Seasons may be changing, but that doesn’t mean the cycling season is over. Whether you choose to make the most of the fall temperatures and ride outdoors, or you’ve migrated to your indoor trainer, there are still plenty of ways to remain active.
This month, Cycling Canada will be kicking off its Esports season, starting with weekly rides and races on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Last year, we saw thousands of participants from coast-to-coast join in on the fun and build connections with one another from week to week. Despite being apart, there was a lot of comfort and motivation in knowing that there were hundreds of other like-minded people doing the exact same thing.
Participants will have even more to look forward to this year as we introduce new events and new formats, as well as new guest riders on a bi-weekly basis. Ever dreamed of cycling with one of Canada’s top WorldTour athletes or one of our Hall of Famers? Now you can! Every two weeks, we will have special guest riders to help you push yourself and answer all of your burning questions. Stay tuned on our social media channels for more information regarding guest riders, special events and much more!
In the meantime, we have a lot to look forward to on the international calendar with the UCI Track Champions League and the Cyclo-Cross World Cups featuring some of our top Canadian talent. Needless to say, there certainly won’t be a shortage of opportunities to watch, ride and connect in the coming months.
CANADIAN TRACK SQUAD WRAP UP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN FRANCE
Sixteen of Canada’s top track athletes wrapped up five days of racing at the 2021 UCI Track Cycling World Championships with standout performances, including a bronze medal in the women’s Sprint by Olympic champion Kelsey Mitchell. Overall, the team had six top-5 finishes, making this one of Canada’s most successful World Championships to date. Among the top results, Kelsey Mitchell won bronze in the Sprint finals, beating her teammate Lauriane Genest who finished 4th. Full results from all five days of racing can be found here. Selected athletes are now gearing up for the UCI Track Champions League from November 6 – December 11.
FIVE NEW MEMBERS INDUCTED INTO THE CANADIAN CYCLING HALL OF FAME
Five new members were inducted into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame over the weekend as part of Cycling Canada’s Annual Conference. Robbi Weldon, Pierre Gachon and Cindy Devine were inducted as athletes, while Patrice Drouin and Chantal Lachance were recognized for their tremendous achievements as builders. The Hall of Fame now counts twenty-seven members, including twenty-two athletes and five builders. Read more about the inductees here.
MOLLY SIMPSON WINS FIRST BMX WORLD CUP MEDAL IN TURKEY
In her first year competing as an Elite athlete, Molly Simpson from Red Deer, Alberta, rode her way to a bronze medal at BMX World Cup # 5 in Sakarya, Turkey. This marked her first international race since the BMX World Championships in late August. In other results, Junior World Championships silver medallist Teigen Pascual obtained her best result in the Elite field, earning a spot in the semi-final round.
ESPORTS CALENDAR RETURNS FOR 2021-2022 SEASON
Cycling Canada is excited to announce the return of its multi-platform virtual cycling calendar for the 2021/2022 winter season after a highly successful first season. The calendar will kick on November 1st, with the return of Cycling Canada’s Weekly Tune-Up Rides on Mondays and Tuesdays, followed by Wednesday Night Race Series and Saturday Fundo Rides. Individuals interested in becoming ride leaders can contact us before November 5th.
U17/JR/PARA CANADIAN TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS REGISTRATION OPEN
Registration is now open until November 8th for the U17/Junior/Para Canadian Track Championships, to be held at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario from November 12-14. Click here for full event details, including schedule and technical guide.
Monday Weekly-Tune Up Ride (Mixed)
November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
8:05 p.m. EST
Zwift
Tuesday Weekly Tune-Up Ride (Women Only)
November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
8:05 p.m. EST
Zwift
Wednesday Night Race Series
November 3, 10, 17, 24
8:05 p.m. EST
Zwift
Cycling Canada Saturday Fundo
November 6, 13, 20, 27
12:05 p.m. EST
Zwift
UCI Track Champions League #1
November 6
Palma, Spain
Pan American Cyclo-cross Championships
November 6-7
Tulsa, USA
Canadian Track Championships (U17/Junior/Para)
November 12-14
Milton, Ontario
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #6
November 14
Tabor, Czech Republic
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #7
November 21
Koksijde, Belgium
UCI Track Champions League #2
November 27
Panevezys, Lithuania
Canadian Cyclo-Cross Championships + Bear Crossing Grand Prix
November 27-28
Langford, British Columbia
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #8
November 28
Besanson, France
We are proud to be part of a dynamic and outstanding cycling community whose many achievements and contributions go beyond performances on the bike. In an effort to recognize some of these many noteworthy achievements, Cycling Canada would like to highlight the following individuals and accomplishments:
- Following Cycling Canada’s 2021 Board of Directors Election, we are pleased to announce that Mark Gilligan, Peter Lawless, Curt Harnett and Kelly Murray were appointed as directors-at-large, while Pierre Laflamme was reelected as Chair of the Board for the next year.
- Rally Cycling’s Rob Britton announced his retirement after 12 years as a pro road cyclist. We wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life!
