February 14, 2015 (Milton, ON) – Here are the results from Day 1 at the Ontario Track Cup #1 at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre. Over 110 riders have registered for the first event, a 2-day affair, that begins on Friday (Feb. 13) evening at 6pm and continues Saturday (Feb. 14) at 3pm, is open and FREE to the public with general seating available.
February 18th, 2015 at 1:09 pm
Nice to see Steve Bauer and Gord Singleton back in action but their success at the new velodrome “in their mature ages” is a sign that we in Ontario have a long way to go to develop WORLD CLASS track racers.
Rob Good with the ” BIG LITTLE TRACK ” is doing a great job in developing skilled bike handlers but something is lacking as world class riders are achieving speeds in access of 70 km per hr for the flying 200 and kilo, while the present “best” Canadians are stuck at 65.
Steve and Gord (we can mention Jocelyn Lovell) have the right mettle but were also groomed to success with good coaching and that is what I think is lacking here in Ontario now. Most if not all teachers of cyclists are not meeting the minimal criteria.
What constitutes good coaching? 1. (this is a big vacuum) A background of having been coached by a successful world calibre coach. 2. At least 25 years of experience competing in your sport. 3. (#2 big vacuum) Going to school and getting all the Canadian coaching certifications. 4. Enthusiastic and passionate enough to continue your cycling education through going to all seminars and constant reading on the sport. 5. Like people, communicate well, have a vision, and be goal oriented for the top world spot.
Basically you have to know where you are going and what the hell you are doing.
Steve, Gord, and Rob have many of the above qualifications and would have to fill in the holes missing in their portfolios but with them we have a basis for future success. A sure solution would be to hire qualified coaches from Europe, Australia or New Zealand who would develop our athletes and also be mentors to the present group of local coaches.
A note to cyclists that “have coached and are coaching themselves” you are pulling your own leg. If you have the right stuff you should be able to get a qualified coach for free.
Wish I lived closer to this jewel of a track and help develop our next Steve, Gord and Jocelyn. Have fun you lucky bastardi.