Danick Vandale to ride for H&R Block Pro Cycling

H&R Block Pro Cycling Team has announced another addition to its 2016 roster, welcoming Danick Vandale to its ranks. The young rider joins H&R Block after competing in Russ Hay’s Cycling Team colours last season.

“I am very excited to become part of the H&R Block Pro Cycling Team,” Vandale said. “This opportunity will allow me to continue to pursue my road cycling aspirations to the next level, as this team will be expanding my cycling experience and exposure across North America. Although I have only been cycling for three years, I have learned so much from my past teammates riding for Accent Inns Russ Hay’s Cycling Team.”

“I am ready to take on this next level of challenge with my new temmates,” he added, “whom I look forward to meeting and racing with in 2016.”

Very excited to be racing the 2016 season with @M1ProCycling. It's going to be a great year! https://t.co/dY3lKKK92d

— danick vandale (@danickvandale) November 30, 2015

Team officials with H&R Block Pro Cycling took particular note of Vandale’s spirited competitive nature, something that has been on display repeatedly over the last couple of seasons. In 2014, the Winnipeg-based rider was crowned the U23 Canadian cyclocross champion. This past season, at the Western Canada Games, Vandale took gold in the individual time trial, and in individual general classification, pulled off an impressive second.

That competitive edge is exactly what H&R Block Pro Cycling Team is looking for in prospective riders, principals say. “Seeing Danick come second to Peter Disera,” said Mark Ernsting, the team’s director, “one of our current and returning riders, at [the] U23 Canadian cyclocross national championships, along with demonstrating his win in the individual time trial at the Western Canada Games, shows me that he has the ability to maintain a high level of output over such distances.”

Jon Watkin, meanwhile, team director of Russ Hay’s Cycling Team, says the same was true for Vandale when he rode in the team’s colours—and notes that Vandale’s success is a testament to Russ Hay’s mandate to support emerging cycling talent. “We are immensely pleased that Danick has been given an opportunity to race at the professional level of cycling,” Watkin said. “This affirms the success of our program to develop and transition promising amateur road cycling talent in western Canada.”

“We are proud of Danick’s accomplishments and look forward to following his cycling career as it continues to grow,” he said.