- Hugo Houle announced he is moving to Israel Start-Up Nation for the 2022 season where he will join fellow Canadians Mike Woods, Guillaume Boivin, James Piccoli and Alex Cataford. Meanwhile, 19-year old Raphaël Parisella just signed his first pro contract with French team B & B Hotel p/b KTM.
- At the beginning of the year, Mike Woods made a commitment to minimize his carbon footprint during the WorldTour season. As he continues to take daily actions to help the environment, he sat down with fellow Olympian, Seyi Smith, to discuss how they can make a positive impact and help make sport greener.
- Canadian cycling legend Gord Fraser was announced as the new Head Sports Director of the Israel Cycling Academy development team, where he will help young riders build the skills required to move up to the WorldTour level.
- Cycling BC has partnered with BC Speed Skating to host a Performance Summit on November 21-23 with the focus on opportunities for development in many shared areas of interest such as coaching, high performance, nutrition, sport psychology, safe sport, and mental health. Registration is now open and you can sign up here.
- Although DH athlete Magnus Mason was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma earlier this year, his determination to remain active hasn’t wavered. As he’s currently halfway through his treatment, he is challenging himself and others to set a goal and push themselves while raising money for the Stevie Smith Foundation. More information for the November 4-7 fundraiser and ways to donate can be found here.
SKILLS & TACTICS THEORY AND TRAINING TO RACE COURSES
Registration is now open for the Skills and Tactics theory and Training to Race courses which will be delivered every month in both French and English. There must be a minimum of 5 participants for courses to be offered.
NCCP Competition Development Workshop
Cycling Canada is seeking interest from coaches to participate in an NCCP Competition Development workshop which will be presented by coaches Dan Proulx and Luc Arseneau. Course modules include: Analyzing Performance, Performance Planning, Managing a Program and Planning a Project. Candidates must be recommended by their Provincial or Territorial Association and all eligible candidates must complete the application form (English or French) and make a payment no later than November 15, 2021.
We are proud to be part of a dynamic and outstanding cycling community whose many achievements and contributions go beyond performances on the bike. In an effort to recognize some of these many noteworthy achievements, Cycling Canada would like to highlight the following individuals and accomplishments:
- Following Cycling Canada’s 2021 Board of Directors Election, we are pleased to announce that Mark Gilligan, Peter Lawless, Curt Harnett and Kelly Murray were appointed as directors-at-large, while Pierre Laflamme was reelected as Chair of the Board for the next year.
- Rally Cycling’s Rob Britton announced his retirement after 12 years as a pro road cyclist. We wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life!
- Hugo Houle announced he is moving to Israel Start-Up Nation for the 2022 season where he will join fellow Canadians Mike Woods, Guillaume Boivin, James Piccoli and Alex Cataford. Meanwhile, 19-year old Raphaël Parisella just signed his first pro contract with French team B & B Hotel p/b KTM.
- At the beginning of the year, Mike Woods made a commitment to minimize his carbon footprint during the WorldTour season. As he continues to take daily actions to help the environment, he sat down with fellow Olympian, Seyi Smith, to discuss how they can make a positive impact and help make sport greener.
- Canadian cycling legend Gord Fraser was announced as the new Head Sports Director of the Israel Cycling Academy development team, where he will help young riders build the skills required to move up to the WorldTour level.
- Cycling BC has partnered with BC Speed Skating to host a Performance Summit on November 21-23 with the focus on opportunities for development in many shared areas of interest such as coaching, high performance, nutrition, sport psychology, safe sport, and mental health. Registration is now open and you can sign up here.
- Although DH athlete Magnus Mason was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma earlier this year, his determination to remain active hasn’t wavered. As he’s currently halfway through his treatment, he is challenging himself and others to set a goal and push themselves while raising money for the Stevie Smith Foundation. More information for the November 4-7 fundraiser and ways to donate can be found here.
SKILLS & TACTICS THEORY AND TRAINING TO RACE COURSES
Registration is now open for the Skills and Tactics theory and Training to Race courses which will be delivered every month in both French and English. There must be a minimum of 5 participants for courses to be offered.
NCCP Competition Development Workshop
Cycling Canada is seeking interest from coaches to participate in an NCCP Competition Development workshop which will be presented by coaches Dan Proulx and Luc Arseneau. Course modules include: Analyzing Performance, Performance Planning, Managing a Program and Planning a Project. Candidates must be recommended by their Provincial or Territorial Association and all eligible candidates must complete the application form (English or French) and make a payment no later than November 15, 2021.
Last month, we celebrated most cyclist’s favourite day: National Coffee Day! Not only does coffee fuel so many of us, but you can also help fuel the dreams of Canadian cyclists when you purchase our Café Barista Cycling Canada blend, with part of the proceeds going towards supporting our athletes & programs.
The Shifting Gears blog provides a platform for our staff, athletes, board and community members to write about interesting topics and ideas. Last month, NextGen Lead Coach Jenny Trew spoke about the importance of instilling the values of sport into future generations of Gracious Champions and the impact sport has on athletes and the community as a whole.
If you are passionate about cycling and interested in contributing to the blog, please reply to this email.