January 22, 2013 (Hamilton, ON) – The NCCH Team CHCH annual awards dinner on January 19 had a decidedly yellow flavour. That’s because former Canadian pro tour rider and celebrated yellow jersey wearer Steve Bauer joined the celebration. The evening highlighted riders, coaches, sponsors and volunteers who came together to recognize a 2012 racing season that saw Team CHCH garner 8 national medals, more than 100 podium results and bring home the Ontario Youth Cup and O Cup Road Series Championships.
“2012 was an extraordinary year for our riders,” said head coach Rick Lee. “This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team all the way from development riders to our elite competitors.” The more than 150 people in attendance at the awards were told the Tri-Cycle School Program has introduced cycling to about 10,000 students at 50 area schools and will bring an additional 75 riders into the development program for 2013. NCCH expects to have its program supporting 150 riders this spring.
Lee and others were pleased with Bauer’s comments about the success of NCCH. He praised all who contributed to the growth of the development program at NCCH and acknowledged how important it is to support cycling at the junior level. “It’s a great boost to have Steve Bauer recognizing our accomplishments,” said Lee.
Junior Women’s National Time Trial Champion Saskia Kowalchuk was jointly awarded the 2012 Rider of the Year, which she shares with Ben Perry; an elite men’s rider with the 2012 team who is now off to Belgium to race this season with the Lotto Bellisol Under 23 squad.
NCCH plans to leverage track cycling infrastructure being added in the region in advance of the 2015 Pan Am Games. “Track cycling was an area where we surprised a number of people last season,” said NCCH president Lloyd Fairbairn. “As we build our plans for the coming season, we’ll have a major focus on the track with the Milton Velodrome opening in 2014.”
2012 Award Winners:
– NCCH U13 Male Youth MTB Rider – Will Holton
– NCCH U13 Female Youth MTB Rider – Nydia Ramos Urrutia
– NCCH U15 Male Youth MTB Rider – James Davidson
– NCCH U19 Male Youth MTB Rider – Riley Blott
– NCCH Youth MTB Spirit Award – Jack Schultz
– NCCH U15 Male Rider of the Year – Jordann Jones
– NCCH U15 Female Rider of the Year – Hillary Lowry
– NCCH U17 Female Rider of the Year – Mary Clare Holton
– NCCH U17 Male Rider of the Year – Adam Jamieson
– NCCH U19 Male Rider of the Year – Ben Perry
– NCCH U19 Female Rider of the Year – Saskia Kowalchuk
– NCCH U23 Rider of the Year – Dave Zorko
– NCCH Masters Rider of the Year – Kevin Tearle
– NCCH Volunteer of the Year – George Eastwood
– NCCH Road Rider Team Spirit Award sponsored by Niko Apparel – Emily McDonald
– NCCH Contributor Award – Lesley Campbell
– NCCH Athlete of the Year – Saskia Kowalchuk/Ben Perry {joint winners}