November 18, 2013 (Toronto, ON) – Close to 200 people gathered at the 14th Annual OCA Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Cardinal Golf Club in King City to share a glass and present awards honouring the province’s large pool of talented riders. Presented by La Bicicletta and CCN Bikes, the event showcased athletes and contributors and featured special guests, such as the legendary Steve Bauer of Tour de France fame, and Shelley Gautier, a top level para-cyclist with four world titles to her name.
Brendan Arnold, OCA HP Head Coach, entertained the crowd as MC for the evening, while proud parents and fans applauded an impressive year of cycling in the province after enjoying a delicious sit-down dinner. One of the many highlights of the evening was a standing ovation for Peter Disera, who won silver in the junior men’s XC race at the MTB Worlds and took home the MTB-XC Male Athlete of the Year award.
A raffle and silent auction helped raise upwards of $1,000 for the Milton Velodrome, which is currently under construction and is expected to open next September in time to host the 2014 Canadian Track Championships. The grand prize of the evening went to 14-year-old Noah Simms who took home a Bianchi bike presented by Bauer, Tony Silvestri of Bianchi Canada, and Graham Fraser from Centurion Cycling… more photos coming.
- William Corry wins the True Sport Award. © Lisa Evans
- CCN Bikes' Rupert May and Josee Larocque © Lisa Evans
- Mikaela Kofman won the Female MTB-XC Athlete of the Year Award. © Lisa Evans
- The Midweek Cycling Club won Road Contributor of the Year. © Lisa Evans
- Mandy Dreyer (l) and Alana Zabukovec © Lisa Evans
- The Kofmans celebrate Mikaela's achievements. © Lisa Evans
- Josee Larocque, Pedal's Benjamin Sadavoy, and Steve Bauer. © Lisa Evans
- 2013 OCA Award winners. © Lisa Evans
- Pulse Racing's Glenn Meeuwisse and family. © Lisa Evans
- Glen Meuwisse, Adam Ruppel, Jennifer Mats © Lisa Evans
- Jamie Gilgen and Sean Ruppel © Lisa Evans
- Steve Bauer, Tony Silvestri, and Graham Fraser present the grand prize Bianchi bike to lucky Noah Simms. © Lisa Evans
- Cayley Brooks (l) and Haley Smith. © Lisa Evans
- OCA 2013 Award winners. © Lisa Evans
- Peter (l) and Quinton Disera © Lisa Evans
2013 Awards included:
Road Organizer of the Year
– Spinsanity Cycles
Road Contributor of the Year
– Midweek Cycling Club
Road Male Athlete of the Year
– Adam Jameson
Road Female Athlete of the Year
– Annie Forman-Mackey
Track Athlete of the Year
– Candice Vermeulen
BMX Athlete of the Year
– Amelia Walsh
MTB Organizer of the Year
– Glenn Meeuwisse, Pulse Racing
MTB Contributor of the Year
– Kevin Simms
MTB-XC Male Athlete of the Year
– Peter Disera
MTB-XC Female Athlete of the Year
– Mikaela Kofman
DH Athlete of the Year
– Kyle Sangers
CX Athlete of the Year
– Evan McNeely
President’s Award
– Alex Sanna
True Sport Award
– William Corry