BMX team headed to world championships aiming for Rio

Tory Nyhaug of Coquitlam, B.C. heads Team Canada’s entry to the BMX world championships in Medellin, Colombia, on May 25-29. Canada will be represented by 16 athletes The men’s reigning Pan American games champion has three consecutive wins in the time trial on the world cup circuit this season.

The team of 16 athletes headed to Colombia competed at the Canada Cup national series event in Abbotsford, BC, on May 14-15 and are headed to a final training camp at the Abbotsford national training centre. The team is scheduled to depart for the world championships on May 23.

Feelin the flo yellow. pic.twitter.com/IjPopKYz2R

— Tory Nyhaug (@Tnyhaug49) May 16, 2016

The world championships are Nyhaug’s last major competition before the Olympic games. James Palmer of Vancouver and Gaby Malenfant of Drummondville, Que. join Nyhaug in the elite men’s category.

Amelia Walsh of Ayr, Ont. is Canada’s sole entry in the elite women’s category. She is in contention with athletes from four other countries to qualify for a spot at the Olympics. The top two teams at the world championships that have not yet qualified for a spot at the Olympics will be given a berth to Rio.

Megane Belanger from Okay, Que. is the sole competitor in for the junior women. Six junior men head to Colombia with Alex Tougas Pitt Meadows, B.C. the former winner of the challenge world title at the age of 15 and again at 16 looking to challenge for a position on the podium.

Canada’s development program enters its second year with five athletes named to the NextGen Development team. Racing in the entry-level challenge class these athletes receive support with the hope they develop into world-class riders of the future.

“We have selected a really good group of athletes,” stated Adam Muys, national BMX development coach. “Leading into the Olympics this is going to be a high-pressure event, where our top athletes are looking to perform and our development athletes are going to get an intense experience to lead them to future success.”

Team Canada for BMX World Championships, Medellin, Colombia – May 25 to 29
Elite Men
Tory Nyhaug, B.C.
James Palmer, B.C.
Gaby Malenfant, Que.

Elite Women
Amelia Walsh, Ont.

Junior Men
Deven Kawa, Alb.
Riley Lavorato, Alb.
Alex Tougas, BC..
Benjamin Leslie, B.C.
Josh Samells, Ont.
Nicholas Doyle, Ont.

Junior Women
Mégane Bélanger, Que.

NextGen Development Team
Avriana Hebert, Alb.
Alison Grecht, B.C.
Aidan Webber, B.C.
James Hedgecock, Ont.
Felix Maltais, Que.

SUPPORT STAFF
Adam Muys – championship team manager
Brendan Arnold – support staff
Kit Wong – strength and conditioning coach
Jen Turner – medical staff
Nicoline Hebert – chaperone for devo team
Brian Mansell – challenge team manager