February 07, 2018 – Cycling BC is pleased to announce the coaches for our 2018 High Performance and Development Teams. The knowledge, skills, experience, and leadership these coaches bring to the table will be of tremendous value to our young developing athletes as they help our teams reach their performance goals.
Mountain Bike – Regional Coaches
Adam Walker
Adam Walker is a former member of the Canadian National Team, Canada Cup XC Champion, National Champion in 100km Team Time Trial, and multi-time provincial champion, on and off road. Adam has completed the Professional Mountain Bike Instructor (PMBIA) certification and has coached kids, youth and adults at a club level for many years, working not only with Cycling BC, but also operating riding clinics for various local bike shops and clubs.
Adam’s first-hand knowledge of training, racing, and living as a high-performance athlete will help the new generation of riders develop to the highest levels of their sport. Adam’s combined experience, coupled with his enthusiasm for the sport of cycling, will no doubt be a huge asset to the young riders representing British Columbia.
Evan Guthrie
Evan Guthrie is a cross-country and enduro mountain bike racer from Peachland, BC. Evan’s connection to Cycling BC goes back to the 2006 MTB National Championships, which marked Evan’s first Provincial Team Project. Evan knows first-hand what it takes to succeed on the international stage having moved through the ranks and winning a Junior World Cup and a World Championship team relay medal in 2009.
Evan has raced up the World Cup level and has been on the National Team for nine years. Evan is NCCP certified and is a coach with the Red Devils Cycling Academy in the Okanagan coaching athletes at the national and international level.
“My passion lies in cycling and creating opportunities for youth, to give them similar or better opportunities than I had growing up”.
Joel Harwood
Joel brings over a decade of athlete development experience rooted in exercise physiology and education. Working with athletes of all levels, Joel takes a holistic approach to athlete development including skill development, injury prevention, conditioning, nutrition, and sport psychology.
As the Lower Mainland & Sea to Sky Regional Coach, Joel is looking forward to facilitating the growth and development of athletes throughout the area. Joel is happiest on two wheels – whether out exploring the backcountry on his XC bike, or doing laps in the Whistler Bike Park.
Joel is confident that he can provide the guidance and experience necessary to put athletes in the best position possible to meet their goals: World Cup DHI, XCO or the EWS.
Road & Track
Richard Wooles
As a former athlete and coach for multiple Olympic Games, Richard has been with Cycling BC for over 11 years as Provincial Coach and also as the Executive Director of the association before returning to his role as the Lead Junior Road & Track Coach.
Richard is a native of Wales and a long time contributor to cycling in British Columbia, having first made an impact locally at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria.
Richard comes to this role following over 30 years in the sport and successful leadership roles with British Cycling, Cycling Canada, a professional team, and the UCI.
BMX
Mischa Partridge
Mischa started competing in BMX racing at 11 years old and had a professional career in BMX racing for over seven years.
Mischa’s coaching career began with local BMX camps, which then led to coaching in the school system and with Cycling BC’s BMX Provincial Development team. Mischa has served as head coach for BMX at the BC Sumer Games and was part of the coaching team at the UCI BMX World Championships. Mischa has completed the NCCP – ‘Competition Introduction’ coaching certification and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Athletic & Exercise Therapy at Camosun College.
Mischa took over as head coach of the Cycling BC BMX Development Program in 2010 and looks forward to continuing to challenge himself in this capacity.