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Quebecers Anne-Julie Tremblay and Felix Burke win first gold medals of 2017 Canada Games

Quebec and Ontario split medals in XC mountain bike events in Winnipeg

Canada Games
July 31, 2017
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Canada’s next generation of athletes are gathered in Winnipeg, Manitoba for the 2017 Canada Summer Games. The first medals of the competition in which under-23 athletes from across the country compete representing their provinces were awarded on Sunday in the cross country mountain bike races. Quebec riders took both titles with three athletes from La Belle Province taking home medals equal to the three medals Ontario earned.

The race was held at the Bison Butte mountain bike course outside of Winnipeg. Under sunny skies in very hot conditions, racers tackled a six kilometre exposed course which featured short, steep climbs and technical descents. Both the men and women raced for five laps after the men’s race was shortened because of the stiffing hot conditions.

In the women’s race, Anne-Julie Tremblay of Team Quebec stormed to an early lead chased by chased by Team Ontario riders Jenn Jackson, the under-23 Canadian champion, and Soren Meeuwisse. Tremblay held off the pair of teammates to take the first gold medal of the Canada games 45 seconds ahead of Jackson. Meeuwisse took bronze 23 seconds behind her provincial teammate.

“I’m very happy to take the first gold medal of these games for Team Quebec,” said Tremblay who competed internationally at rounds of the World Cup earlier in the season. “I think now for the team relay this will give us a lot of motivation, because Marine [Lewis, Team Quebec] also had a good race in fourth place. The course was very good and they did a lot without a lot of features to work with.”

Felix Burke continued the good day for Team Quebec winning the men’s race in a similar manner as his teammate. National junior champion Brody Sanderson of Team Ontario finished with the silver medal 17 seconds behind Burke. Team Quebec’s Felix Belhumeur finished third earning the bronze medal 10 seconds behind Sanderson.

“I’m over the moon,” said Burke, “this is a really special win for me. I’m so excited, and I wanted to pay back my team, my sponsors and my family. I couldn’t have gone harder and it’s always a good feeling to cross the finish line and know that you gave everything you had out there. The heat was a huge factor. Starting on the third lap I was alone on the front, but I didn’t want to let up and I could feel the heat,” he explained of the challenging conditions. “I could tell it was going to be a sufferfest.”

Cycling events continue on Tuesday with the team relay races. The road cycling events take place next week.