The Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine crits are cancelled for 2022
The popular race series in Montreal has been on hiatus for two years
The Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine organizers have officially announced that there will be no races for the 2022 season. In a statement, the group behind the event said that after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic and the uncertainty related to the health measures that were lifted in the spring, the organization could not gather everything needed to launch a series of races for the 2022 season. The event organizers will use this opportunity to restructure the organization. Although there was speculation that the race would be cancelled way back in May, the organizers still had hope they could pull something off for this year.
“We would have liked to present races this year; however, the final product could not have lived up to what has become Les Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine. We will continue to work on the next version of the series, reworking the basics and making sure to review and update every aspect of the event,” Charles Coffin, vice president and race director said. “In collaboration with the borough of Lachine and the city of Montreal, we want to ensure that the citizens can benefit from the positive impacts of the event. The objective is to promote the borough of Lachine and to produce an event that the community will be proud of while pursuing the springboard of cycling development initiated by its founder who ensured the series for more than 40 years.
“Les Mardis Cyclistes is an integral part of Lachine, and we are pleased with our collaboration with the Néron family, the organizers of the event. Together, we are already working so that the Mardis de Lachine return in full force next year and be better than ever!” the mayor of Lachine, Maja Vodanovic said.
Taking the event over from the founder, the venerable Joseph “Tino” Rossi, was a major challenge for the Néron family and its associates, but a challenge they were ready to take on.
“We have never taken lightly the privilege of ensuring the perpetuity of the event nor the responsibilities attached to it. The world has changed after these two years of pandemic, and we must adapt every detail to ensure safety, equality, and sportsmanship and ensure that we serve the cycling community as well as all citizens who participate directly or indirectly in the success of the Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine. Fortunately, we have always had unconditional support from the borough of Lachine and the City of Montreal. Although the names and faces may have changed, the spirit of collaboration is alive and well, as is the enthusiasm for the future of the event.” Jean-François Néron, president of Les Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine said.
“We are very disappointed that this event, which is a favourite among our cycling community, is sidelined for a third season, but we understand the decision and the many constraints faced by the organizing committee. That said, we are pleased that the city has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Mardis Cyclistes de Lachine and will continue to collaborate to ensure that the series of 10 races returns as early as 2023. The Mardis Cyclistes has more than 40 years of history, and it would have been inconceivable that the series comes to an end when cycling is more popular than ever,” Louis Barbeau, general manager of the fédération québecoise des sports cyclistes, said.
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