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Next Wave Cycling Makes Huge Impact in Youth Cycling

release by Next Wave Cycling

August 13, 2014 (Barrie, ON) – In the winter of 2013-14, a group of local cyclists were wondering how to harness the cycling talent forming amongst our youth boys. While many larger centres in Ontario had organized development squads, nothing similar existed in the Simcoe region (Orillia-Barrie). It was concluded that if a formal team of cadet aged boys (15-16y) was formed, knowing the local talent that existed, they would have a huge impact on the youth cycling scene. They have not disappointed.

 ©  Rob Holmgren

Over the next months, 8 boys were recruited for the team under the banner of Next Wave Cycling. Local sponsors (both individuals and businesses) were lined up to support the team. Our aim was to challenge for both individual wins and an overall team win on the Ontario Cycling Association Youth Cup circuit. The Youth Circuit is normally dominated by teams from Ontario’s larger cities.

The Next Wave Team consists of the following individuals:

– Gunnar Holmgren
– Graydon Staples
– Matt Staples
– Kaleb Hellreich
– Cole Schumacher
– Gavin Kerr
– Noah Simms
– Brody Sanderson

– Kevin Simms, coach
– Rob Holmgren, coach
– David Staples, director sportif
– Rob Meeder, director sportif

The team first met officially in March with the first race being the Heck of The North race on April 20th. The team lined up in new kits designed by Primal Wear. However, competitors and spectators noticed not just the distinctive blue and green colours, but also the impressive cycling skill and speed displayed by the boys. Competing in an open category of 67 experienced male cyclists, mainly adults, over a difficult 70km course the top three boys placed 12th (Gunnar Holmgren), 13th (Graydon Staples) and 22nd (Gavin Kerr) overall.

 ©  Rob Holmgren

Since most of the team was racing in a mountain bike race during the Barrie Youth Cup Race, the first official race for the team in the Youth Cup Series was the Tour de Speed, hosted in Newmarket. The team rode strong, with Gunnar Holmgren placing 3rd in the time trial. Four of the Next Wave riders placed in the top ten, in fact. The road race went equally well, with Gunnar Holmgren again placing 3rd and 6th,7th, and 8th place to Matthew Staples, Gavin Kerr and Brody Sanderson, respectively.

The team followed up these impressive results with strong showings at subsequent youth cup races. Most notably 2nd and 3rd at the Delaware Speedway Time Trial (Gunnar Holmgren and Graydon Staples), and 3rd at the Delaware Speedway Road Race (Graydon Staples), 2nd, 3rd and 4th at the Tourism London Youth Grand Prix Time Trial (Gunnar Holmgren, Graydon Staples and Matt Staples), 5 top-ten finishes at the Tourism London Youth Grand Prix Road Race.

 ©  Rob Holmgren

That race result was aided in large part by an excellent breakaway attempt by Gavin Kerr. Excellent team tactics were again on display in Windsor at the Windsor Youth Cup Road Race on July 5th . Brody Sanderson rode much of the race off the front in a breakaway which almost stuck to the end. This led to a second place finish by Brody Sanderson and three other Next Wave cyclists fnishing in the top ten. Equally impressive was Gunnar Holmgren’s winning Time Trial ride that day.

The team competed at the Real Deal Youth Cup in Markham on July 27th. At the Time Trial Gunnar Holmgren and Graydon Staples placed first and second. Graydon Staples placed 3rd in the Road Race. The success of our athletes at all these races is due in large part to the self-sacrificing rides of all the Next Wave Cyclists in the peloton. Cycling is a highly tactical sport where each rider has a specific role to play. It is key that each rider rides not for himself, but for the team. This team spirit is evident in the races, but also on the training rides.

 ©  Rob Holmgren

Most recently team members competed at the Ontario Summer Games in Windsor. Youth cyclists from all over the province competed. The Next Wave team members competed in Mountain Bike events as well as Road Cycling event. Gunner Holmgren, Matt Staples and Cole Schumacher placed 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the Mountain Bike Time Trial. In the Mountain Bike Team Challenge, Next Wave placed second overall. In the road events Next Wave cyclists again rode very well. When all the points were tallied Gunnar Holmgren finished in 5th overall, Graydon Staples in 6th overall, Cole Schumacher in 10th place and Brody Sanderson in 12th place.

Lastly we should not forget to mention Graydon Staples’ awesome ride at the Kitchener Twilight Grand Prix. They wouldn’t let him race in the Advanced Men race, so he decided to win decisively in the Intermediate Men race beating 56 others to the line. Job well done.

The team continues to train together multiple times per week. Most of the boys also race for various mountain bike teams. Their fitness and cycling skill continues to improve. With each race, the cycling community is becoming acutely aware of this upstart team with big results. It is becoming increasingly obvious that this team indeed represents an integral part of the next wave of cycling in Ontario, and probably Canada. So when you see the blue and green outfits of Next Wave cycling, training on the roads of Oro- Medonte and Severn Townships, or racing somewhere in Ontario or beyond – give them space and a friendly wave.

Next Wave Cycling Team is grateful for support from the following businesses: Primal Wear, Squire John’s Cycling (Collingwood), Velocity Ski and Bikes (Orillia), Earth Adrenalin Endurance Coaching, The Sunglass Cove (Orillia), Davenport Subaru (Orillia),and Staples Design Group (Barrie).





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