November 26, 2006 (Toronto, ON) – Ontario’s cycling community gathered at the Mongolian Grill on Don Mills Road yesterday evening in Toronto for the OCA’s 2006 Cycling Celebration. About 200 people attended the evening reception, dinner and awards with special guest, Gord Fraser, who recently announced his retirement from professional cycling and was honored for his contribution to Canadian cycling.

Fraser, who grew up in Ottawa, began cycling with the Ottawa Bicycle Club and his early mentors were John and Allan Large, and Peter Tyler. Fraser’s career spans over 20 year with 12 years as a pro, and with over 200 victories to his name he has the most wins of any Canadian rider. For the past seven seasons Fraser has been a member of Health Net p/b Maxxis. Home is now in Tuscon, Ariz. where he operates Gord Fraser’s Cycling Camps. Although he has no immediate plans for the future, Fraser says he wants to continue his involvement with Canadian cycling.

Also on hand was Sue Palmer-Komar, Canada’s longest standing National team rider, who joined Fraser to present awards. B.C. Superweek organizer, John McMurchy, who gave a seminar on Event Organization earlier in the day, was another special guest for the award presentations.

Sue Morrow from Ontario’s BMX division MC’d the evening which included recognizing Jeremy Ludwig, OCA Development Coordinator, who was presented with a plaque acknowledging his six years of dedication to cycling in Ontario.

Steve Merker, OCA Executive Director, who is taking a position at the Princess Margaret Hospital, was also congratulated for his outstanding contributions to the association during his tenure.

The evening ended with a live auction for a signed Pedal Magazine cover poster of Gord Fraser that went to Chico Racing’s Adam Ruppel for $280, with the proceeds going to Ontario Junior Road Development.

OCA Cycling Celebration 2006 Winners

– MTB Male Athlete of the Year – Derek Zandstra
– MTB Female Athlete of the Year – Emily Batty
– MTB Organizer of the Year – Thomas Wood
– MTB Contributor of the Year – Fly Gurlz

– Road Male Athlete of the Year – Mark Hinnen
– Road Female Athlete of the Year – Merrill Collins
– Road Organizer of the Year – Cyclissimo Cycling Club
– Road Contributor of the Year – Ian Austen and Bob and Cheryl Woods

– BMX Tim DaSilva Elite Male Athlete of the Year – Tyler Simpson
– BMX Organizer of the Year – Cathy and Gary Walsh of Track 2000 BMX
– BMX Contributor of the Year – Martin Sharpe, Glen Cressman, Dean Pearson, Todd Harper and Francis Hammond