The country’s greatest honoured as Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame officially launches
Saturday marked the official unveiling of the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame, whose newly permanent home adorns the walls of the lobby at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre.
The main entryway of the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ont., leads to an impressive indoor space: ramps head up to a spacious infield area, stairways in either direction lead to a spectator area that wraps around the long, sloping track, and the facility itself bears the hallmark of a painstaking dedication to its purpose.
That purpose, of course, is a celebration of Canadian cycling, giving local atheltes a place to perfect their sport. And as of yesterday, the history of cycling in Canada, too, is enshrined almost immediately upon walking through the doors.
Saturday marked the official unveiling of the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame, whose newly permanent home adorns the walls of the lobby at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre. As athletes head through the doors, they’ll be reminded of the greats — both on and off the saddle — who blazed their sport’s trail in this country, enabling them to achieve their own greatness. As much as the training opportunities presented by the velodrome’s athletic facilities, it’s a connection to the past that serves as a driving force, too.
This year’s list of inductees is a star-studded one, rightly inaugurating the Cycling Hall of Fame by recognizing some of the greatest Canadians ever to ride a bike. 2015’s inductees include Steve Bauer, Tanya Dubnicoff, Curt Harnett, Marc Lemay, Jocelyn Lovell, Lori-Ann Muenzer, Torchy Peden, Gord Singleton and Alison Sydor, athletes — and in Lemay’s case, pioneers on the administrative side of the sport — who made cycling in Canada what it is today.
As their names were enshrined in Canadian sporting history, this year’s inductees were effusive at the honour of being so recognized.
“The inaugural ‘class of 2015’ being inducted into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame contains trailblazers, trendsetters and advocates,” Harnett said, “whose efforts and sacrifices set the stage for me to pursue my own cycling dreams and ambitions. It is humbling to stand beside them to receive this honour. Congratulations to all my fellow inductees and thank you to Cycling Canada for this recognition.”
Bauer, too, recognized the distinguishment — and humbly so, considering the roster of names with whom he shares it.
“I am delighted to be inducted with the inaugural class of exceptional individuals into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame,” the eleven-time Tour de France rider said. “This class of champions has all contributed uncharted greatness to our beloved sport.”
“It is especially touching for me to be inducted with Jocelyn Lovell,” he added, “one of my greatest mentors when I was a young athlete.”
Saturday’s unveiling of the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame represents the first phase of its roll-out, with furhter additions planned. In addition to the wall-mounted plagues celebrating these astounding athletes, a second phase will add a display cabinet, featuring Hall of Fame memorabilia, while a third will introduce an engaging, intuitive electronic display, enabling visitors to the Mattamy National Cycling Centre to learn about these Canadian titans of the saddle through videos, photos, biographies, and other information.
