After extensive consultation with athletes and Provincial
and Territorial cycling associations the Canadian
Cycling Association is pleased to announce the launch
of the Race Clean OWN YOUR VICTORY program. This program
is athlete driven and compliments the highly successful
Roulez Gagnants au Naturel program that the Fédération
québécois des sports cyclistes has been
delivering in that province and through their provincial
teams at national and invitational events.
The Race Clean OWN YOUR VICTORY logo was developed
by Edmonton graphic designer Kathryn Jamieson-Lega.
It symbolizes Canadian cyclists’ commitment
to drug free sport and the words have a very profound
and personal meaning.
Race Clean: these words directly
address and recognize the importance of fair play,
clean sport, and the obligation racers have to compete
within the rules. It is our hope that all Canadian
athletes respect the rules which include not using
prohibited substances or practices.
OWN YOUR VICTORY: these words hope
to promote a more personal and internal motivation
for clean sport. We hope that every athlete strives
to achieve their own personal goals or victories no
matter what they may be; from local club races all
the way to the Olympics. We also hope that they have
complete ownership of these victories and are able
to feel the reward of their hard work and dedication.
We don't want the victories or accomplishments to
ring hollow with ownership belonging to cheating or
doping. No matter what the accomplishment we hope
the athletes can look at their results with pride
and never have to ask what they could have achieved
themselves.
We are lucky to have such great role models for clean
sport in Canadian Cycling. Riders such as Tara Whitten,
Svein Tuft, Catharine Pendrel, Geoff Kabush, Zach
Bell, Erinne Willock, and others are showing that
there is no limit to what you can achieve at the highest
level of sport.
“It was a much more difficult situation when
I started racing but I am very optimistic for the
next generation of cyclists. I made the decision
very early in my career that everything I was going
to achieve was going to happen naturally. It is
so much more rewarding to be on top of a podium
knowing that it was due to my hard work, dedication,
and desire to continually learn and improve myself.
I hope that the “Race Clean, Own Your Victory”
message helps inspire the current and next generation
of cyclists to make the decision to pursue their
goals with confidence.”
Geoff Kabush
Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain
“I'm really excited about this athlete driven
Race Clean initiative. Canadian cyclists are making
a statement. Look to see us proudly Owning Our Victories
this summer!”
Catharine Pendrel
LUNA Chix Pro Team
"I choose to 'Race Clean' because I believe
sport is the opportunity to challenge our bodies
and perform at our full capacity through the aid
of training, determination, discipline and passion."
Erinne Willock
Webcor Builders Women’s Professional Cycling
Team
"Personal achievement is only real if it is
gained through honest athletic
development. Success is only as worth having because
of the journey it
takes to achieve it."
"We have to believe that sport and competition
can exist in an honest drug
free environment. By making this statement as a
group we can strengthen
our resolve and know everything we do as a national
team is not only
honest but can be achieved drug free."
"If we can be successful drug free, young
athletes will understand that
ANY athlete can win drug free."
Zach Bell
Kelly Benefits - Medifast Pro Cycling Team
From these testimonials it can be seen that our athletes
are stepping up to the challenge and opportunity provided
by the Race Clean program. At a recent camp in Tucson,
Arizona members of the National Road and Mountain
Bike Teams were presented Race Clean socks and wristbands
to wear in training and competition for this next
season.
As the season unfolds there will be other aspects
of the program present at National Championships and
events hosted in Canada. Look to the CCA website for
further information on the Race Clean OWN
YOUR VICTORY program in the near future.
Disclaimer: Race Clean Own Your Victory is not in
any way affiliated or related to Ride Clean ®
LLC. Race Clean Own Your Victory gear is not available
for sale to the United States.