Canada’s newest UCI team, Probaclac-Devinci
All Canadian 10 rider squad debuts with UCI continental status
Canada has another UCI registered men’s team as Probaclac-Devinci have been awarded continental statues for 2018. The team composed of all Canadian riders joins H&R Block and Silber Pro Cycling as Canada’s UCI continental teams. Garneau-Quebecor which held UCI continental status in 2017 is no longer listed as a UCI team.
Probaclac-Devinci was able to make the jump thanks to Probaclac coming on as a sponsor. The Quebec company makes probiotic products. Longtime partners of the program Devinci will stay on as bike sponsor in 2018. The team is committed to helping its young athletes balance cycling and their studies.
“Cyclists’ careers are getting longer and it is inconceivable that a young athlete sacrifices his studies to devote himself solely to his studies. We prefer to offer a shorter schedule to athletes and allow them to progress on both counts at the same time,” said team owner Stéphan Tremblay.
The 10 rider team consists of four newcomers and six returning riders from 2017. Connor Toppings, 21, Silber Pro Cycling alumni Julien Gagné, 23, former Garneau-Quebecor rider Olivier Brisebois, 22, and Édouard Beaudoin, 18, join the team for 2018. Returning riders include Hendrik Pineda, 22, Stephen Keeping, 31, Max Rubarth, 21, Olivier Peloquin, 21, Felix Dolbec, 20, and Francis Izquierdo-Bernier, 19.
The team says it will race a condensed schedule in 2018 allowing the riders to balance their studies with their cycling careers. You can follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
