By Nick Bergen
September 1, 2024
As summer wraps up, we’re excited to share some standout moments from our Provincial Program athletes.
High-performance athlete Adam Smith has continued to impress on the European junior road circuit. After securing first place at the Canadian Road National Criterium Championships and second place in the Canadian National Time Trial Championship, Adam returned to Europe with his team, PNW Racing. From August 6-21, he competed in various Kermesses and Belgian junior road races, including De Limburgse Pijl. At the Tour de Leman in the French Alps, Adam finished 4th in Stage 1 and was named Most Combative Rider. Despite a crash in Stage 2, he persevered to finish 5th in the final stage. Looking ahead, Adam will represent Canada at the UCI World Championships in Switzerland at the end of September, a fitting conclusion to an exceptional season.
Chicago Grit
In mid-July, eight of our Performance Program athletes headed to Chicago for a week of intense criterium racing at “Chicago Grit.” Facing large fields, fast, technical courses, and energetic crowds, our athletes experienced a challenging and exhilarating week. Over seven days, they honed their skills in tactics, positioning, cornering, and nutrition, achieving significant fitness gains. Their efforts paid off with three podium finishes: Aubrey Allan took first place in Cat 4 at Lake Ellyn, Matthaeus Dyck earned 3rd in Cat 2 at Mundelein, and Ewan Dalling secured 2nd place in Cat 2 at Lombard.
2024 Manitoba Summer Games
Back home in Manitoba, several of our Development athletes shone at the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games. In the U15 Male Short Track, Provincial Program athletes Nevin Howanyk, Cade Burley, and Jackson Byers claimed the top three spots. Devo ONE’s Charlotte Klassen won the U15 Female Short Track, while Graham Zagozewski and Vibha Raghavendran from Devo ONE earned third place in the U13 Male and Female Short Tracks, respectively. The following day, our athletes continued their success in the Cross Country Mountain Bike races. Cade Burley, Nevin Howanyk, and Jackson Byers secured the top three positions in the U15 XCO Male category. Charlotte Klassen again led the field to win the U15 XCO Female race, with Graham Zagozewski and Vibha Raghavendran finishing second and third in the U13 Male and Female XCO races. Congratulations to all who competed and made us proud at the Manitoba Summer Games!
Athlete Development
In mid-August, Wayne Bishop and I took eight Provincial Program athletes to Cuyuna for an intensive mountain bike training camp. Over four days, the team rode up to six hours daily, refining their skills on the scenic trails. Each morning began with a presentation on the day’s technical focus, followed by hands-on practice. Afternoons featured seminars on mechanical maintenance, nutrition, and recovery. Evenings were spent discussing progress and setting goals for the upcoming season, with athletes reflecting on their achievements and areas for growth. Another highlight from this trip was Jackson Byers’ impressive performance, securing 2nd place at the Cuyuna Crusher in the Minnesota Mountain Bike Race Series on August 25. The camp was a valuable experience, fostering independence and skill development both on and off the bike. Overall, it was a highly successful and memorable camp for everyone involved.
Looking Ahead
As we wrap up an exciting season of achievements and development, we’re gearing up for the Cyclocross season ahead. We look forward to seeing everyone out on the race courses and continuing to build on our momentum. Here’s to an amazing season of racing and growth!
