Top 10 Canadian moments in mountain biking 2017
Looking back at a big year in Canadian mountain biking
2017 was an exciting year for Canadian mountain biking, with both young talent and experienced racers producing big results. From XC to Downhill, honouring a Canadian racing legend, and a Redbull Rampage record, here’s 10 standout moments from a great year for Canadian mountain biking.
Miranda Miller wins downhill world championships
Miranda Miller signed on with Specialized for her first fully supported year of downhill racing and stepped up when it mattered most to take the rainbow jersey in Cairns, Australia. After years of setbacks and injury, Miller took advantage of having the full backing of Specialized Gravity to bring home Canada’s first downhill world championship in 27 years, following Cindy Devine’s win in 1990. Watch Miller’s winning run from Cairns, then read Canadian Cycling Magazine’s spotlight feature on the Squamish based athlete following her win.
Jesse Melamed wins EWS Whistler in front of home crowd
After a tough Enduro World Series season plagued by untimely mechanicals and near misses, and after coming painfully close to winning in Whistler last year, everything finally lined up for Melamed at the notoriously demanding EWS Whistler. Taking his first EWS win in front of a home crowd added special meaning for Melamed, making it one of 2017’s feel good moments.
Finn Iles – World Cup Junior series overall title
Finn Iles won a staggering seven World Cup rounds in the eight event series to claim the series overall title. Matt Walker skewered a series sweep, pushing Iles to second in Fort William, but Whistler’s multiple time world champion had wrapped up the points overall mid-way through the season. Showing such consistency reaffirms Illes is one to watch out for when he moves into the senior ranks.
Holden Jones – 3rd Junior Men’s XC world championships
Returning to Cairns world championships, Holden Jones brought home Canada’s first medal at the event, taking bronze in in a dustbowl battle down under. The Squamish, B.C. local took the race to the field, breaking away with Joel Roth of Switzerland by the end of the first lap. The duo rode together until the last lap, when Roth attacked and Jones held on to finish third.
Steve Smith Bike Park opening
It’s fitting that a breakthrough year for Canadian DH saw the park honouring the Canadian Chainsaw open in his hometown Nanaimo. With a build crew featuring Claudio Caluori, and Island locals, Jordie Lunn, and Darren Berrecloth, the Steve Smith Bike Park features several dirt jump lines, and two asphalt pumptracks built by Claudio Caluori and Velosolutions. An international crew of mountain biking elite joined the crowd of local kids and riders to watch Teanna Smith, Steve’s Mom, officially open the park, which should serve as an excellent legacy to Steve for years to come.
Kurt Sorge wins Red Bull Rampage
Canadian freerider Kurt Sorge threw down an effortless looking run through the Utah cliffs, culminating in a huge backflip no-hander. It was an impressive run, and one that earned the Kootenay based rider his third Red Bull Rampage crown. Sorge is now the iconic events only three time winner.
Cory Wallace wins 24-hour solo mountain bike world championships
Banff’s Cory Wallace has taken a couple runs at 24-hour solo worlds, narrowly missing out to Jason English at the Rotorura, N.Z. event in 2016. Like in Rotorura, Wallace again battled with English this year in Finale Ligure, this time coming out on top. Wallace heads to Scotland to defend his title in 2018.
Mark Wallace’s breakthrough 2017 downhill season
Mark Wallace has been pushing at the edges of World Cup downhill racings upper echelon for a couple years now, but 2017 saw Wallace deliver in a big way all year. A confidence boost from some early season weather luck seemed to push Wallace from a rider with promise to realizing his potential as a proper World Cup contender. Wallace stayed near the front all year, finish the season ranked 9th in the series overall points classification.
Casey Brown and Andréane Lanthier Nadeau hit EWS podium
Both riders took advantage of their limited EWS appearances in 2017, with Brown finishing third in Aspen Snowmass, C.O. and ALN third at County Wicklow, Ireland. Showing quick speed after recovering from early season injury, ALN followed up her Wicklow result with a stage win and fourth overall in Millau, France.
Anne-Julie Tremblay sweeps Canada Games
Canada Games are one of the best stepping stones for U23 athletes looking to break out on the National scene. At this summer’s Canada Games in Winnipeg, Anne-Julie Tremblay swept all three mountain bike events. Tremblay won the XC and the XC Eliminator style event, as well as winning the XC relay event with her Quebec teammates.
