Cycling Canada announces squad for Tour de l’Abitibi
Famous junior stage race starts July 11
On Thursday, Cycling Canada announced its squad of six athletes to the Tour de l’Abitibi Junior men’s stage race. This is the first time in three years the race is back on. Team Canada riders will be competing in seven stages for a total distance of 679 km in Quebec’s Abitibi-Témiscamingue region from July 11-17.
The Canadian cycling body said that junior world champion and nine-time 2022 national track champion carson Mattern will be leading the team. He will be joined by 2022 national time trial champion Campbell Parish, road champion Felix Hamel, criterium champion Fergus English and multiple road and track medallist Gavin Hadfield. 17-year-old Sasha Renaud-Tremblay will also be joining the team.
“This year, we have some big engines entering the team with Gavin, Carson and Campbell who are all part of the Junior men’s Team Pursuit squad,” National team coach Nigel Ellsay said. “Felix and Sasha, our two Quebecers, will look to win on their provincial soil, while Fergus will debut in the maple leaf after a strong showing at Nationals. Look for the team to cause havoc in the breakaways while also looking to set up a sprinter.”
The Tour de l’Abitibi celebrates its 51st edition this year.Many accomplished riders have ridden the race, including Steve Bauer, Benoit Joachim, Laurent Jalabert, Andrew Hampsten, and Bobby Julich. Among some of the noted winners include Alex Stieda, Pierre Harvey, Michael Zanoli, Taylor Phinney and David Veilleux.
Team Canada
Fergus English – Saskatoon, SK
Gavin Hadfield – Peterborough, ON
Felix Hamel – Sainte-Julie, QC
Carson Mattern – Ancaster, ON
Campbell Parish – Vancouver, BC
Sasha Renaud-Tremblay – Blainville, QC
Coach – Dave Jack
