Cycling Canada sending eight junior riders to the road world championships in Richmond

Eight of the nation’s junior riders will be heading to Richmond, Va., in September to represent Canada at the road world championships.

The women’s squad will include Gillian Ellsay (18, Courtenay, B.C.), Liah Harvie (17, Banff, Alta.), Katherine Maine (17, Ottawa) and Gabby Traxler (17, Calgary). Willem Boersma (18, Portage-la-Prairie, Man.), Derek Gee (18, Osgoode, Ont.), Adam Roberge (18, Prévost, Que.) and Joel Taylor (18, Victoria) are on the men’s team. All riders will compete in their respective road races, woemen’s on Sept. 25 and the men’s on Sept. 26. Ellsay and Harvie will also compete in the time trial on Sept. 21. One the men’s side, Gee and Taylor will race against the clock on Sept. 22.

Preparation for worlds will begin with the Green Mountain Stage Race, which runs in Vermont from Sept. 4 to 7. Then, it’s back to Canada for a training camp in Bromont, Que. The prep will conclude in Montreal with the Critérium National on Sept. 12, part of the events linked to the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal.

Coach Denise Kelly will lead the women, while Luc Arseneau will be in charge of the men at worlds.

On the elite side, Canada will be sending a full complement of six yet-to-be-announced riders.