August 14, 2015 (Toronto, ON) – The Canadian Para-Cycling Team earned 14 medals for Canada at the Toronto 2015 Parapan-American Games, both in track cycling and on the road. The Games were undoubtedly highly successful for the Canadians, especially for the tandem of Daniel Chalifour and Alexandre Cloutier winning medals in all four events, including three Gold medals.
On the road, Canada earned 11 medals – two gold, three silver, and six bronze, while the host country earned three medals at the velodrome – two gold and one silver.
“Just like a few weeks ago at the Pan-American Games, our para-cycling team surpassed our expected medal tally; even with some categories having combined gender classes. The results we have accomplished here are definitely good for the moral and we hope that these performances will carry momentum leading and during the fast approaching Paralympic Games in one year’s time.”, said Jacques Landry, Head Coach and Director of High Performance at Cycling Canada.
Landry added: “Not only have we been able to reap some great results through these Games, but the Parapan-American Games has also served to test our systems. Through this test, we’ve identified a few gaps that we will steadfastly work on mitigating over the course of the next few months, in order to arrive in Rio with a nicely polished performance machine.”
Hand cyclist Mark Ledo earned Canada’s first Gold medal of these Games in the Men H3-5, joined on the same podium by teammate Charles Moreau earning the bronze medal. The Chalifour/Cloutier tandem took second place of the mixed B race while hand cyclist Robert Labbé earned bronze in the Men H1-2 road race. Tricyclist Louis-Albert Corriveau-Jolin went to cross the finish line in third for the bronze medal of the Mixed T race.
The games then shifted to the velodrome for two days of track racing. The Chalifour/Cloutier tandem continued their medal winning ways, adding gold medals in the individual pursuit and the 1km time trial. Mike Sametz, competing at his first Major Games, rode to the silver medal in the Individual Pursuit in the C1-3 class.
After a rest day, the team headed back to the road to compete in the time trial race, and Canada impressed by sweeping the podium in the mixed B class, with Chalifour/Cloutier earning their fourth medal in four events at the Games, including three gold medals. Robbi Weldon and new pilot Audrey Lemieux took second place while Shawna Ryan and pilot Joanie Caron took the third place.
Medals won by Canadian Para-Cyclists – Toronto 2015 Parapan-American Games
Road Cycling – Road Race
– Mark Ledo – Gold – Men H3-5
– Daniel Chalifour/Alexandre Cloutier – Silver – Mixed B
– Charles Moreau – Bronze – Men H3-5
– Robert Labbé – Bronze – Men H1-2
– Nicole Clermont – Bronze – Women C
– Louis-Albert Corriveau-Jolin – Bronze – Mixed T
Road Cycling – Time Trial
– Daniel Chalifour/Alexandre Cloutier – Gold – Mixed B
– Robbi Weldon/Audrey Lemieux – Silver – Mixed B
– Shelley Gautier – Silver – Women T1-3
– Shawna Ryan/Joanie Caron – Bronze – Mixed B
– Charles Moreau – Bronze – Men H1-5
Track Cycling – Individual Pursuit
– Daniel Chalifour/Alexandre Cloutier – Gold – Mixed B
– Mike Sametz – Silver – Men C1-3
Track Cycling – 1km Time Trial
– Daniel Chalifour/Alexandre Cloutier – Gold – Mixed B