2013-14 TRACK AND ROAD PROGRAMS
BY CRAIG GRIFFIN, IAN MELVIN, ERIN HARTWELL, DENISE KELLY, LUC ARSENEAU, GORD FRASER AND JACQUES LANDRY
Effective Dec. 20, 2013 Updated March 3, March 27 and May 20, 2014
PLEASE NOTE: ALL PROGRAMMING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
This document is to provide insight on National Team planning for the upcoming track season. It is important to note that programming may change at any time due to financial circumstances, staffing, changes to the international track calendar, etc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction ...... 3 1.1 Track program overview ...... 3 1.2 Women’s Road Program Overview ...... 3 1.3 Men’s Road Program Overview ...... 3 2.0 Women’s Endurance Program ...... 5 2.1 Women’s Elite Track Endurance ...... 5 2.2 Women’s Elite Road ...... 6 2.3 Women’s Junior Road ...... 6 3.0 Men’s Endurance Program ...... 7 3.1 Men’s Elite Track Endurance ...... 7 3.2 Men’s Elite Road ...... 8 3.3 Men’s U23 Road ...... 8 3.4 Men’s Junior Road...... 9 3.5 Talent Identification Programs ...... 10 4.0 Women and Men’s Sprint Program ...... 11 5.0 Junior Track Program – Sprint & Endurance ...... 12 6.0 Conclusion ...... 13
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1.0 Introduction
1.1 Track program overview
The 2013-2014 track season is now underway. The Canadian team is building on its success over the last four years including outstanding performances by multiple World Champion Tara Whitten and World Cup Champion Zach Bell culminating with a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games by the women’s team pursuit squad consisting of Gillian Carleton, Jasmin Glaesser and Whitten.
The focus for the next two years has shifted towards performance development and laying the groundwork to continue building our world-class program. To this end, as we wait for the doors to open at the new Mattamy National Cycling Centre velodrome in Milton, Ont., talent identification and development camps will be based in Los Angeles as in previous years to allow for an optimal Daily Training Environment (DTE) and access to an international-standard velodrome. These activities will be run by Cycling Canada’s new track endurance coach, Craig Griffin, track development coach Ian Melvin and sprint coach Erin Hartwell.
Coach development will also be a main motivation to gather the best talent Canada has to offer to achieve our vision of being one of the leading cycling nations by 2020. As part of their ongoing development, mentoring and education, provincial coaches will be selected by Cycling Canada to support the national coaches and athletes in activities outlined for each respective program. The track program will also be looking to the road program and coaches to assist in its talent identification and development initiatives for endurance athletes. This will create a larger athlete pool. Cycling Canada is commencing a major culture shift in Canadian cycling by integrating track endurance into the road program. This integration has been proven effective by the Olympic successes of Great Britain and Australia.
By bringing a broader group of athletes into contact with the Canadian team coaches and staff, we will be able to: • develop athletes through international competitions; • build upon the professionalism of the National Team; • provide mentoring opportunities for coaches; • share information and direction of the new quadrennial plan; • contact athletes about their training and racing program; • contact team managers about the 2014 racing program; • contact provincial coaches to share information regarding camps and development program; • open lines of communication with athletes regarding selection procedures for major events; • begin IST assessments with targeted athletes.
1.2 Women’s Road Program Overview
The 2013 season saw success for the elite women on the road characterized by top fives at World Cups and international stage races. In 2014 we will see the top riders racing with their trade teams in North America and Europe. With the alignment of the road and track programs, the growth of the overall endurance pool will allow for a broader selection of endurance athletes – both road and track – to race at high quality events. Riders selected to World Championship and Commonwealth Games will be expected to attain top performances.
Our biggest success at the 2013 Road World Championships came in the junior women’s time trial with a top-10 from a track endurance athlete. This focus on integrating the track riders into the road program will continue for 2014 with the expansion of the development track program. Riders selected to the World Championships will be expected to be prepared to perform at a top level.
