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National Cycling Center Hamilton to expand in a mission to continue developing Canadian riders

Centres to open in Burlington and Brantford in September

National Cycling Centre Hamilton NCCH

National Cycling Centre Hamilton NCCH

The National Cycling Centre Hamilton (NCCH) is expanding thanks to its continued success opening up satellite training centres in Burlington and Brantford, Ont., in September. The new locations will offer cycling programs for youth, adults and seniors of varying abilities. “With all that we have been able to accomplish in Hamilton, it was time to offer our services to these adjacent communities,” stated NCCH president, Ward Black. “Both the city and the school board in Brantford are giving us an enthusiastic welcome, and we are in process of finalizing a location in Burlington as well.”

The center has a long list of accomplishments saying that NCCH trained athletes have stepped onto the podium 593 times in the past 18 months with medals won at local, provincial, national and international levels. Perhaps the most notable NCCH graduate is Benjamin Perry of Silber Pro Cycling but continues to be trained by NCCH head coach Rick Lee.

Image: Silber Pro Cycling
Image: Silber Pro Cycling

Perry took home in third under-23 Canadian road race championship in June along with the elite criterium championship title for the second year in a row. At the Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay, the St. Catharines native finished second overall, was the best young rider at the Philadelphia Cycling Classic and in 2015 he took the king of the mountains jersey at the Tour of Alberta as well as a stage win at the Tour de Beauce. “Ben is on the verge of a full Professional career, and it is very humbling to see the progress this young athlete has made since NCCH started working with him as a raw 15 year old,” said Lee.

Jack Burke, another graduate of the center, moved up to H & R Block Pro Cycling. He won the B.C. provincial time trial championship and was second in the time trial at Canadian nationals in the U23 category. Adam Jamieson, another young rider from the center joined the Canadian track cycling team and rides for the U23 Team RaceCleam. Jamieson helped Canada win a bronze at the Pan Am Games. Jordan Jones is a young rider whose career is progressing nicely taking the win in the national junior men’s time trial and finishing second in the road race. He has represented Canada twice at the world junior track championships with a fourth place finish in the scratch race in 2015.

The NCCH had it’s start with a grant made possible through the 2003 world cycling championships held in Hamilton. The center became self-sufficient three years ago. Lee has been the head coach for six years providing a valuable level of stability actively developing riders to become coaches. “This is part of the longer term plan so that the programs remain sustainable into the future,” said Lee. There are now 30 riders and parents who have become certified coaches.

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