The 2026 Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix not only showcased top-tier elite racing but also highlighted the importance of youth cycling to the sport’s future.
As the streets of Gastown came alive to the excitement of over 25,000 spectators, the event kicked off with races featuring young cyclists under 19, showcasing BC’s emerging talent. The youth race is an important part of the Gastown Grand Prix, serving as a platform for the next generation of cyclists and a glimpse into what the future of the sport can be.
Many of the current riders in the Elite/Pro men’s and women’s races were once youth riders themselves, developing their skills and passion through their local clubs and development initiatives like Cycling BC’s High Performance Programs. Riders such as Sidney Swierenga (Liv Alula Jayco Continental Team), Lily Ujfalusi (UBC Cycling), Kimberly Chen (Tripleshot), Campbell Parrish, Monty Rigby (Tirol KTM Cycling Team), and Cody Scott (Competitive Edge Racing), are just a few examples of athletes who came up through the sport as youth riders with their local clubs and are now racing the Gastown Grand Prix as Elites/Pros. A testament that support for youth cycling at the grassroots level has long-lasting impacts on the sport.
This year’s youth race provided a thrilling opener for the Elite/Pro Women’s and Elite/Pro Men’s races, and when the next generation was done energizing the crowd, the Elite/Pros took to the course and kept the excitement going.
In the women’s race, Skylar Schneider (L39ION of Los Angeles) sent her teammates to the front of the pack to set the tempo on the last two laps, and while it could have been seen as an early start for the lead-out toward the finish, Schneider held on for the win, her second Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix, and the $12,000 first prize, just ahead of Bryony Botha (Fearless Femme pb The Beasley Firm) in 2nd place and Yarely Salazar (Caldera Medical x Aurea Racing) in 3rd. Reflecting on the win, Schneider said that it was easily one of the hardest races of the year, with every team bringing their “A Game” for the prize money on offer.
The men’s race followed a familiar Gastown pattern with a strong breakaway group of riders forming mid-race with the hope of staying away to the finish, only to be caught near the end. Lurking near the front, waiting for the final sprint, was Argentinian racer Marcos Mendez (Foundation Cycling New York), who saved his energy through the race, aiming for the final sprint. When he came around the last corner, accelerating toward the finish line at the famous Gastown steam clock, he went full gas and became the first South American rider to win at Gastown. Cade Bickmore (Team Cadence Cyclery powered by Waldo Racing) finished 2nd and recently crowned Canadian Criterium Champion, Jayden McMullen (TAG Racing), snatched 3rd place to complete the podium in what was another spectacular edition of one of North America’s oldest and most famous bike races.
Gastown Grand Prix 2026 | Top 3 in each Category:
U19 Men
- Noel Maraun (Red Kilo)
- Johnno Forsyth (Independent)
- James Pinfold (Escape Velocity/DEVO)
Youth A Men
- Nevis Liu
- Lucas Cullingworth (Escape Velocity/DEVO)
- Shane Tyson
Youth A Women
- Monet Legault-Giraud
- Beatrix Maraun (DEVO)
Youth B Men
- Owen Chen (Tripleshot)
- Matthew Ishikawa
- Peter Lok (DEVO)
Youth B Women
- Matteia Nava
- Maria Shapovalov
- Shaqed Ben-Shooshan (DEVO)
Elite/Pro Women
- Skylar Schneider (L39ION)
- Bryony Botha (Fearless Femme pb The Beasley Firm)
- Yarely Salazar (Caldera Medical x Aurea Racing)
Elite/Pro Men
- Marcos Mendez (Foundation Cycling New York)
- Cade Bickmore (Team Cadence Cyclery pb Waldo Racing)
- Jayden McMullen (TaG Racing)
For more on the event, visit the race website and follow along on Instagram for all the latest news.
Cycling BC expresses its gratitude to the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix for hosting another fantastic race and for incorporating youth races into the event—a testament to Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix’s commitment to the future of the sport.
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