With BC Superweek currently underway in the lower mainland, it’s interesting to see the number of cyclists on the roadways or even taking to the trails or hills in various areas.
Now we are hearing that there are going to be a full two weekends of Canadian Mountain Bike Championships all starting this weekend.
The first will be the Downhill (DHI) and Marathon (XCM) championships followed by the Cross-country (XCO) the following weekend.
They are returning to East Hereford Quebec for the XCM Championships that will see all riders compete in the longest endurance discipline of mountain biking, the – namely called of all titles “The Marathon.”
They have designed the event so the start will be a long climb which is punctuated by sections of single track followed by a descent at the 30 kilometre mark.
At this point the riders began a series of intense climbs to the highest point (864 metres) which is 60 kilometres into the race, only to be followed by a steady descent to the proverbial finish line.
Newmarket Ontario’s Elyse Nieuwold holds the title for the women, while multi-time XCO and Cyclo-cross champion, while North Vancouver’s Geoff Kabush (Scott-Maxxis) won the Men’s event.
Kabush will not defend his title as he is just wrapping up the B.C. Bike Race stage race.
Josh Peacock, Event Coordinator for Cycling Canada told the media “We are excited to once again return to the East Hereford region of Quebec for the 2017 edition of the Canadian Cross Country Marathon Championships.”
Josh continued “As a part of the greater FestivAllezY Jean-D’Avignon, riders at both the competitive and recreational levels will be treated to some of the best terrain the region has to offer. We expect both familiar faces and new challengers to compete for the coveted maple leaf jersey, and look forward to some great competition.”
Panorama BC will be the site for the Downhill Championships and was selected due to its long history of producing top level competition.
“We are very excited to have Panorama Mountain Resort play host to the 2017 Canadian Downhill Championships,” said Peacock.
July 16th kicks off the Championship races for all categories and it’s only proper that the Canadian red and white maple leaf jerseys are awarded for both Women and Men in Under-17, Junior (17-18), Elite (19+) and Masters age group categories (30-39, 40-49 and 50+ for men, 30+ for women).
Among the athletes expected to be in attendance are World Cup professional riders Miranda Miller (Specialized), the defending women’s champion, Vaea Verbeeck, seventh at the most recent World Cup, and Mark Wallace (Canyon Factory), who is currently ranked sixth in the world.
About Cycling Canada
Cycling Canada is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada and was founded in 1882.
Cycling Canada aims to create and sustain an effective system that develops talented Canadian cyclists to achieve Olympic, Paralympic, and World Championship medal performances.
With the vision of being a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020 celebrating enhanced international success, increased national participation and world class event hosting.
Cycling Canada manages the High Performance team, hosts national and international events and administers programs to promote and grow cycling across the country.
Cycling Canada programs are made possible through the support of its valued corporate partners – Global Relay, Lexus Canada, Mattamy Homes, Louis Garneau and Bear Mountain Resort, along with the Government of Canada, Own The Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
For more info please contact Cycling Canada (613) 248 1353
