Global Relay Bridge-the-Gap announces 2017 athletes

Following its fourth season actively supporting Canadian cyclists through the Bridge-the-Gap program, Global Relay announced the athletes who would be supported in 2017 and that it’s extended the program for another four years. Bridge-the-Gap graduated four cyclists to the professional ranks following the 2016 season and welcomes it’s biggest class yet in 2017.

In 2017, the program welcomes 14 new riders for a record class size of 33 riders, 17 men and 16 women from across the country. Nigel Elsay, Alex Cataford, Ben Perry, and Annie Foreman-Mackie are amoung the riders becoming alumni. Bridge-the-Gap will also support grassroots cycling development initiatives by providing youth cycling clubs with financial and coaching resources. Ellen Watters who passed away after being hit by a passing car on December 27, 2016 was set to be one of the riders supported by the program in 2017. “Moving forward, the board will endeavour to honour Ellen’s memory by specifically supporting a rider with the similar characteristics to Ellen, a talented late bloomer in the sport,” Bridge-the-Gap announced in a press release.

Bridge the Gap director Andrew Pinfold expressed his confidence in the impact the program has had in its role developing cycling in Canada by supporting promising athletes, youth program’s and development initiatives. “I want to thank Global Relay for continuing to support this important program for another four years,” he said. “In 2012, they took a chance and invested in our ideas about how to progress cycling in Canada. I am proud of the success and progress that we have been a part of since then and I am excited about what is to come.”

Bridge-the-Gap was launched in 2012 by Global Relay with the support of current and former Canadian cycling professionals Svein Tuft (Orica-Scott), Ryan Anderson (Direct Energie), Will Routley, Erinne Willock and Andrew Pinfold with a mission, “To facilitate the advancement of aspiring Canadian Olympic road cyclists through mentorship, coaching, and financial support.” Since it’s inception 23 cyclists supported by the program have secured living wages from professional teams.

“We have been very impressed by the work Bridge the Gap has done to advance cycling in Canada during the past four years and we are excited to extend our support to 2020,” said Global Relay CEO Warren Roy. “Over the years, it’s been a thrill to watch so many of the Fund’s athletes advance their careers and achieve fantastic results. As a company, to help so many up-and-coming Canadian riders work towards their dreams is important for us as one of the biggest supporters of competitive cycling in Canada. We’re committed to helping people reach their potential and wish all our riders the best of luck in 2017.”

On the fund’s board, Will Routley steps down to a role on the programs advisory council. Kevin Field takes his place. Field has experience working with Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefits Strategies, Team SpiderTech Powered by C10, Slipstream Sports, Trek-Livestrong Cycling Team and Symmetrics Professional Cycling Team. As one of four Canadians certified by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) as a professional sports director. In 2015 he was named directeur sportif for the men’s program at Cycling Canada.

To support the development of youth cycling in Canada, a youth club seeding fund was launched in 2015. The goal is to boost and sustain the number of young cyclists involved in the sport at a competitive level. In 2017, Bridge-the-Gap will support the Ottawa Bicycle Club, the Ukon Echelon Cycling based in Whitehorse, Team Kallisto-FCV powered by Toyo Tires in London, Ont., and the Red Devils Cycling Academy in Kelowna, B.C.

The fund will also provide a two-year grant to support youth stage racing in Western Canada by launching the Hayman Classic in Penticton, B.C. (June 9 to 11) will cater to under-15 boys and girls, U17 boys and girls, and U19 girls. It will also support the BC Youth Superweek in Series.

2017 Global Relay Bridge-the-Gap Roster

Adam Jamieson – Barrie, Ont. – An Post ChainReaction
Adam Roberge – Prévost, Que. – Silber Pro Cycling
Alec Cowan – Calgary – Silber Pro Cycling
Alison Jackson – Vermilion, Alb. – Bepink – Cogeas Pro Cycling
Alizée Brien – Val-David, Que – TBA
Anika Todd – Victoria, B.C. -Trek Red Truck Racing Team
Ariane Bonhomme – Gatineau, Que. – The Cyclery-Opus
Catherine Ouellette – St-Lambert, Que. – The Cyclery-Opus
Conor O’Brien – Ottawa – Team H&R Block
Danick Vandale – Winnipeg – Silber Pro Cycling
Derek Gee – Osgoode, Ont. – RaceClean / NextGen MTE
Edward Walsh – Halifax – Team RaceClean
Elliott Doyle – St-Gédéon, Que. – Garneau-Quebecor
Emeliah Harvie – Banff, Alb. – TBA
Emily Flynn – Winchester, Ont. – The Cyclery-Opus
Gabby Traxler – Calgary, Alb. – Trek Red Truck Racing
Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin – St Augustin de Desmaure, Que. – Cervelo – Bigla Pro Cycling
Gillian Ellsay – Courtenay, B.C. – Team Colavita – Bianchi
Jack Burke – Squamish, B.C. – Aevolo Pro Cycling Team
Jordan Cheyne – Kelowna, B.C. – Jelly Belly powered by Maxxis
Jordann Jones – Jerseyville, Ont. – Team NCCH powered by Morning Glory
Katherine Maine – Ottawa – Rally Pro Cycling
Kinley Gibson – Edmonton, Alb. – The Cyclery – Opus
Laurent Gervais – Lorraine, Que. – Aevolo Pro Cycling Team
Lex Albrecht – Montreal – Tibco–Silicon Valley Bank
Matthew Staples – Oro-Medonte, Ont. – Team H&R Block
Nickolas Zukowsky – Ste-Lucie des Laurentides, Que. –  Silber Pro Cycling
Oliver Evans – Winnipeg – Team H&R Block
Pier-André Côté – Saint-Henri de Lévis, Que. – Silber Pro Cycling
Sara Bergen – Vancouver, B.C. – Rally Pro Cycling
Sara Giovannetti – Mississauga, Ont. – The Cyclery-OPUS
Sara Poidevin – Canmore, Alb. – Rally Pro Cycling
Sean Mackinnon – Hamilton – An Post ChainReaction

Bridge the Gap Professional Alumni

Adam de Vos – Victoria – Rally Pro Cycling
Alex Cataford – Ottawa – Team UnitedHealthCare
Annie Ewart – Victoria – Retired
Annie Foreman-Mackey – Kingston, Ont. -Sho-Air Twenty20
Bailey McKnight – Calgary – Retired
Benjamin Perry – St. Catharines, Ont. – The Cycling Academy
Denise Ramsden – Yellowknife – Retired
Garrett Mcleod – Wolfville, N.S. – Retired
Joelle Numainville – Laval, Que. – Cylance Pro Cycling
Kris Dahl – Calgary – Rally Pro Cycling
Leah Kirchmann – Winnipeg – Team Sunweb
Matteo Dal-Cin – Ottawa – Rally Pro Cycling
Nigel Elsay – Courtenay, B.C. – Silber Pro Cycling
Stuart Wright – Riverview, N.B. – Retired
Travis Samuel – Peterborough, Ont. – Team H&R Block