Cycling Canada and the Canadian Cyclo-cross Working Group have announced the team of 13 athletes that will represent Canada at the 2018 Cyclo-cross World Championships, to take place in Valkenburg, Netherlands, on February 3-4.
The team will include four reigning national champions, led by the Elite women’s and men’s champions – Christel Ferrier Bruneau of Granby, Quebec, and Michael Van den Ham of Abbotsford, BC. Prior to the world championships, the team will participate in the final round of the Cyclo-cross World Cup, on January 27-28, in Hoogerheide, Netherlands.
Scott Kelly, Program Manager for the Canadian National Cyclo-cross Team, said “We’ve assembled a great team of athletes to represent Canada at this year’s World Championships. Our National program is still very much in a growth phase and our goal at every international competition is for our athletes to continue to learn and develop. The World Championships is a great opportunity for our riders to take everything they’ve learned this year, put it all together on the day and leave everything out on the course.”
“We are, as always, extremely grateful to our staff for volunteering their time and expertise during these World Championships,” said Kris Westwood, High Performance Director at Cycling Canada. “This is the sixth consecutive Cyclo-cross World Championships for our core group of volunteer Cyclo-cross staff, and we are incredibly appreciative of their efforts every year supporting the National Cyclo-cross Program at World Cups and the World Championships.”
Canadian National Team Roster (* denotes National Champion):
Junior Men
Paul Mysko – Barrie, Ontario
Dylan Kerr – Horseshoe Valley, Ontario
Conor Martin – Kelowna, BC
Tyler Clark * – King City, Ontario
Under-23 Women
Magdeleine Vallieres Mill – Sherbrooke, Quebec
Siobhan Kelly – London, Ontario
Ruby West * – Dundas, Ontario
Under-23 Men
Nicholas Diniz – Oakville, Ontario
Elite Women
Mical Dyck – Cumberland, BC
Maghalie Rochette – St-Jerome, Quebec
Christel Ferrier Bruneau * – Granby, Quebec
Elite Men
Mark McConnell – Calgary, AB
Michael Van den Ham* – Abbottsford, BC
Source: Cycling Canada
Donations
Cycling Canada does not receive government funding for Cyclo-cross programs, which means all projects are funded through sponsorships, private donations or by the athletes themselves. Any amount donated has a direct impact on the development of this sport in Canada. To donate, please visit https://hoponcanada.ca/ product/cyclo-cross-donation/. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities please contact Scott Kelly at scott@dundasspeedshop.com.
About the Canadian Cyclo-Cross Working Group
The Canadian Cyclo-cross Working Group is made up of various stakeholders from the Canadian Cyclo-cross community. The objective of this initiative is to improve communications and planning around the Canadian Cyclo-cross program. The working group has been tasked with developing a sustainable Cyclo-cross program, exploring funding opportunities and identifying and engaging leaders in the Canadian Cyclo-cross community to help drive these initiatives.
About Cycling Canada
Cycling Canada is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada. Founded in 1882, Cycling Canada aims to create and sustain an effective system that develops talented Canadian cyclists to achieve Olympic, Paralympic, and World Championship medal performances. With the vision of being a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020 celebrating enhanced international success, increased national participation and world class event hosting, Cycling Canada manages the High Performance team, hosts national and international events and administers programs to promote and grow cycling across the country. Cycling Canada programs are made possible through the support of its valued corporate partners – Global Relay, Lexus Canada, Mattamy Homes, Louis Garneau and Bear Mountain Resort – along with the Government of Canada, Own The Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.