Canada’s newest cyclocross team: Focus CX Team Canada
The all Canadian team will target UCI and World Cup races in North America
An all new Canadian cyclocross team will be debuting this season and will be strengthening Canada’s presence at the U.S. World Cup races and at UCI races around North American. With the 2016-2017 cyclocross season set to begin as summer begins to fade welcoming in the crisper fall weather. Based out of Ancaster, Ont. and supported by Focus Bikes as title sponsor, the team is composed of an entirely Canadian line-up mentored by veteran Aaron Schooler. With the goal of supporting the development of cyclocross in Canada, Focus CX Team Canada will race around Canada and the United States.
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The program will support four riders during its first season and the team will focus on prestigious North American UCI events and World Cup races. The team is composed of Sidney McGill of Edmonton, Jeremy Martin of Boischatel, Que., Ashley Barson of Bolton, Ont., and Aaron Schooler of Edmonton who will also act as team manager.
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“The project was created to assist current and future stars in Canadian cyclocross, to help fill the void in the development of Canadian cyclocross athletes, while striving to keep the talented ones in the discipline longer,” said team manager Aaron Schooler. “I plan to create an environment where they can learn the tools of the trade to become professionals both on and off the bike while providing them with the support they need.”
An experienced crew has been assembled to support the four riders on their inaugural campaign. Alex Sanna will act as soigneur race services and Ciaran Hanrahan-Powers will be head mechanic. Pedalhead Road Works bike shop of Edmonton will also support the team. Other supporters of the team include DT Swiss, SRI Importing, Jakroo Canada, and Clement Cycling. The team will of course race on Focus bikes.
Aaron Schooler represented Canada at the 2016 cyclocross world championships in Heusden-Zolder. To see the teams full racing schedule check out their website at focuscxcanada.com. Their season will begin at Rochester Cyclocross Sept. 10 and 11. Their 2016 campaign will continue at two North American cyclocross World Cups, CrossVegas in Las Vegas and UCI Telenet Cyclo-Cross World Cup in Iowa City.
