Olympic podiums the goal of new NextGen program
It’s a lofty goal and vision: “To create a world class men’s track endurance program that will be medal-competitive by the Tokyo Olympic Games.”
by Kevin Mackinnon
It’s a lofty goal and vision: “To create a world class men’s track endurance program that will be medal-competitive by the Tokyo Olympic Games.” On Monday, Ian Melvin (men’s endurance track coach) and Luc Arseneau (men’s endurance road coach) saw their vision taking shape. The new velodrome in Milton served as the sending off spot for the seven athletes who are part of the NextGen under-23 program as they began their first foray as a team over to Europe. They will compete in a number of top-flight European events including the Tour of Flanders, ZLM Tour and An Ras Post (the Tour of Ireland).
Included on the team are Aidan Caves (B.C.), Alexander Cowan (Alta.), William Elliott (Ont.), Adam Jamieson (Ont.), Eric Johnstone (Alta.) , Sean Mackinnon (Ont.) and Edward Walsh (N.S.).
“This is a culmination of 12 months of work, where Luc and I can finally say we have a program,” Melvin says. “We sold the vision to these kids. We have worked closely with these athletes over the last few years and they firmly believe in the vision we’re selling to them, and we firmly believe in them as athletes.”
The goal of the NextGen program is to develop world championship and Olympic podium athletes who can compete at the professional level. One of the challenges Melvin and Arseneau face every year is trying to put a national team program together when all the top Canadian riders compete for a variety of different clubs. Now Arseneau and Melvin can now customize the schedule.
“This is a tool that is going to help us achieve our goals,” says Arseneau. “We’ve always wanted to have the tools to help us get medals and have athletes turn pro. Now we’ve been given the permission to go ahead. We can’t rely on other teams and people to do it. Today is the start line.”
That “start line” doesn’t come without pressure.
“Right now we’ve achieved nothing,” Melvin continues. “We’ve got a group of riders together and they’re wearing the same uniform. Today is Day 1. Ask us again in 12 months, 18 months, 24 months: ‘Have we achieved our goals?’ and I believe, honestly, we’ll be able to say ‘yes.’ We know what these kids can do. What they’ve needed, and haven’t been presented in the past, is a consistent opportunity, a vehicle to ply their trade. We’re not demanding results tomorrow, or even this year.”
Both Arseneau and Melvin feel very strongly that the combined program will provide the best opportunity for athlete development. After watching countries such as New Zealand, Britain, Holland, Belgium, Russia and Switzerland develop world class riders through similar programs, the two Canadian coaches are confident they can develop world-class track riders who will excel on the road in future years.
Some of the rider’s equipment has been supplied and paid for by Racer Sportif and a group of patrons who stepped up this winter and committed to support the athletes for the next three years. As part of that deal, the athletes will be riding Aquila bicycles.
“We’re not reinventing the wheel, but I wouldn’t say that we’re replicating anyone’s program, either,” says Melvin. “We’re doing something that is Canadian, but has the flavour of many other programs around the world.”
