January 02, 2017 (Toronto, ON) – We apologize for the short delay and are very pleased to announce the winners of Pedal Magazine’s 2016 Cycling Awards that recognize all categories including juniors, seniors, U23 and paracyclists from all disciplines encompassing road, MTB, DH, cyclocross, track and BMX.

The big winners this year were the Men’s Team Pursuit squad and Catharine Pendrel who both won two top awards. Members of the Men’s Team Pursuit squad include Ed Veal, Adam Jamieson, Aidan Caves, Jay Lamoureux and Bayley Simpson who took home the Best Overall Cyclist (Male or Female) award along with the Best Track Senior Cyclist (Male or Female) award AND the 2016 Best Canadian Cycling Moment/Performance.

With a sub-4 min ride at the Pan Am Track Championships followed by bronze at the track World Cup in Glasgow and then gold at the World Cup in Apeldoorn it was a historic and record-breaking season for the team.

“The Men’s Track Endurance team really had a break out year. It has been 3 full years of total commitment to the program. Breaking 4 minutes at Pan-Am’s, then winning a World Cup bronze and then a World Cup gold medal wearing the maple leaf proudly will forever be special for each and every one involved. As good as 2016 was I can confidently say we haven’t scratched the surface of how far this program can go. On behalf of the entire MTE team and staff we thank you for this award,” said veteran Veal on behalf of the team.

Meanwhile Pendrel had a blockbuster season of her own claiming bronze in the women’s MTB XC race in Rio with one of the most courageous comeback rides ever, in addition to winning the overall UCI World Cup series title yet again.

“This past 2016 season was an amazing year and I am so happy I was able to bring home an Olympic medal for Canada. Thank you for your votes and cheers and Happy New year,” wrote Pendrel.

It a big year for Veal on the road as well as he won the Ontario Cup road series title for a record 5th time and was 3rd overall in the USA Crit series. He also takes home the Best Overall Senior/U23 Male Cyclist award.

“Thank you Pedal Magazine and your many followers. I think it is very cool that readers took the time to vote and I am happy and extremely proud just to be mentioned alongside Canada’s best. It is a real honor to be recognized in this way,” said Veal.

Stefan Ritter took the Best Overall Junior Male Cyclist with his Kilo gold and Keirin bronze at the Junior Track Worlds executing a stunning season for the Alberta rider.

“I’m honoured to have won the Best Overall Junior Male Cyclist. This past year has been very special and I can’t thank all those who are behind me enough. The support has been phenominal and truly makes a difference,” commented Ritter.

Maggie Coles-Lyster was voted the Best Overall Junior Female Cyclist taking home the bronze medal in women’s Omnium at the Track Worlds while also racing for Canada at the U23 CX and Junior Road Worlds.

“That’s awesome about the awards. It has been an amazing year for me with three World Championships, and I am so proud of what I have accomplished as a first year junior! I feel so lucky to have so much support from the Canadian cycling community and I look forward to making Canada proud again this year,” said Coles-Lyster.

Alec Cowan, who will ride for Silber in 2017, took home the Best Road Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female) award. Cowan is one of many talented riders emerging from the NexGen program and had a great season including 9th overall at the Tour de la Manche, Most Aggressive Rider on Stage 1 at the Tour of Berlin, and 12th in the U23 Men’s ITT at the Road Worlds.

“My thoughts go out to Ellen Watters and her family for this new year. I would also like to thank Pedal Magazine for the nomination of Best Road Senior/U23 (male or female). The 2016 season has been a great year for me and accepting this award solidifies the fun I’m having on the bike. I feel privileged to be on the list of nominees considering all of the great Canadian performances,” said Cowan.

Canada DH Cup overall winner Hugo Langevin claimed the Best MTB DH Senior Cyclist (Male or Female) while Michael Van Den Ham defended his award for the Best CX Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female) earning his first UCI C1 podium in 2016 and will head over to Europe on Jan. 10.

“It’s really exciting to be voted as Canada’s top cyclocross racer again for 2016. To be honoured with the likes of Jeremy Martin, Mical Dyck, Maghalie Rochette, and many others really means something to me. I’m in the middle of my best ‘cross season to date with a 17th place a the Las Vegas World Cup, my first C1 podium, and four other UCI podiums already under my belt. A huge thank you to everyone who voted, my sponsors and my wife for all of their support,” wrote Van Den Ham.

Tory Nyhaug yet again also defended his Best BMX Cyclist (Male or Female) award with another fabulous season that included 5th at the Rio Olympics, Pan Am Games gold and silver at the UCI BMX World Cup finals in Rock Hill, SC.

Tristen Chernove, with three Paralympic medals from Rio, was voted the Best Paracycling Cyclist (Male or Female) – it was an incredible season for Chernove winning bronze (Kilo), silver (Ind. Pursuit) and then gold (20km ITT) at his debut Games where Canada finished with a record 29 medals and cycling was the top sport with nine medals, also recording its best performance at these Games.

“I’m absolutely full up with gratitude for all of the people – family, colleagues, training partners, coaches and support staff – that have given so much to enable me to ride in pursuit of my 2016 goals,” said Chernove.

This was one of the toughest and best seasons for Canadian riders with so many top performances and accolades to select from. As mentioned the 2016 Best Canadian Cycling Moment/Performance goes the Men’s Team Pursuit with Pendrel’s Rio bronze and Ryan Roth’s 15th at the Elite Men’s Road Worlds road race getting honourable mention.

Congratulations to all winners and readers that voted. It’s great to see many of Canada’s top riders recognized for their fabulous efforts both at home and abroad.

Once again we also had great response to our “fun” categories naming the country’s best shops, cafes, events, and places to ride and we will present these results shortly.

Pedal Magazine’s 2016 Cycling Award WINNERS
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Best Overall Cyclist (Male or Female)
Men’s Team Pursuit (Ed Veal, Adam Jamieson, Aidan Caves, Jay Lamoureux, Bayley Simpson)

Best Overall Senior/U23 Male Cyclist
Ed Veal

Best Overall Senior/U23 Female Cyclist
Catharine Pendrel

Best Overall Junior Male Cyclist
Stefan Ritter

Best Overall Junior Female Cyclist
Maggie Coles-Lyster

Best Road Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female)
Alec Cowan

Best Track Senior Cyclist (Male or Female)
Men’s Team Pursuit (Ed Veal, Adam Jamieson, Aidan Caves, Jay Lamoureux, Bayley Simpson)

Best MTB XC Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female)
Catharine Pendrel

Best MTB DH Senior Cyclist (Male or Female)
Hugo Langevin

Best CX Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female)
Michael Van Den Ham

Best BMX Cyclist (Male or Female)
Tory Nyhaug

Best Paracycling Cyclist (Male or Female)
Tristen Chernove

2016 Best Canadian Cycling Moment/Performance
Men’s Team Pursuit gold at the UCI Track World Cup in Apeldoorn (NED)