May 20, 2014 (Ottawa, ON) – Canada is sending a team of 13 athletes to compete in the third and fourth UCI World Cup races of the 2014 season, to be held over the next two weekends in Nove Mesto na Morave, CZE and Albstadt, GER.
Canada’s delegation is comprised of Elite, U23 and Junior riders and includes all of the Canadian medallists from the 2014 UCI Continental Championships; where the team earned four medals.
“We’re bringing a young team with a lot of talent and depth to these events. It’s a good opportunity to assess our preparation and make refinements for the World Cup stops in North America,” said Dan Proulx, Head Coach of the Canadian Mountain Bike Team. “This competition is also important for Canada as it marks the beginning of the Rio 2016 Olympic Qualification process for our Elite riders.”
In addition to the National Team, many other Canadian athletes will be competing in these races with their professional teams. Emily Batty of Brooklyn, ON (Trek Factory Racing), who earned a second place finish in the most recent UCI World Cup in Cairns, Australia will again aim for the top of the podium. Fellow Canadian Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, BC (Luna Pro Team) will also be competing. She is returning to the World Cup series after breaking her collarbone in training earlier this season.
Peter Disera of Barrie, ON, the silver medallist from 2013 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships junior race, will be racing with the national team and will compete in the U23 category for the first time.
Team Canada – UCI Mountain Bike World Cups
– Felix Belhumeur [Jr Men] Quebec, QC
– Laura Bietola [U23 Women] Greenwood, ON
– Léandre Bouchard [U23 Men] Alma, QC
– Felix Burke [Jr Men] Mont-Tremblant, QC
– Antoine Caron [U23 Men] Stoneham, QC
– Peter Disera [U23 Men] Barrie, ON
– Raphaël Gagné [Elite Men] Québec, QC
– Marine Lewis [Jr Women] St-Sauveur, QC
– Andréane Lanthier-Nadeau [U23 Women] Quebec, QC
– Jérémy Martin [U23 Men] Boischatel, QC
– Evan Mcneely [U23 Men] Kingston, ON
– Rachel Pageau [U23 Women] Chicoutimi, QC
– Frédérique Trudel [U23 Women] Breakeyville, QC
Coaches and Support Team
– Dan Proulx, Head Coach
– Ian Hughes, Development Coach
– Tara Lazarski, Physiotherapist
– Adam Trotter, Mechanic
– Justin Morse, Mechanic
– Sharleen Hoar, Mental Performance Consultant