The Global Relay Bridge-the Gap (BTG) program has announced their roster for 2016, expanding to support 24 athletes, including BC riders Jordan Cheyne, Gillian Ellsay, Nigel Ellsay, Anika Todd, and Adam de Vos.
The Global Relay Bridge-the-Gap Fund addresses the gap in the development of up and coming Canadian cyclists (19 to 25), by providing access to the coaching, resources and equipment they need to reach their full potential. In addition, the board’s members play a key role in networking with US managers and coaches to secure spots on professional teams.
Bridge the Gap riders showcased the strength of the BTG program with numerous strong results in 2015, including Adam de Vos’ 9th place finish in Worlds U23 road race; Annie Ewart‘s stage win at the Tour of the Gila; and Leah Kirchmann‘s two stage wins at the Tour of California, and 2016 contract with Liv-Plantur (her 2016 campaign already includes a fourth at Omloop het Nieuwsblad, a second at Omloop van het Hageland and a victory at Drentse Acht van Westerveld.)
Adam de Vos highlights the importance the BTG program has had on his success this past year:
The support I’ve received from BTG over the past years has been a key resource to me while making the steps towards a pro career. Receiving mentorship from board members has been invaluable for everything from race insight to personal connections. Financially, the fund has allowed me to attend multiple national team projects, most recently the Pan Am Championships and World Championships in 2015 as well as the Montreal and Quebec World Tour races. Without these opportunities, my success at the Worlds would not have been possible. I’m grateful and excited to have been one of the original supported athletes and to now be transitioning into a new graduate role as part of the Bridge the Gap fund.
“We’re pleased to welcome our new riders from across Canada to the Bridge-the-Gap Program,” said Global Relay CEO Warren Roy. “It’s been a thrill to help so many up-and-coming Canadian cyclists work towards their dreams and achieve their goals of riding professionally because, as a company and as one of the biggest supporters of competitive cycling in Canada, we’re committed to helping people reach their potential. We wish all our riders the best of luck in 2016.”
2016 GLOBAL RELAY BRIDGE-THE-GAP RIDERS
RIDER HOMETOWN TEAM
——————————————————————————————————–
Lex Albrecht Montreal, QC BePink Pro Cycling
Alizee Brien Val-David, QC Team TIBCO-SVB
Jack Burke Toronto, ON H&R BLOCK Pro Cycling
Alex Cataford Kanata, ON Silber Pro Cycling
Jordan Cheyne Kelowna BC Jelly Belly Pro Cycling
Alec Cowan Calgary, AB Canada NextGen
Adam de Vos Victoria, BC H&R BLOCK Pro Cycling
Elliot Doyle Alma, QC Silber Pro Cycling
Gillian Ellsay Courtenay, BC Trek-Red Truck/ Canada NextGen
Nigel Ellsay Courtenay, BC Silber Pro Cycling
Annie Foreman-Mackey Kingston, ON Stevens Racing P/B The Cyclery
Derek Gee Osgoode, ON Team Giant Langley/SmartSavvy
Kinley Gibson Edmonton, AB Trek-Red Truck/ Canada NextGen
Emeliah Harvie Banff, AB Stevens Racing P/B The Cyclery
Alison Jackson Vermilion, AB TWENTY16 Pro Cycling
Emile Jean Trois-Rivières, QC Silber Pro Cycling
Katherine Maine Ottawa, ON Rally Pro Cycling
Nicolas Masbourain Montreal, QC Silber Pro Cycling
Cath Ouellette Saint-Lambert, QC Rally Pro Cycling
Gabrielle Pilote Fortin Neuville, QC Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling Team
Sara Poidevin Canmore, AB Rally Pro Cycling
Travis Samuel Oshawa, ON H&R Block Pro Cycling
Anika Todd Victoria, BC Independent
Ed Walsh Halifax, NS Canada NextGen
About Bridge the Gap:
The Bridge-the-Gap fund was a created by Vancouver tech leader Global Relay in November 2012 with the support of current Canadian cycling professionals Svein Tuft (Orica GreenEDGE), Will Routley (Rally Pro Cycling), Ryan Anderson (Direct Energie), and former pros Erinne Willock and Andrew Pinfold, who serve as the BTG’s board.
