March 21, 2017 (Milton, ON) – In less than two weeks the most important event in the Junior/U17 and Para track season will take place – the 2017 Canadian Track Championships p/b Lexus. From March 31st to April 2nd, the top men and women in the Under-19 (Junior), Under-17 and Para-cyclist categories from across Canada will converge at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario. Admission is free to spectators for all days and all sessions.

National titles will be awarded in individual and mass start competitions for U19 and U17. For the Junior category, the Championships have an added significance as this will be a selection event for the world championships team. Events include Endurance (Individual Pursuit and Team Pursuit), Sprint (1000m / 500m Time Trial, Keirin, Team Sprint and Sprint) and Mass Start (Points Race, Elimination, Scratch). For the first time, the exciting two-rider Madison race will be added for Junior categories.

On the Para side, the national championship will feature both newcomers to the sport and medal-winning veterans, competing in numerous ability-based classes. Athletes will race for titles in the Individual Pursuit and 1000m/500m Time Trials. Over the years, Canada has developed a Paralympic and world championship winning program.

“As we start off this new quadrennial leading into the Tokyo Games, the Track Championships are a great opportunity for up-and-coming cyclists and para-cyclists to be noticed by our national program coaches,” said Jacques Landry, Director of High Performance for Cycling Canada. “Coaches and high performance staff are eager to see what these Nationals will produce in the way of future international podium prospects. As participation numbers at Track Nationals continues to grow, so does the track culture in Canada. These are exciting times!”

The 2017 Canadian Track Championships p/b Lexus for Elite and Master categories will take place from September 27-30 at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre.