14 NATIONAL TITLES WON AT 2024 CANADIAN ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Ottawa, ON (Feb. 12, 2024) – Cycling Canada proudly hosted the 2024 Canadian Esports Championships on the Zwift virtual cycling platform from Feb. 10-11, featuring accessible competition for athletes nationwide across seven age categories.
Competition began on Feb. 10 with the U17, Juniors and Masters races. Several 2023 champions were successful in defending their crowns, including Julie Lehmann (U17 Women); Dan Zeggelaar (Masters Men 35-44); Josée Rossignol (Masters Women 45-54); and Anna Tykoliz, who has won the Masters Women 65+ category in all three editions of the Canadian Esports Championships.
Ryan Nickerson took home top honours for the U17 Men, while the Junior titles went to Cadie Geertsema (Women) and Raphael Péloquin (Men). Rounding out the Masters winners were Lindsay Burgess (Women 35-44); Sebastien Perreault (Men 45-54); Nathalie Champagne (Women 55-64); Bruce Bird (Men 55-64); and Brian Zulkoskey (Men 65+).
“I’m very proud to have won the Canadian Champion’s jersey,” said Perreault. “The number of participants in virtual cycling events is on the rise, and the sport is becoming more and more recognized. It’s great that Cycling Canada is offering the country’s cyclists the chance to experience inspiring moments through these championships. Congratulations to all the participants!”
On Feb. 11, the Elite athletes hit the virtual road in races livestreamed in partnership with Zwift Community Live. Thomas Thrall maintained his title of Elite Men’s Champion for a second consecutive year, while the maple leaf jersey was earned by Michelle Gagnon for the Elite Women.
“Whether it be eports or simply women’s cycling, the sport is evolving at an exponential pace and I’m so excited to be a part of it all,” commented Gagnon. “It’s events like these that motivate the cyclists of tomorrow and encourage Canadians to simply hop on the bike and get out there.
Winning the maple leaf jersey was the cherry on top and I will be wearing it all over the Belgian roads with pride!”
The full list of podium results from the Canadian Esports Championships can be found here. Next up on the Canadian Championships calendar is the Canadian Track Championships for U17, Junior and Para athletes from March 29-31. The full calendar of national events can be found on the Cycling Canada website.
