ready to challenge for the gold in Rio. Though most will only see the four riders on the start line, this team and our ultimate performance will be a testament to the relentless dedication on the part of our staff and partners that have worked tirelessly to provide us with all the tools and resources necessary to pursue our goals. I couldn’t be more proud to work with such a phenomenal team on and off the bike and it’s because of you that we will be able to take to the boards in Rio confident, knowing that our best is yet to come.”

Jasmin Glaesser, Olympic Bronze Medallist, Track Cycling

 

“Cycling is obviously a sport that is close to my heart. We are incredibly lucky to have medal potential across the board. This group has a wide range of experienced athletes – some that have stood on the podium at every level in international events. Congratulations to everyone involved that has made it possible for us to be here today. We are looking forward to cheering you on.”

Curt Harnett, Rio 2016 Team Canada Chef de Mission

 

“I’m very proud of what our athletes, coaches and staff have achieved in securing the highest number of Olympic quota spots for cycling in recent years. Thanks to our more centralized programs, where we’ve been able to optimize our daily training environments, I am confident that we have the systems and processes in place that will put our cyclists in the best possible position to generate top Olympic performances.”

Jacques Landry, High Performance Director and Head Coach

 

“Cycling Canada has done a phenomenal job of preparing our athletes to compete for Team Canada and to push for the podium in all four cycling disciplines in Rio. On behalf of the Government of Canada, congratulations to our cyclistsnamed today to represent our country and good luck this summer at the Olympic Games.”

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

 

The cycling team which will represent Canada at Rio 2016 includes:

 

ATHLETES

First Last Hometown Discipline
Hugo Barrette Îles de la Madeleine, QC Track Cycling
Emily Batty Brooklin, ON Mountain Bike
Allison Beveridge Calgary, AB Track Cycling
Léandre Bouchard Alma, QC Mountain Bike
Laura Brown Vancouver, BC Track Cycling
Karol-Ann Canuel Gatineau, QC Road Cycling
Antoine Duchesne Chicoutimi, QC Road Cycling
Raphaël Gagné Québec City, QC Mountain Bike
Jasmin Glaesser Vancouver, BC Track Cycling
Hugo Houle Ste-Perpétue, QC Road Cycling
Leah Kirchmann Winnipeg, MB Road Cycling
Kirsti Lay Montreal, QC Track Cycling
Tory Nyhaug Coquitlam, BC BMX
Kate O’Brien Calgary, AB Track Cycling
Catharine Pendrel Kamloops, BC Mountain Bike
Georgia Simmerling West Vancouver, BC Track Cycling
Monique Sullivan Calgary, AB Track Cycling
Tara Whitten Calgary, AB Road Cycling
Mike Woods Ottawa, ON Road Cycling

 

COACHES

Position First Last Hometown
Track, Endurance Craig Griffin Milton, ON
Track, Sprint Erin Hartwell Hamilton, ON
Road, Women Denise Kelly Smithers, BC
Head Coach Jacques Landry Ottawa, ON
BMX Adam Muys Maple Ridge, BC
Mountain Bike Dan Proulx Victoria, BC
BMX Pierre-Henri Sauze Cavaillon, France
Team Leader Kris Westwood Ottawa, ON

Prior to being named to the final Canadian Rio 2016 Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations.

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CYCLING CANADA PARTNERS WITH SWAGMAN

(Ottawa, ON – June 24, 2016) Swagman has joined Cycling Canada’s pool of official suppliers with a long-term commitment to provide its line of bicycle racks for National Cycling Team programs as well as select Cycling Canada events across the country.

Based in Penticton, BC, Swagman is a leading brand of value-added bicycle racks and outdoor-oriented sporting products. Founded in the early 90s by Jim and Jan Morris, the company produces and distributes a comprehensive line of rack products including vertical, platform, two arm and single arm and hitch racks.

Now under the leadership of President and co-owner Perry Grago, Swagman’s success is greatly tied to the feedback of numerous high profile brand ambassadors, retailers, performance partners and key staff who regularly use, test, and participate in the development and design of Swagman products.

Swagman products will be highly visible on Cycling Canada’s lineup of Lexus SUVs and team cars across the country as well as on support vehicles at Canadian Cycling Championship events, including the 2016 Global Relay Canadian Road Championships presented by Lexus, to be hosted this weekend in Ottawa.