1.3 Men’s Road Program Overview
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With most of the elite road men spending the bulk of their season with their trade teams, the 2013 men’s road program was marked by an increasing amalgamation with the track program. As an example, we saw some track riding incorporated into the U23 Spring program, and many road athletes attended track camps and the Canadian Track Championships.
At the same time, the national team continued to provide elite road men with racing opportunities at all of the Canadian UCI events that filled important gaps in the programs they had with their trade teams. With a tough economic season and other factors, we have a few outstanding riders opting for retirement or unable to continue racing at the professional level. That said, there will still be a minimum of 17 Canadian athletes on foreign registered professional teams for 2014.
We also saw some promising results from our junior road men during the last season, and we will be looking at building on this success. As for the U23s, we are also pleased to see another rider sign a WorldTour contract for 2014.
We expect to continue the integration of track and road in 2014. Not only will we be encouraging riders to ride the track, but we will also be accommodating track riders in our road projects as part of their respective Yearly Training Plans.
Every year, our athlete pool is getting stronger and deeper. With world-class coaching and a dedicated IST team in place, in 2014 we expect to:
• support the National Track (development and Team Pursuit) program; • ensure each athlete has a concrete and individualized plan for addressing areas of improvement; • increase emphasis on Mental Performance; • work with coaches and athletes to improve the quality of the DTE and training methods to meet evolving performance demands; • increase support for developing Elite riders who are rapidly improving and can sign professional contracts; • continue to develop the National Team program so that international success is realized at an earlier age; • continue to strengthen our Talent ID program by identifying and developing athletes earlier; • provide more in-depth guidance and support to Talent Identified riders and coaches; • continue to expose athletes to international competition at the Junior level; • continue to improve the quality and frequency of communication with personal and provincial coaches.
This document details the objectives for the 2013-14 track and road season. It is categorized by discipline to allow for easy reference. Documents to be consulted simultaneously include the National Team Program calendars and selection policies. These can all be found on the Cycling Canada website at: www.cyclingcanada.ca
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2.0 Women’s Endurance Program
2.1 Women’s Elite Track Endurance
To build on our women’s endurance success in the last years our track program will be aligning with the road program to build the women’s endurance athlete pool. Track endurance athletes will benefit from road racing and training in Europe and North America while the positive effect on our road program will be evident as riders develop better skills, tactics and racing qualities from the track. The road and track endurance pool will be combined with opportunities offered both on the road and track.
The women’s track program is focused on the team pursuit and consists of the World Cup and World Championships leading into a spring and summer campaign revolving around road projects and the Commonwealth Games. Road riders will be integrated in most of our development camps and we will be seeing more track racing over the summer months as per the UCI track reform. For details on the reform, click here.
Finally, in September the 2014-2015 season will kick off with the Pan Am Championships before the inaugural events at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario, in October.
The priorities of the 2013-14 program will be: • to build the women’s endurance athlete pool by aligning the road and track endurance programs; • to enhance our athletes’ daily training environment (DTE); • to continue to introduce developing athletes into international competitions; • to maximize our number of UCI points in order to qualify for World Cups to then qualify for World Championships; • to provide athletes selected to World Cups and World Championships with the ideal preparation prior to said competitions.
The objectives of the 2013-14 program will be: • to remain Top 5 in the World Cup standings, and to podium at World Championships; • to podium at Pan Am Championships.
