November 26, 2007 (Toronto, ON) – Cyclists from across Ontario came together on Saturday, Nov. 25, for the Ontario Cycling Association’s year-end Cycling Celebration and awards banquet. The sold out affair took place at Whistler’s Grill in Toronto and was a great success. Over 100 athletes, coaches, organizers, and supporters of Ontario cycling crowed into the banquet hall to celebrate another great year of cycling in Ontario. On hand to help with award presentations were special guests including former track star, Curt Harnett, BMX legend, Jay Miron, and road star, Sue Palmer-Komar.

Following the reception and a fabulous buffet dinner, it was time for the awards presentation mc’d by the VP of BMX, Sue Morrow. Provincial Coaching Director, Denise Kelly, joined in to introduce the special guests and regaled the crowd with cycling anecdotes about the evening’s special guests.

It was a banner year for Ontario cycling and many of the individual awards went to riders who performed strongly not only in Ontario, but on a national and international level. Female MTB Athlete of the Year went to Emily Batty who finished 10th in U23 at the 2007 MTB Worlds. Male MTB Athlete of the Year went to Derek Zandstra who was the 2007 Canada MTB Cup overall winner.

Female Road Athlete of the Year went to Denise Ramsden for her win at Junior Road Nationals and her return to form following a broken wrist sustained at Junior Track Nationals. Ramsden went on to be Canada’s top finisher in the Junior woman’s road race at the 2007 Junior Road Worlds in Mexico. The 2007 Male Road Athlete of the Year was awarded to top road rider, Andrew Randall, on the strength of his strong win at the road provincials and his 8th place at the inaugural Tour of Missouri, where Denise Kelly quipped that he beat a certain rider named Contador. A first-year award, Female Track Athlete of the Year, went to Ivanie Blondin for her strong performances at the 2007 Track Nationals, while the Male Track Athlete of the year, also a first-year award, went to Joseph Veloce for his national championship on the track in the Keirin.

It was also a strong year for events and organizers in Ontario. Midweek Cycling Club won Road Organizer of the year after hosting a wildly popular Road Provincials course up and down the infamous Rattlesnake Point Climb in Milton. Road Contributor of the Year went to the Newmarket Eagles Cycling Club for their strong support of Junior Racing, while MTB Organizer of the year went to the Fly Gurlz for their continuing support of female grassroots racing and riding. MTB Contributor of the year went to Eric “The Iceman” Orschel for his legendary Uxbridge Icebreaker, the official start of the season in Ontario racing.

The evening awards continued with BMX Organizer of the year going to Todd Harper of Kingston BMX for organizing the inaugural and successful UCI BMX races at the Kingston track. BMX Contributor of the year went to Rick and Cheryl Seitz for their contributions to race timing at BMX events. The College of Commissaries referred to them as some of the best people they had ever had the pleasure of working with.

BMX racing in Ontario continues to grow and with strong support and a strong series, rising stars are beginning to emerge. Female BMX Athlete of the year went to Amelia Walsh for her strong results, even when racing against the men. The DaSilva family was on hand to present Tim DaSilva award for top Male BMX athlete of the year to Tim’s brother Chris DaSilva.

Th Silent Auction for Michael Barry’s signed 2007 T-Mobile Jersey and 2 autographed books, Amy Moore’s T-Mobile long sleeve jersey (M), vest (S), gloves and hat. (new in bags), and Sue Palmer Komar’s jersey(large), shorts(large), gloves and socks, raised $1,140 for the 2008 Ontario Youth Cup series.


Congratulations to all winners. The 2007 Ontario Cycling Celebration was considered a great success by all those who attended and will surely sell out again next year. For more information and more photos please visit www.ontariocycling.org.


2007 Ontario Cycling Celebration Award Winners


2007 Road Organizer of the Year
Midweek Cycling Club


2007 Road Contributor of the Year
– Newmarket Eagles Cycling Club (Received by Mark Summers)

2007 Road Female Athlete of the Year
– Denise Ramsden

2007 Road Male Athlete of the Year
– Andrew Randell

2007 Mountain Bike Organizer of the Year
– Fly Gurlz

2007 Mountain Bike Contributor of the Year
– Eric “The Iceman” Orschel

2007 Mountain Bike Female Athlete of the Year
– Emily Batty (2nd consecutive Year)

2007 Mountain Bike Male Athlete of the Year
– Derek Zandstra (2nd consecutive Year)

2007 Track Male Athlete of the Year
– Joseph Veloce (First Year Award)

2007 Track Female Athlete of the Year
– Ivanie Blondin (First Year Award)

2007 BMX Organizer of the Year
– Todd Harper of Kingston BMX

2007 BMX Contributor of the Year
– Rick and Cheryl Seitz

2007 BMX Female Athlete of the Year
– Amelia Walsh

2007 BMX Male Athlete of the Year
– Chris DaSilva