“The ability to transport expensive and fragile bicycles to and from competitions and training camps safely is crucial to an effective national team program,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director and Head Coach for Cycling Canada. “I’m delighted with our new partnership with Swagman, which ensures we have top-quality racks so we can provide this service to our athletes. This gives us the peace of mind we need to focus on our goals without distractions.”

Being a Canadian-based company it makes sense for us to step up and support our National Team Programs. Swagman is proud to be able to support Cycling Canada’s teams, especially in this Olympic year and onwards. We look forward to years of product feedback to assist with our development process for future products,” said Perry Grago, President of Swagman Racks.

For more information on Swagman Racks please visit http://www.swagman.net/.

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CYCLING CANADA WELCOMES ZIZU OPTICS TO OFFICIAL SUPPLIER POOL

(Ottawa, ON – June 23, 2016) ZiZU Optics has joined Cycling Canada’s pool of official suppliers with a commitment to provide its line of performance eyewear for national high performance programs as well select Cycling Canada events across the country.

The partnership brings high-quality performance eyewear to Cycling Canada, backed by a grass roots, fast-growing Canadian brand.

Based in Ottawa, ON, ZiZU Optics is committed to providing high quality eyewear to elite athletes at affordable prices. The company is now an official supplier to five of Canada’s National Teams (cycling, triathlon, canoe/kayak, cross-country skiing and biathlon) as well as some of the biggest running events across the country.

“We’re delighted to partner with ZiZu Optics as a supplier to our high performance programs,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director and Head Coach for Cycling Canada. “It may seem like a small thing, but having quality eyewear is extremely important in a sport like cycling, where we compete at high speeds in all sorts of weather conditions. It’s a big advantage for our athletes to know they have access to quality eye protection.”

ZiZU Optics will be on-site in the event expo at the upcoming 2016 Global Relay Canadian Road Championships presented by Lexus on June 25th and 26th. Available for purchase will be a special edition line of Cycling Canada branded eyewear.

For more information and to purchase ZiZU products please visit http://www.zizuoptics.com/. Use code CCC20 to receive 20% off any online purchase. Online promo ends July 3, 2016.

ABOUT ZIZU OPTICS

ZiZU Optics, an Ottawa based company, is committed to providing innovative high quality eyewear to all athletes at affordable prices. ZiZU Optics is an official supplier to five of our National Teams. For more information, please visit www.zizuoptics.com

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NATIONAL CYCLING TEAM TO FUEL UP WITH JELLY BELLY SPORT BEANS

(Ottawa, ON – June 17, 2016) Canada’s top cyclists are fuelling up for their drive to the podium this summer thanks to a sports nutritional chew from Jelly Belly, Sport Beans.

Uno Imports has joined Cycling Canada’s supplier pool with a commitment to provide its line of Jelly Belly Sport Beans to the National Cycling Team over the next year.

Distributed in Canada by leading cycling goods importer Uno Imports, Jelly Belly Sport Beans are formulated to help fuel the body during intense exercise. Clinically proven to maximize sport performance, each bean is loaded with carbs for fuel, electrolytes to help maintain fluid balance, and vitamins to optimize energy release and protect cells against oxidative damage. The sports nutritional chews are made with colors and flavors from natural sources, and packaged in convenient re-sealable bags, perfect for carrying in a jersey pocket.

“Cycling is a demanding endurance sport that challenges athletes to maintain proper fluid and electrolyte balance in order to achieve maximum performance,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director and Head Coach for Cycling Canada. “Having access to the proper nutritional products for training and competition is critical for optimal performance across all of our cycling disciplines.”

Uno Imports will supply the National Cycling Team with a wide range of Sport Beans products and will provide product for sampling at select Cycling Canada events in 2017, including Canadian Championships events in road and track cycling.

“We’re very pleased to be supporting Cycling Canada” says Romeo Andretta of Uno Imports. “Our company has been supporting amateurs, pro cyclists and Teams in Canada for the past 20 years. This is the next step, supporting Team Canada at home and internationally”.

ABOUT UNO IMPORTS

Uno Imports, Inc. is a leading importer and distributor of Italian cycling goods for the Canadian marketplace. Based in Hamilton, ON, we have serviced the Canadian bicycle and Outdoor industry for over 20 years. We currently represent the following brands exclusively in Canada: Giordana, Giordana Custom, Pinarello, M.O.S.T accessories, Dario Pegoretti and Jelly Belly Sport Beans. For more information, please visit: www.unoimports.com.

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