Canada sends 28 riders to 2016 mountain bike worlds

In an Olympic year, Cycling Canada will be sending a team of 28 new and experienced athletes to the cross-country mountain bike world championships in Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic. Canada’s athletes will compete on June 29 to July 3 in the men’s and women’s events across the junior (17 to 18 years old), under-23 and elite categories. Olympic years see the XC championships held earlier than their usual slot in August.

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“We have a very strong national team program – one of the best in the world,” said Dan Proulx the national mountain bike coach. “For the vast majority of the riders, worlds is another opportunity to climb the ladder toward international success. The data we have collected through Own the Podium clearly shows that riders climb each and every rung of the ladder,” said Proulx.

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“It’s about adapting to the international level of the sport and learning faster than the competition. You simply cannot learn this at home. You have to be here if you hope to compete in the future. As always, Canada brings a strong team full of potential,” Proulx explained.

The Canadian team will be led by elite women’s Canadian champion Catharine Pendrel and Pan Am gold medalist Emily Batty. The pair podiumed at the third round of the world cup in La Bresse, France. Pendrel a resident of Kamloops, B.C. is two-time world champion and currently sits second in the overall world cup classification.

The elite men’s squad is anchored by a trio of top-20 world cup finishers with Canadian champion Raphaël Gagné of Québec City, Léandre Bouchard of Alma, Que. and Derek Zandstra of Trenton, Ont. leading a strong group of Canadians.

Proulx made clear that while the team will be in contention for podium spots the focus lies later on in the season. “In an Olympic year, the season is compressed and our goals revolve around the games. At worlds, it would be great to earn a medal but ultimately it’s all about preparation for Rio for our best athletes.”

 

The Downhill world championships will take place in late August, in Italy and because they aren’t held at the same time present an opportunity for Canada to field a larger XC roster for worlds.

“With downhill being held at a separate location, it gave us the flexibility to add more XC riders to the roster,” said Dan Proulx. “The team is comprised of athletes who’ve represented Canada on many occasions over the years. Everyone is familiar with each other and will gel very easily.”

Junior women

Emily Handford (West Vancouver, B.C.)
Erica Leonard (Barrie, Ont.)
Sidney McGill (Edmonton, Alt.)
Sophieanne Samson (Quebec City, Que.)

Junior men

Quinton Disera (Barrie, Ont.)
Sean Fincham (Squamish, B.C.)
Gunnar Holmgren (Orillia, Ont.)
Victor Verreault (St-Félicien, Que.)

U23 women

Catherine Fleury (Alma, Que.)
Soren Meeuwisse (Orillia, Ont.)
Frédérique Trudel (Breakeyville, Que.)

U23 men

Peter Disera (Barrie, Ont.)
Marc-André Fortier (Victoriaville, Que.)
Marc-Antoine Nadon (Timmins, Ont.)
Alexandre Vialle (Prévost, Que.)

Elite women

Emily Batty (Brooklin, Ont.)
Rebecca Beaumont (Alma, Que.)
Cindy Montambault (Val-David, Que.)
Catharine Pendrel (Kamloops, B.C.)
Haley Smith (Uxbridge, Ont.)
Sandra Walter (Coquitlam, B.C.)

Elite men

Léandre Bouchard (Alma, Que.)
Raphaël Gagné (Québec City)
Evan Guthrie (Peachland, B.C.)
Geoff Kabush (Courtenay, B.C.)
Andrew L’Esperance (Halifax)
Evan McNeely (Kingston, Ont.)
Derek Zandstra (Trenton, Ont.)