British Columbia wins seven titles on first day of junior, under-17 and para track nationals
Junior selection event for the world championships
The 2017 junior, under-17 and para Canadian Track Championships kicked off on Friday, March 31 at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario. The event runs over the weekend concluding on April 2. With nearly 100 athletes from across Canada in attendance, the first day saw 12 titles awarded. As the selection event for the junior world championships which will be held in Shenyang, China, the 2017 Canadian championships have added significance to the young athletes in attendance.
As the selection event for the junior world championships which will be held in Shenyang, China, the 2017 Canadian championships have added significance to the young athletes in attendance. The event showcases the strong talent Canadian has moving up the ranks. Last year junior Stefan Ritter, who has since graduated to the under-23 category, won a world championship title in the 1,000-metre time trial in Aigle, Switzerland.
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“What an exciting day of racing,” said Mathieu Boucher, performance development director at Cycling Canada. “The first day of the U17/U19 Canadian track championships powered by Lexus is a testament to the good work that is being done by our coaches and clubs across the country to prepare the next generation of champions.”
Men and women’s titles in the individual pursuit, keirin and scratch race in the U17 and junior categories were awarded on the opening day with British Columbia leading the way with seven gold medals. Riley Pickerell (Tripleshot Cycling) led the way on the opening day taking three straight titles in the men’s under-17 category for British Columbia. Maggie Coles-Lyster (TaG Cycling) took women’s junior titles in the keirin and scratch race while Canadian junior road champion Erin Attwell (Cyclng BC) won the junior women’s title in the individual pursuit. Sarah van Dam (Tripleshot Cycling) wn the U17 women’s individual pursuit.
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Ontario took four titles on the opening day with Nick Wammes (Kallisto-FCV powered by Peloton Contracting) winning the junior men’s keirin, Madison Dempsterm (Midweek Cycling) in the U17 women’s keirin, Madison Archbold (Madonna Wheelers) victorious in the u17 scratch race and Michael Foley (La Bicicletta Cycling) taking the title in the junior men’s scratch race.
Quebec also earned a national title with Tristan Guillemette (Équipe du Québec) winning the men’s individual pursuit.
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The national championships resume on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday. Admission to the Milton velodrome during the event for spectators is free.
