May 03, 2017 (Ottawa, ON) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce the team of five athletes that will represent Canada at the opening rounds of the 2017 BMX World Cup.  World Cups 1 and 2 will take place in Papendal [Netherlands] on May 6-7 and World Cups 3 and 4 are in Zolder [Belgium] on May 13-14.

The team will be led by 2015 Pan Am Games champion and 2016 Olympian Tory Nyhaug of Coquitlam, BC.  He will be joined in the Elite men’s field by Gaby Malenfant of Drummondville, QC, James Palmer (North Vancouver, BC) and first year Elite Alex Tougas (Pitt Meadows, BC).  In the women’s competition, Canada will be represented by second year Elite rider Drew Mechielsen of Langley, BC.

“This project will kick off the new quad with our first two weekends of World Cup events,” explained Adam Muys, National BMX NextGen Coach.  “New for 2017, the World Cup format has changed to a single qualifying race, followed by a Repechage and then single elimination Eighths, Quarters, Semi-finals and Final.  Then each event will have a second day of racing with the same format.  Two World Cups in one weekend.”

Muys added:  “We have put in many hours of training over the winter and look forward to see how our athletes have grown.  We expect Tory Nyhaug to lead the charge, but don’t be surprised to see James Palmer, Alex Tougas, Gaby Malenfant and Drew Mechielsen to make some waves.”

Athletes
Elite Women
– Drew Mechielsen – Langley, BC

Elite Men
– Gaby Malenfant – Drummondville, QC
– Tory Nyhaug – Coquitlam, BC
– James Palmer – North Vancouver, BC
– Alex Tougas – Pitt Meadows, BC

Coach
– Adam Muys

Chiropractor
– Jenn Turner