July 05, 2018 (Val di Sole, Italy) – Canada will be bringing a team of eight riders to Europe for a national mountain bike project at Rounds 4 and 5 of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Italy and Andorra. While a number of top Canadian pros will compete with their trade teams in Val di Sole, Italy, on July 6-8, and Vallnord, Andorra, on July 13-15, a selection of riders will also participate in Team Canada colours.

Dan Proulx, National Mountain Bike Coach, explains, “These World Cups are incredibly challenging and will test the riders’ climbing and technical skills. At this point in the season, most riders are in good form and we expect the races to be very fast. We’re bringing a good team of riders with a nice mix of developing athletes and experienced racers.”

“Val Di Sole and Andorra are great events that we really look forward to. Most of the team has just completed a tough block of training with the aim of peaking at the World Championships in September. These races are simply a step in our process. It’s low pressure for us.”

In the Elite ranks, Team Canada riders will be Andrew L’Esperance for the men, and Sandra Walter and Cindy Montambault for the women. Other Canadians racing include Emily Batty (Trek Factory) and Haley Smith (Norco Factory) in Elite women, plus Leandre Bouchard (KMC-Ekoi-SR Suntour), Peter Disera (Norco Factory) and Raphael Gagne (Silverback OMX).  Unfortunately, missing from the start line will be two-time world champion Catharine Pendrel (Clif Pro Team), who is recovering from a broken arm suffered in a training accident.

The Under-23 squad is comprised of Mackenzie Myatt and Juliette Tetrault for the women, and Gunnar Holmgren, Brody Sanderson and Sean Fincham for the men.  Racing for the Norco Factory squad in U23 men will be Quinton Disera, plus three riders from Pivot Cycles-OTE – Marc-Andre Fortier, Raphael Auclair and Felix Belhumeur.

Andrew L’Esperance – Halifax, NS [Elite Men]
Sandra Walter – Coquitlam, BC [Elite Women]
Cindy Montambault – Val-David, QC [Elite Women]
Mackenzie Myatt – Musquodoboit Harbour, NS [U23 Women]
Juliette Tetrault – Val-des-Monts, QC [U23 Women]
Gunnar Holmgren – Orillia, ON [U23 Men]
Brody Sanderson – Oro Medonte, ON [U23 Men]
Sean Fincham – Squamish, BC [U23 Men]