Canada makes selection for final rounds of the UCI Track World Cup in New Zealand and Hong Kong

The 2018-2019 UCI Track World Cup season is quickly coming to an end and for Canada, that means it’s athletes are heading for the final two rounds in Cambridge, New Zealand and Hong Kong with the continued goal of accumulating valuable Olympic qualifying points. The New Zealand round takes place Jan. 18 to 20 with Hong Kong the following week.

For the Cambridge World Cup, Canada will have members of the elite team for both the sprint and endurance events. Hugo Barrette won silver in the keirin at round two of the World Cup while Rio Olympic bronze medalists Allison Beveridge and Georgia Simmerling lead the endurance squad. Derek Gee who has finished top-10 at two World Cups this season in the Omnium will also ride for Canada. Canada will field both men’s and women’s team pursuits as they continue looking towards the Olympics.

“As one of the last two World Cups of the season, the Cambridge World Cup forms a critical part of World Championship and Olympic qualifying,” said men’s track endurance coach Jono Hailstone. “Cycling Canada is sending a strong contingent and will be looking to take advantage of a slightly weaker field outside of Europe to put some top results on the board.

The team has been in New Zealand for a week already putting in training hours in the warm climate. “Travelling to the Southern Hemisphere also provides the opportunity to log some training hours in a warm environment, which will greatly assist our preparation for the World Championships at the end of February,” Hailstone said.

The Hong Kong World Cup will give another opportunity to hone his form and get some more results before the World Championships. He earned a silver medal in Hong Kong at the World Cup in 2016. Aidan Caves will be Canada’s only endurance athlete in China and will continiue his pursuit of qualifying in the omnium for world’s. The women’s endurance team will be comosed of NextGen athletes as the program looks to continue to develop top talent.

“I am really excited to see what the NextGen group can do in Hong Kong,” said women’s NextGen coach Jenny Trew said. “Last year in Minsk the development team put together a fantastic ride in the team pursuit. We are early in the preparation camp, but I look forward to seeing how they can push each other over the next month to pull together a strong team performance.”

UCI Track World Cup Cambridge Canadian roster

Sprint
Hugo Barrette – Iles de la Madeleine, Que. [Sprint, Keirin]
Amelia Walsh – Ayr, Ont. [Team Sprint, Sprint (Keirin reserve)]
Lauriane Genest – Levis, Que. [Team Sprint, Sprint, Keirin]
Nick Wammes (P2M trade team) – Bothwell, Ont. [Sprint, Keirin]

Men’s Endurance
Derek Gee – Ottawa [Team Pursuit]
Adam Jamieson – Barrie, Ont. [Team Pursuit]
Aidan Caves – Vancouver [Team Pursuit (and Omnium reserve)]
Michael Foley – Milton, Ont. [Omnium]
Jay Lamoureux – Victoria [Team Pursuit]
Vincent De Haitre – Ottawa [Team Pursuit]

Women’s Endurance
Allison Beveridge – Calgary, AB [Omnium, Madison, Team Pursuit]
Steph Roorda – Vancouver, BC [Madison (Omnium reserve)]
Kinley Gibson – Edmonton, AB [Team Pursuit (Madison reserve)]
Ariane Bonhomme – Gatineau, QC [Team Pursuit]
Annie Foreman-Mackey – Kingston, ON [Team Pursuit]
Georgia Simmerling – Vancouver, BC [Team Pursuit]

UCI Track World Cup Hong Kong Canadian roster

Sprint
Hugo Barrette – Iles de la Madeleine, Que. [Sprint, Keirin]
Amelia Walsh – Ayr, Ont. [Team Sprint, Sprint (Keirin reserve)]
Kelsey Mitchell – Edmonton [Team Sprint, Sprint, Keirin]

Men’s Endurance
Aidan Caves – Vancouver [Omnium (Reserve: Michael Foley)]

Women’s Endurance
Fve NextGen riders will be selected at a later date to compete in team pursuit, omnium, scratch and Madison.