Last month, the city of Montreal received exciting news that it will play as the host to the UCI 2026 Road World Championships which will be organized by Grands Prix Cyclistes de Quebec et de Montreal with support from Cycling Canada.
This won’t be the first time that the city will host such a prestigious event as it held its first ever Road World Championships outside of Europe in 1974 with a lasting legacy even 52 years later. With the best athletes coming from around the world to compete for the rainbow jersey, not only will it be an exciting event for athletes racing, but it will be a fantastic experience for our entire community.
The event speaks to the level of racing that Canada has but it also supports all of our pillars, from having Gracious Champions at the event from current and retired athletes ready to watch and endorse the event; to our grassroots pillar by inspiring kids to get on bikes and try riding through the streets of Montreal; having our community get excited about the event whether that be watching, cheering or volunteering; and finally having an event of this magnitude come to Canada showing the world the amazing roads, infrastructure and atmosphere that we have when it comes hosting an international racing.
While it may still be four years away, we can’t help but to get excited knowing that some riders from U23 and Junior categories will have their eyes to race in the Canadian jersey. It’s a new exciting goal and opportunity for many young athletes to perform in front of friends, family and a home crowd through streets that they’ve arguably ridden and raced on growing up as they found their love for the bike. For many it will be a full circle moment from discovering their favourite places to climb to riding alongside the best and fastest in the world. As for the community, we have no doubts that this will inspire future generations of national team athletes to try riding, or even inspire people to get back on their bikes and ride again; discovering new places and building connections with new people.
It is a great honour that we have been selected for the event and we cannot wait for the world to see Montreal in action fighting for the rainbow jersey once again!
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE FOR SIMONE BOILARD AT ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
It was a breakthrough performance for Simone Boilard who had the best finish by a Canadian during the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, Australia. The U23 rider was just shy of a podium finish to ride into fourth spot in her category, while finishing 22nd overall with the Elite women after 164.2-kilometres of racing. The team also celebrated Leah Kirchmann who rode her final race with Team Canada after announcing her retirement earlier last month. Full results from both Individual Time Trials and Road Races can be found on the UCI website.
9 NATIONAL RECORDS BROKEN 57 TITLES WON AT CANADIAN TRACK NATIONALS
After three intense days of racing at the Mattamy Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario, 57 new national titles were awarded at the 2022 Canadian Track Championships. Para-cyclist, Mel Pemble, set the tone to break the first record of the weekend in the women’s C3 Time Trial. Following Pembel, other athletes would follow suit for a total of nine national records broken across both the Para and Master categories. There was no shortage of fast racing on the Elite side with Olympians and Team Canada athletes including Lauriane Genest, Nick Wammes, Maggie Coles-Lyster and Kelsey Mitchell, who took gold in all of the women’s Sprint events, all came out to win their maple leaf jerseys. A full list of all National Champions can be found here.
MONTRÉAL TO HOST THE 2026 UCI ROAD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
At its Congress in Wollongong, Australia during the 2022 UCI Road World Championships, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) awarded the 2026 UCI Road World Championships to the city of Montréal. The event will be organized by the promoter of the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal, alongside Cycling Canada. As one the biggest sporting events on the planet, the UCI Road World Championships represent an exceptional opportunity in terms of economic, social and tourism benefits as well as international reach and reputation held on September 20 – 27. Full press release can about the World Championships can be found on our website.
Leah Kirchmann in the Elite women’s Road Race at Road World Championships in Australia
Photo: Chris Auld
Other National Team Updates
- Canadian athletes rode in front of a home crowd at GPCQM with fans watching U23 Carson Miles in the break at the GP Québec for more than half the race along with witnessing Antoine Duchesne cross the line one last time before retiring.
- Jackson Goldstone continues his winning streak taking the win at the Hard Line in Wales last month.
- Gracey Hemstreet and Jackson Goldstone walked away from the DH World Cup circuit to take the overall title in the Junior category. Carter Woods would also claim a second overall title in the U23 XCO category.
- From riding the trails of the Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup as a kid, to eventually racing them as part of her World Cup Circuit. Roxanne has never lost her love for the bike. Watch how the bike has inspired her.
- Road athlete, Michael Leonard, has officially signed with Team Ineos. The 18-year old will race for the professional team in his three year contract.
- Masters Athletes took to Italy to compete in the Gran Fondo World Championships earlier this month. Results can be found on the UCI website.
