Global Relay Bridge the Gap adds 10 athletes for 2016

Ten athletes were added to the Global Relay Bridge the Gap roster for 2016. The program helps young athletes to progress within cycling by providing access to coaching, advice and equipment.

Program director Andrew Pinfold recently graduated eight riders from the elite program to professional contracts including Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin (Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling Team), Adam de Vos (Rally Pro Cycling) who finished ninth at the U23 world championships, and Tour de Beauce stage winner and Canadian under-23 road champion Ben Perry (Silber Pro Cycling). Canadian road national champion Joëlle Numainville, who finished 11th at the 2015 elite women’s world championships, and Leah Kirchman, who is off to an excellent start with her new Liv-Plantur team, are both graduates of Bridge the Gap.

“The support I’ve received over the past years has been a key resource to me while making the steps towards a pro career. Receiving mentorship from board members has been invaluable for everything from race insight to personal connections,” de Vos said. “Financially, the fund has allowed me to attend multiple national team projects, most recently the Pan Am championships and world championships in 2015, as well as the Montreal and Quebec WorldTour races. Without these opportunities, my success at the worlds would not have been possible. I’m grateful and excited to have been one of the original supported athletes and to now be transitioning into a new graduate role as part of the Bridge the Gap fund.”

The 10 athletes who were added to Bridge the Gaps’ roster include the following:

Jordan Cheyne, 24, (Kelowna, B.C.), Jelly Belly Pro Cycling
Alec Cowan, 19, (Calgary), Canada NextGen
Elliot Doyle, 22, (Alma, Que.), Silber Pro Cycling
Gillian Ellsay, 18, (Courtenay, B.C.), Trek-Red Truck/ Canada NextGen
Derek Gee, 18, (Osgoode, Ont.), Team Giant Langley / SmartSavvy
Emeliah Harvie, 19, (Banff, Alta.), Stevens Racing P/B The Cyclery
Emile Jean, 22, (Trois-Rivieres, Que.), Silber Pro Cycling
Katherine Maine, 20, (Ottawa), Rally Pro Cycling
Nicolas Masbourain, 22, (Montreal), Silber Pro Cycling
Cath Ouellette, 19, (Montreal), Rally Pro Cycling

“We’re pleased to welcome our new riders from across Canada to the Bridge the Gap Program,” said Global Relay CEO Warren Roy. “It’s been a thrill to help so many up-and-coming Canadian cyclists work towards their dreams and achieve their goals of riding professionally because, as a company and as one of the biggest supporters of competitive cycling in Canada, we’re committed to helping people reach their potential. We wish all our riders the best of luck in 2016.”

Bridge the Gap is supported by current Canadian professionals Svein Tuft (Orica-GreenEdge), Will Routley (Rally Pro Cycling), Ryan Anderson (Direct Energie), and former pros Erinne Willock and Andrew Pinfold who serve on the board. The program was created in 2012 by Vancouver tech company Global Relay and looks to provide access to the resources and networks necessary for Canadian cyclists aged 19 to 25 to go professional.

2016 Global Relay Bridge-The-Gap Riders