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Derek Gee, national Junior ITT champion, among the roster of Giant Langley/SmartSavvy+ riders in 2016

With the sophomore season for B.C.-based U23 squad Giant Langley/SmartSavvy+ on the horizon, officials have announced the roster of incoming riders, both new and returning, who will steer the team's fortunes in 2016.

Derek Gee claims the podium at the Green Mountain Stage Race. (Image: Cycling Canada/Twitter
Derek Gee claims the podium at the Green Mountain Stage Race. (Image: Cycling Canada/Twitter

With the sophomore season for B.C.-based U23 squad Giant Langley/SmartSavvy+ on the horizon, officials have announced the roster of incoming riders, both new and returning, who will steer the team’s fortunes in 2016.

A squad composed of many student athletes, it’s a team, they say, working with the principle that success off the saddle is as vital as winning.

“They are achieving high academics, who happen to be really fast on their bikes too,” said Rob Thomson, the team’s marketing director. “So we are making sure that the student athlete is captured, and is able to continue their development at the highest levels of the sport without sacrificing one for the other.”

Their first season saw several highlights for Giant Langley/SmartSavvy+, with strong performances at several high-profile races. At the Junior national championships, Mason Burtnik, for example, turned in an impressive ride that earned him an invitation to represent Canada, before a lung infection sidelined him from contention at the worlds. Nonetheless, his 2015 season marked by such high points, the young rider will be back in 2016 as a neo U23 racer, along with BC Superweek powerhouse Joshua Kropf.

Derek Gee, the reigning Junior ITT national champion, brings a wealth of experience at the global level to the young team in 2016, after a season that took him around Europe and to the 2015 world championships. “Gee is a tremendous talent,” Thomson said, remarking on Gee’s signing. “He brings an unmatched work ethic, and will fit in well with our culture of pursuing excellence.”

The remaining roster coming to Giant Langley/SmartSavvy+ in 2016 represent some of western Canada’s best, with Calgary’s Connor Topping kicking off his second U23 season with the team next year, along with Victoria’s Alex Amiri and Lukas Adomanis. Other up-and-coming U23 talent includes Saskatoon’s Lukas conly, Kellen Viznaugh of Revelstoke, BC and Chris MacLeod from Victoria.

Giant Langley/SmartSavvy+ is presented by Wounded Warriors Canada.