03.30.11 - TOP JUNIOR CYCLISTS TO PARTICIPATE AT 2011 JUNIOR PAN-AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Growth of cycling and the success of the Canadian Cycling Team becoming an attractive property for corporate Canada

Mar Del Plata, Argentina, to host top junior cyclists from April 11 through 17

(Ottawa, ON – March 31, 2011) The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) is pleased to announce the athletes selected to represent Canada at the 2011 Junior Pan American Championships to be held April 11 through 17 in Mar Del Plata, Argentina.

Ten of Canada’s top junior cyclists, including five returning athletes, will participate at this large event for the nations of the Americas.

The list notably includes Canadian Junior Champions Alex Cataford of Ottawa, ON (M Individual Pursuit) and Allison Beveridge of Calgary, AB (W Keirin, Ind. Pursuit, Scratch, Points) amongst others.

For a second straight year, Rob Good of Ontario will be leading the team to Argentina as the head coach and team leader.

“In the spring of 2010, after seeing a surge in participation in track cycling in Canada a group of coach’s wanted to give Junior athletes a better build up to International competition. The junior Pan Am Championships were viewed as a stepping stone to encourage young athletes in Canada to be able to compete internationally at the highest level,” said Good about the event.

“We came home with two Gold medals and a total of ten medals. This was very encouraging and showed that if we can take the time to give juniors a chance to compete they will perform,” added Good..

“The team has set realistic goals for 2011. We are entering competition with a better understanding of how the racing takes shape and the athletes will have a game plan going into each event. The 5 returning athletes on the team know what it will take to podium and that is the goal of all members of the team.”

At the same event in 2010, Canadian cyclists placed third in the medal ranking with 10 medals, including five medals by Beveridge.

The track events will be held on a 250-meter concrete track in an outdoor velodrome.

CANADIAN TEAM – 2011 JUNIOR PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

BEVERIDGE, Allison (Calgary, AB) – Omnium, Points Race, Scratch Race, Individual Pursuit, Road Race

NESDOLY, Nina (Ottawa, ON) – Individual Pursuit, Points Race, Scratch Race, Road Race

LABRIE, Audrey (Prévost, QC) – Sprint, 500m TT, Keirin

CATAFORD, Alex (Ottawa, ON) – Individual Pursuit, Team Pursuit, Points race, Omnium, Road Race

JEAN, Emile (Trois-Rivières, QC) – Individual pursuit, Team Pursuit, Scratch Race, Road Race

BUCKOSKY, Kyle (Surrey, BC) – Team Pursuit, Points Race, Madison, Road Race

CAVES, Aiden (Vancouver, BC) –Team Pursuit, Scratch race, Road Race

OVSENEK, Kristopher (London, ON) – Sprint, Kilo, Team Sprint

MARANS, Jesse (Los Angeles, CA) – Sprint, Keirin, Team Sprint

MCKENZIE-PICOT, Daniel (London, ON) – Sprint, Keirin, Team Sprint

SCHEDULE

April 11 – M/W Time Trial (Road)

April 12 – M Team Sprint; W Individual Pursuit; M Points Race (Track)

April 13 – M Scratch; W Team Sprint; M Individual Pursuit; W Team Pursuit; M Keirin (Track)

April 14 – M Kilo; W Scratch, M Team Pursuit (Track)

April 15 – M Madison; W Sprint; M/W Omnium I, II, III (Track)

April 16 – M Sprint; W Keirin; W Points Race; M/W Omnium IV, V, VI (Track)

April 17 – M/W Road Race (Road)