Cycling Canada and Argon 18 Shine International Spotlight on Canadian Clubs
Five Canadians will represent their home cycling clubs on the world stage of the 2022 UCI Track Champions League as part of a unique community fundraiser presented by Cycling Canada, Argon 18 and VéloColour from Nov. 11-Dec. 12.
Cycling Canada recognizes and celebrates the critical role cycling clubs play in supporting athlete development and growing the sport nationwide. The Canadians participating in the 2022 UCI Track Champions League will receive a custom-painted frame in the colours of their home club to ride for the duration of the series. The frames are up for auction online and proceeds will go directly to support each athlete’s respective club.
“All athletes start their sport journey at community clubs, which are the heart and soul of sport in Canada. This initiative recognizes clubs for their enormous dedication and provides direct support for current and future programming. Communities thrive when people thrive, and sport is key to a collective thriving state for all.” – Robyn Skinner, Cycling Canada Director of Community Growth and Engagement
The athletes and clubs participating in the auction are:
Athlete: Dylan Bibic – Mississauga, ON
Club: National Cycling Institute Milton – Milton, ON
Athlete: Maggie Coles-Lyster – Maple Ridge, BC
Club: Burnaby Velodrome Club – Burnaby, BC
Athlete: Mathias Guillemette – Trois-Rivières, QC
Club: Centre National de Cyclisme de Bromont – Bromont, QC
Athlete: Sarah van Dam – Victoria, BC
Club: Tripleshot Cycling – Victoria, BC
Athlete: Kelsey Mitchell – Sherwood Park, AB
Club: Juventus Cycling Club – Edmonton, AB
“The first track you ride, the place you spend so much time improving and learning definitely has a special place in your heart,” said Coles-Lyster. “Being able to ride a custom-painted frame at the UCI Track Champions League really feels like everything coming full circle, to be able to bring a piece of where it all started for me and the people involved who helped me get to where I am today on the road with me.”
Bidding for each frame starts at $5,000 CAD and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 12. The winners of each respective auction will receive the athletes’ custom-painted frame to proudly display on their wall – or ride! – as well as two VIP tickets to the Tissot UCI Track Nations Cup in Milton, ON, to be held on April 20-23, 2023. This event will include a formal presentation of each frame to bid winners.
“As a Canadian-based company, partnering with Cycling Canada is a great source of pride and it is natural for us to answer the call and get involved with this fundraiser held during the Track Champions League. It’s one of the ways we can give back to the community that has helped us become the company we now are.” – Alain Pelletier, Argon 18 Vice President of Marketing
Click here to learn more about the auction and place your bid today.
The 2022 UCI Track Champions League begins on Nov. 12 in Mallorca, ESP, before continuing on to Berlin, GER, and Paris, FRA. The series concludes on Dec. 3 after two races in London, GBR. For more information about the 2022 UCI Track Champions League, click here.
Interested in joining or supporting your local cycling club? Visit your Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO) to find one near you.
“VéloColour has painted bikes for national champions, Olympic cyclists and even the Pope but what we love most about this project is how much these bikes will benefit grassroots cycling Canada-wide. This project began with each rider’s home club as inspiration to create vibrant, custom colours for a strong presence out on the track. The bikes were painted to look fantastic standing alone but create a stunning, cohesive collection as they come together. For us this is the analogy of the Track Champions League with individual riders uniting and racing under a national banner.” – Suzanne Carlsen, VéloColour Co-Owner and Designer
Source: Cycling Canada
About Cycling Canada
Cycling Canada is one of the oldest national sport organizations in Canada and has one simple purpose: to inspire Canadians to cycle. Cycling Canada administers programs to promote and grow cycling across the country, hosts national and international events and manages the National Team in all levels of international competition.