Team BC’s talented young cyclists took to the tracks, showcasing their skills at the Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, from August 8 to 25, 2025, competing in both road and mountain biking disciplines. Our Team BC athletes, coaches, mechanics, and supporting staff put everything on the line and went up against their cohorts from across the nation, creating bonds and memories that will last a lifetime.
Road Cycling: Grit on the Pavement
The road cycling events—including the individual time trial, road race, and criterium—took place during Week 1 of the Games from August 11 to 15. The competition offered invaluable experience for BC’s young riders who gained exposure to a multi-event format and the dynamics of racing at a national multisport Games.
The road team was made up of the following members: on the men’s side, Sebastian Grund from New Westminster, Noam Ben-Shooshan and Andrew Lawson from North Vancouver, Xavier Fell from Vancouver, and Xavier Kelley from Victoria. The women’s side included Kimberly Chen from Victoria and Ellie Winchell from Powell River.
Coaching the team was Holly Henry from Victoria, with support from team manager Tara Mowat from Nelson and team mechanic Andrew Flowers from Victoria.
Kimberly Chen from Victoria, BC, had a standout performance by winning a gold medal in the women’s criterium race, while her fellow Team BC rider, Ellie Winchel from Powell River, finished in 6th place overall.
Mountain Biking: Podiums and Personal Achievements
On the mountain bike races—held between August 20 and 24—Team BC delivered some standout performances:
Women’s Cross-Country (XCO):
Lacey Dennis of Squamish brought home bronze in the XCO, right after gold and silver medalists from Quebec and Alberta, respectively. Ellie Winchell also rode strongly, finishing 6th.
The Team Relay event saw Team BC—represented by Brooke Bates of West Kelowna, Lacey Dennis, and Ellie Winchell—secure bronze with a time of 44:42.81, trailing Quebec and Ontario.
In the short-track race, Ellie Winchell’s strategic maneuvers and consistent pace allowed her to secure a well-deserved 3rd place finish. Dennis 5th, and Bates 12th—this achievement highlights their strong dedication and skill in the highly competitive field of MTB short-track racing.
Men’s Cross-Country (XCO):
Ethan Wood of Pemberton tallied bronze, finishing with a time of 1:31:05, narrowly edging behind Manitoba’s gold and Quebec’s silver
Men’s Team Relay:
Together, Rhett Bates from West Kelowna, Maddox Johnson from Fernie, and Ethan Wood powered BC to silver, crossing the line in 36:23.67, right behind Quebec’s winning time of 36:06.89.
Men’s Short-Track:
Ethan Wood delivered an impressive bronze medal performance, showcasing his exceptional speed and agility on the track. Johnson and Bates demonstrated remarkable endurance and skill, each securing a place in the top ten.
BC’s mountain biking team showed depth and promise for the future of mountain biking in Canada.
The Canada Summer Games hold a unique place in our national sports landscape—especially for emerging athletes. The Games act as a “mini-Olympics” for youth—a critical stepping-stone for future national and international stars. Young athletes experience the full suite: selection pressure, multi-event contest logistics, support systems, and the thrill of representing their province.
Beyond podiums and medal counts, the Games promote national unity, healthy lifestyles, and youth empowerment. They bring communities together in the spirit of friendship, resilience, and shared pride.
Team BC’s performances in St. John’s remind us of what’s possible when talent, opportunity, and support converge. Let’s continue to invest in our young athletes—through funding, coaching, community programs, and encouragement—to ensure the next generation has even brighter roads and trails to pedal.
Congratulations, Team BC!
