PREPARATIONS GET UNDERWAY FOR THE 3rd ANNUAL BEAR MOUNTAIN BIKE FEST AND FIRST RACE OF THE CANADA CUP MTB SERIES FOR 2018
January 22, 2018 – Langford, BC – The Westin Bear Mountain Resort will play host once again to the 3rd annual Bear Mountain Bike Festival presented by the City of Langford from March 31 – April 1. This year’s festival will expand on the successes of last year’s inaugural event bringing world-class mountain bike racing to the Eastern Vancouver Island Region. The two-day festival will also feature races for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities as well as special activities for kids.
As a partnership with Cycling Canada, City of Langford, and Tourism Victoria, the festival will showcase elite-level long distance and short track cross-country racing, challenge events for enthusiasts, dedicated activities for kids, and an on-site bike expo showcasing the top mountain bike brands in the industry. New for 2018 is the addition of a food truck concession area where participants and spectators will have an excellent selection of warm food and drinks.
Highlighting the Festival be the UCI Bear Mountain Canada Cup MTB Race powered by Powerade on March 31, featuring three-time World Champion and 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medalist, Catharine Pendrel (Clif Pro Team).
As the defending Bear Mountain Canada Cup event champion, Pendrel is very motivated to start the year on a high note, “I’m really looking forward to the Bear Mtn Canada Cup. I love having such high-level racing in BC to start the season and really enjoy the riding and atmosphere at the Bear race”.
Last year’s 2nd place finisher, Emily Batty (Trek Factory Racing), will be looking to make a strong first impression as reigning National Champion for the 2018 season, and attempt to take her first Bear Mountain Canada Cup win. Defending overall Canada Cup Champion, Soren Meeuwisse (Trek Canada), showed consistency year-round and solidified her first overall 2017 Canada Cup series, is another woman to watch.
In the Elite Men’s race, Raph Gagné (Cannondale 3Rox) has made it his routine to win the first Canada Cup of the season and is looking to make it three-for-three at Bear Mountain on March 31. Raph will have his work cut out for him as he competes against a tough men’s field. Overall 2017 Canada Cup winner Evan Guthrie will be looking to the challenge as will newly crowned National Champion, Peter Disera (Norco Factory Racing).
It will be a strong field in both the Men’s and Women’s races in the UCI Canada Cup Junior series. Racers from the Men’s BC, Ontario, and Quebec teams are expected to do well, however, Team Alberta and Manitoba may have some surprises. The race will be wide open for the Junior Women as last year’s winner, Gwendalyn Gibson from Team USA and 2nd place winner Sidney McGil have moved on to the U23 age category.
This year offers the first year and first event for U17 Expert as an Official Canada Cup category for both Men and Women. As such, a leader’s jersey will be awarded as well as the assignment of a Canada Cup official ranking. Watch as participating provincial teams compete for this inaugural honour.
“The Bear Mountain Canada Cup is an amazing event that brings the local mountain bike community and some of the World’s best riders together.” Says Canadian National Team Coach, Dan Proulx. “It’s a fun atmosphere and a fast and challenging course. For the National Team, it’s a kick off to our North American race campaign. Everyone looks forward to this one!”
Sunday, April 1, will feature the Russ Hay’s XC Short Track Race. Short track racing is a relatively new format that has recently been added to the UCI Race Calendar and is designed to be very spectator friendly. The event will be a 20-minute race for each race category and will take place on a fast and flowing 1.5 km course. Lap prizes or “primes” will be awarded to heighten the excitement and keep the race pace high. There will be race categories for beginner, intermediate, expert, masters, and youth cyclists.
Rounding out the weekend will be something special for the kids., as Oak Bay Bikes Westshore presents Kids Bike Day inviting families with kids age 6-10 to take part in some fun skills training with former Canada Cup Champion and certified coach Adam Walker from the Cycling Co. Kids will learn the basics of mountain bike riding, try their skills on the obstacle course, and enjoy free snacks and prizes as a reward. Entry is free and is capped at 150 kids.
Complimenting the entire race weekend will be food trucks and free coffee/hot drinks courtesy of McDonalds McCafé®. In addition, North America’s top MTB brands will be showcasing the latest and greatest Mountain Bike models and offer Demo rides on Sunday, April 1.
Event Itinerary:
Saturday, March 31
- Canada Cup MTB p/b Powerade (UCI C2 MTB)
- Bike Expo
- Food Concession
Sunday, April 1
- Russ Hay’s XC Short Track (BC Premier Series)
- Oak Bay Bikes Kids Bike Day
- Bike Expo
- Food Concession
About the trails at Bear Mountain:
Home and high performance training centre for the Canadian National Mountain Bike Team, the Bear Mountain Bike Park consists of over 10km of west coast inspired single track and flow trails. Built over the past two years in collaboration with the Nature Trails Society, the park is open to all ages and abilities.
For more information and downloads:
- Visit the Cycling Canada Website
- Visit the Bear Mountain Bike Festival Website
- Download the Bear Mountain Canada Cup Technical Guide
REGISTRATION IS NOW LIVE for all events.
- 2018 Bear Mountain Canada Cup p/b Powerade
- Oak Bay Bikes Kids bike Day (Free Entry!)
- Russ Hay’s XC Short Track
For media inquiries or requests for interviews, please contact:
Jon Watkin
Event Director
C: 250-415-3246
email: info@victoriabikerace.com