Cycling Canada announces 2018 men’s Olympic performance pool and NextGen squad
Five athletes will focus on building towards the Olympics while nine continue programs overall development
Cycling Canada have announced the roster for the men’s endurance program in 2018. The program is focused on developing Olympic talent while helping develop young riders for various disciplines. It’s a model used by Great Britain and Australia which resulted in Olympic success and the rapid development of cycling in those countries.
The Olympic Performance Pool consists of five riders aiming for the 2020 Tokyo games while the NextGen men’s track endurance team comprises of nine athletes. The athletes get personalized coaching and support throughout the year with an emphasis on being selected and performing at international events.
The 2018 Olympic performance pool athletes will have a firm focus on the track world championships, 2018 Commonwealth Games and the start of the Olympic qualification process. It’s the first year a firm distinction with the development program within Cycling Canada has been made.
Aidan Caves of Vancouver, Adam Jamieson of Barrie, Ont., Jay Lamoureux of Victoria, Bayley Simpson of Lindsay, Ont. and Derek Gee of Osgood, Ont. make up the Olympic pool. Caves, Gee and Simpson will race on Cycling Canada’s trade program Team RaceClean while Jamieson and Lamoureux will race on other programs.
The NextGen men’s track endurance program is in it’s third year and will continue to work towards developing a top men’s team pursuit program by feeding athletes to the Olympic pool.
Moving on from the program are Willem Boersma who is taking on a role at the family’s agricultural business. Will Elliot and Edward Walsh graduate to UCI continental level in Europe.
The NextGen program welcomes six new riders for 2018 with all racing with Team RaceClean for next season. The team will have two racing blocks in Europe. Athletes will also compete at track projects at T-Town (U.S.), Fiorenzuola (Italy) and Copa Cuba.
“I feel very motivated about the progression of the program,” said NextGen MTE coach Luc Arseneau. “The development of the top guys, along with the transfer of no less than six junior riders – four of whom were part of the Canadian team at the junior track world championships – shows the commitment to the goal of becoming a world class program.”
2018 NextGen squad
Adam Attwell – Victoria
Evan Burtnik – Edmonton
Gabriel Drapeau-Zgoralski – Verdun, Que.
Chris Ernst – Kitchener, Ont.
Michael Foley – Milton, Ont.
Tristan Guillemette – Trois-Rivières, Que.
Thierry Kirouac-Marcassa – Boucherville, Que.
Lucas Taylor – London, Ont.
John Willcox – North Vancouver
2018 Olympic performance pool
Aidan Caves of Vancouver
Adam Jamieson of Barrie, Ont.
Jay Lamoureux of Victoria
Bayley Simpson of Lindsay, Ont.
Derek Gee of Osgood, Ont.
