Cycling Canada Cyclisme – (Ottawa, ON – July 8, 2016) After many years of playing host to the Canada Cup national series, Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec, will finally have the opportunity in this Olympic year to present the Canadian MTB XCO Championships.  Fresh off the world championships in the Czech Republic, and a little over a month before the mountain bike competition at the Rio Games, Canada’s top mountain bike riders will race for Canadian Championship XCO and XCE titles on July 14-17.  Three of the four Canadian riders nominated to the Rio Olympic team for mountain bike will participate in these championships.
 
The organization in Baie-Saint-Paul, a little over one hour from Quebec City, has 17 years of experience in producing top-notch events at the Quebec Cup and Canada Cup levels.  Riders will vie for titles in both the Cross-country Olympic (XCO) and Eliminator (XCE) titles across men and women and in age categories ranging through Under-17 (Cadet), Under-19 (Junior), Under-23 (U23), Elite and Masters (30-39, 40-49 and 50+).
 
“Canada’s top riders will be welcomed to a challenging and fun course in a staple venue within the Canadian Mountain Biking scene.  With a trusted organizer with over 17 years of experience of hosting Quebec and Canada Cup events, this event promises to be exciting and action-packed,” said Mathieu Boucher, Director of Performance Development at Cycling Canada.
 
Fresh off her world championships bronze medal, Emily Batty of Brooklin, Ontario, will be the clear favourite in the Elite Women’s XCO, given the absence of usual rival and defending champion Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, BC.  Pendrel has elected to skip the Canadian Championships to continue her preparations for the Olympic Games, where she and Batty will represent Canada.  Other podium hopefuls include Sandra Walter (Coquitlam, BC) and Cindy Montambault (Val-David, QC).
 
In the Elite Men’s XCO, defending champion Raphael Gagne of nearby Quebec City, will have strong competition from fellow Olympic-bound rider Leandre Bouchard of Alma, Quebec, who was the top Canadian man at the world championships, finishing 20th.  Others to watch for include former champions Derek Zandstra (Trenton, ON) and Geoff Kabush (Courtenay, BC).
 
“We are delighted to have been selected among many events organizations working elsewhere in Quebec and in Canada,” said Baie-Saint-Paul organizer Martin Simard. “It is both an honor and a privilege! For us there is no greater encouragement of confidence than to be asked to organize the Canadian Championships!”
 
“Obviously this is a challenge, a lot of work and a great responsibility. But we have 18 strong years of expertise and experience. With the invaluable and unwavering support of our partners, both public bodies and private companies gravitating around the Great Rendezvous Cyclists Charlevoix (GRVCC), allied to the dedication and generosity of Charlevoix who welcomes these cyclists year after year, and wonderful volunteers, we hold all the elements to make these successful championships which will further contribute to promoting our region.”
 
To register and for more information on the Championships, please use the links below.
 
Registration XCO: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/inscription-championnats-canadiens-championship-coupe-du-quebec-6-charlevoix-24595563994
 
Registration XCE: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/inscription-championnats-canadiens-xce-charlevoix-2016-24596609120
 
Technical Guide: http://www.cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Guide-Technique-2016-XCO-Championnats-Canadiens-3.pdf
 
ABOUT CYCLING CANADA
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. For more information, please visit: www.cyclingcanada.ca.
 
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INFORMATION
Guy Napert-Frenette
Communications
Cycling Canada Cyclisme
Cell. 403 669-5015
guynf@performancepr.ca