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Eight Canadian junior riders to hit the road world championships in Qatar this October

Four women and four men with represent Canada at the Road Cycling World Championships, happening from October 9 to 16

Maggie Coles-Lyster third from the left on the podium for the junior women's team sprint
Maggie Coles-Lyster, third from the left on the podium for the junior women’s team sprint, is off to Doha, Qatar in October.

The world’s junior road talent will descend on Doha, Qatar in October, taking to the asphalt for the 2016 road cycling world championships, from Oct. 9 to Oct. 16. Eight Canadian riders— four male and four female athletes—will be among them.

In Doha, all eight are expected to compete in the road race, while two men and two women will also take to the time trial. On the women’s side, the squad is headed up by national road champion Erin Attwell of Victoria, who will be one of the riders competing in both the road race and the time trial. Joining her in both competitions is Laurie Jussaume, representing Contrecoeur, Que., while Maggie Coles-Lyster of Maple Ridge, B.C., and Devaney Collier of Edmonton round out Canada’s women’s road contingent.

Matthew Staples of Oro-Medonte, Ont., and Nickolas Zukowksy of Dundas, Ont., meanwhile, will compete in both the road race and time trial for the men’s squad. The two riders will be joined by national champion Thierry Kirouac-Marcassa of Boucherville, Que., and Charles-Etienne Chretien of Amos, Que., for the men’s race.

To Linda Jackson, chair of the Hamilton Foundation—a legacy foundation from the 2003 road world championships in Hamilton that can support riders with as much as $40,000 in funding—the Canadian talent heading to Qatar in October exemplifies what the organization is all about.

“The biggest barrier for junior athletes is the lack of funding they need to help them pursue their dreams of becoming top international, elite-level athletes. The development process in cycling can be several years and requires significant resources. The Hamilton Road Foundation is pleased to provide financial support to these selected athletes as they prepare to compete at the world championships in Doha in October,” she said.

The junior women are heading to Belgium on Sept. 21 for a preparation camp. The junior men have been racing in Europe and are now pursuing their individual programs. All athletes will touch down in Qatar on Oct. 7.