Ontario was well represented with 5 of the 10 Team Canada athletes competing in the UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships in Luoyang, China on August 21-25. Ontario Provincial Coach David Jack was also named as one of the coaches supporting the team along with Murray Solem providing mechanical support.
The level of competition was extremely high with new world records being set. Albert Taylor, Cole Dempster, and Anika Brants came into the event having previously competed at the 2023 UCI Junior Track World Championships. Their Coach David Jack summarized the event by saying: “Overall, some excellent learning for everyone.” This was highlighted Albert Taylor putting up a personal best 3:17 in the IP along with Cole Dempster showing he is among the best in the world at his age class in match sprint. Unfortunately, a crash took Anika Brants out of the Omnium. However, this provided an opportunity for Larissa Pedersen to gain experience racing among the strongest bunch racers in the world. Jayden McMullan had an excellent elimination race placing 12th in a fast-exciting race.
Congratulations to all our athletes for representing Canada proudly and to Ontario Cycling member Ashlin Barry, who trains with the Ontario Track Academy, for capturing a silver medal as part of Team USA.
Ontario Athletes
Anika Brants (Strathroy)
Cole Dempster (Milton)
Larissa Pedersen (Kitchener)
Jayden McMullan (St. Thomas)
Albert Taylor (Cambridge)
Women’s Team Pursuit
8th – Anika Brants, Larissa Pedersen
Women’s Scratch
Anika Brants – DNF
Women’s Omnium
Larissa Pedersen:
Scratch Race – 12th
Tempo Race – 19th
FINAL CLASSIFICATION – DNF
Women’s Individual Pursuit
20th – Larissa Pedersen
Men’s Team Pursuit
8th – Jayden McMullan, Albert Taylor
Men’s Keirin
10th – Cole Dempster
Men’s Sprint
8th – Cole Dempster
Men’s Individual Pursuit
14th – Albert Taylor
Men’s Elimination Race
12th – Jayden McMullen
Men’s 1KM Time Trial
28th – Cole Dempster
35th – Albert Taylor
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