UCI BMX World Cup #7 & #8
October 1-2
Bogota, Colombia
Il Lombardia
October 8
Italy
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #1
October 9
Waterloo, USA
UCI Track Cycling World Championships
October 12-16
Saint-Quentin, France
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #2
October 16
Fayetteville, USA
UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup
October 20-23
Gold Coast, Australia
UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships
October 20-23
Saint-Quentin, France
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #3
October 23
Tabor, Czech Republic
UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup #4
October 30
Maasmechelen, Belgium
ESPORTS IS BACK
We are excited to share that we will be hosting another full and exciting season of eSports on Zwift! Look forward to your Monday and Tuesday social rides, Wednesday night races and Saturday Fundos. Not only will you have another opportunity to connect with others in the community, but you can look forward to some guest appearances from our former and current national team athletes to share what they’ve been up to and what’s ahead for them. Keep an eye on the Events Page on our website for more details and registration later this month.
OCTOBER COACHING COURSES
Another month to add some great learning to your schedule. This month, Skills and Tactics theory in both English and French running on October, 11, 13, 18 and 20; along with Training to Race available in both languages from October 12, 14, 17 and 19. Registration is now available through our online portal.
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:
- Former national team member, Marie-Soleil Blais is using her experience as a rider to help more women by creating 10 free cycling virtual workouts for riders of all levels to give guidance and tips. She hopes to give back to the community by opening up the program which you can find more info here.
- We celebrated National Coaches Week last month to take the time to say, ‘thank you’ to every coach. Whether that be our HopOn instructors and coaches to those coaching our national team. Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, and we appreciate every single one.
- A development camp in B.C. hosted riders from three western provinces to teach them important skills, community building and igniting the passion for riding hosted by Victoria Youth Cycling Experience (VYCE). The programming allowed athletes to learn about different disciplines from coaches, athletes and ambassadors.
- New season, new kit! As we head into fall, there’s nothing better than throwing on a new kit. We still have stock available in our online store so you can ride in style.
- The Young Women in Motion program is helping, supporting and empowering women in marginalized groups to help them discover the joy and freedom through riding. We love to see it.
- We are thrilled to have had HopOn programming to the Cochiwan Tribes of Vancouver Island to help kids learn the basics of safe and fun riding. A big thanks to Cycling BC and local club partners for organizing and delivering this exciting pilot project.
- Last month we recognized Truth and Reconciliation Day and would like to highlight our community partnership with B.I.Cycle for HopOn, where shirts are available for sale with proceeds going towards programming for disadvantaged Black and Indigenous communities to show and provide the benefits of cycling.
Victoria Youth Cycling Experience, more than 30 kids got to try different cycling disciplines
Photo: Jay Wallace
SURVEY: CYCLING CANADA WANTS YOUR INPUT
Cycling Canada and their Provincial and Territorial partners want to hear from you! How does cycling play a part in your life, or your friends and family? How do you consume cycling news, interact with your community groups and clubs? What benefits do you look for in a cycling membership (cycling club or association)? Your feedback will be pivotal to the growth and enhancement of the membership offerings for current and new members to Cycling Canada and their Provincial and Territorial partners.
All participants who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a Wahoo watch! The deadline to complete the survey is Thursday, October 13th at 11:59pm EST and the draw will be limited to one entry per participant. Click here to begin the survey.
CYCLING CANADA SIGNS REBOOST CANADA AS NEWEST NUTRITION SUPPLIER
Cycling Canada is excited to announce a partnership with Reboost Canada with their maple syrup gel products which will ensure athletes at all levels are able to perform at their peak capabilities. The Canadian-based company, produces all-natural supplements including their Maple Energy Gels which can be taken before, during or after training and racing. Current Cycling Canada members can use code “CCC” at checkout to redeem 10% off maple energy gel orders. To learn more about Reboost maple energy gel products and place an order of your own, visit their website here.
The Shifting Gears blog provides a platform for our staff, athletes, board and community members to write about interesting topics and ideas.In celebration of National Coaches week, we shared National Team Coach, Rob Holmgren’s story on what it’s like to be not only a coach to many provincial and national team athletes, but as well as part of his kid’s, Ava, Isabella and Gunnar’s, development as athletes and what it’s like to watch them grow into a sport that they all love while watching them compete on the world stage.