WOMEN’S ELITE AND DEVELOPMENT TRACK CAMPS AND COMPETITIONS Oct. 5-13, 2013 Development Camp* Los Angeles USA Nov. 1-3, 2013 Track World Cup #1 Manchester GBR Nov. 16-27, 2013 Elite and Development Camp* Los Angeles USA Nov. 22-24, 2013 LA Grand Prix (UCI C1) Los Angeles USA Dec. 5-7, 2013 Track World Cup #2 Aguascalientes MEX Dec. 14-22, 2013 Elite and Development Camp California USA Jan. 5-21, 2014 Elite and Development Track Camp* Los Angeles USA Jan. 17-19, 2014 Track World Cup #3 Guadalajara MEX Feb. 4-20, 2014 World Championships Final Preparation Camp Los Angeles USA Feb. 26-March 2, 2014 Track World Championships** Cali COL May 20-26, 2014 Elite and Development Camp* Los Angeles USA May 20-21, 2014 Women’s Track Endurance Commonwealth Games Trials Los Angeles USA June 23-July 9, 2014 Commonwealth Altitude Camp Colorado USA July 10-19, 2014 Commonwealth Games Camp Los Angeles USA July 23-Aug. 3, 2014 Commonwealth Games*** Glasgow GBR Sept. 9-14, 2014 Track Pan Am Championships Aguascalientes MEX Oct. 17-19, 2014 Milton International Challenge (UCI C1) Milton ON Oct. 22-25, 2014 Canadian Track Championships Milton ON
* Includes invited road athletes
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** Pending UCI qualification process *** Individual events only, as the team pursuit is not yet part of the Commonwealth Games program
2.2 Women’s Elite Road
With the alignment of the road and track program, the road only focus will be on major games and championships. The priority for selection to these events will be on performance and not development. Development opportunities will be available to road riders once the identified track endurance program’s needs have been met.
The priorities of the 2014 road program will be: • to build the women’s endurance athlete pool by continuing to align the road and track endurance programs; • to enhance our athletes’ daily training environment (DTE); • to increase the cohesiveness of riders; • to continue to introduce developing athletes into international competitions; • to refine selection of athletes to major competitions to those ready to perform; • to liase with trade team directors of those athletes selected to Commonwealth Games and World Championships with the ideal race preparation prior to said competitions; • to ensure more specific communication with the coaches of selected athletes regarding the athletes’ preparation and physical, psychological and emotional readiness to be able to perform to their best and be competitive with the top international riders.
The objectives of the 2014 road program will be: • to place one rider in the top 10 at the World Championships (Elite and Junior); • to podium at Commonwealth Games (Elite).
2.3 Women’s Junior Road
The road World Championships will be the focus of the Junior program. Ongoing open communication with provincial and personal coaches will assist:
• to identify emerging talent for the road and track; • to monitor identified and carded athletes’ fitness and form prior to selected events.
Selection to the Worlds team will be based on National Championships, Tour de la Relêve and other North American races. Track participation and prowess will be a high priority.
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WOMEN’S ELITE AND JUNIOR ROAD CAMPS AND COMPETITIONS Jan. 21-27 Road training camp California USA Elite April 7-May 4 European Spring Project (Option 1) Tielt-Winge BEL Elite • April 7 - Grand Prix de Dottignies BEL • April 9-13 - Energiewacht Tour NED • April 20 - Ronde van Gelderland NED • April 25 - van Borsele ITT NED • April 26 - EPZ Omloop van Borsele WE NED • April 27 - Dwars door de Westhoek BEL • May 2-5 - Festival Luxembourgeois LUX May 8-10, 2014 Road Pan Am Championships MEX Elite June 1, 2014 Philadelphia Cycling Classic (UCI 1.1)* Philadelphia USA Elite* June 6, 2014 Chrono Gatineau (UCI 1.1)* Gatineau QC Elite* June 7, 2014 Grand Prix Cycliste de Gatineau (UCI 1.1)* Gatineau QC Elite* July 6, 2014 Tour de Delta (UCI 1.2) BC Elite July 6-16, 2014 BC Superweek** BC Elite July 23-Aug. 3, 2014 Commonwealth Games*** Glasgow GBR Elite Sept. 8-21, 2014 Pre-worlds preparation Tielt-Winge BEL Junior Sept. 7, 2014 Boels Rental Ladies Tour NED Elite 14 Sept. 2014 Chrono Champenois FRA Elite Sept. 20-28, 2014 World Championships*** Ponferrada ESP Elite and Junior Amended on May 20, 2014 * Junior women may be invited ** Tentative *** Pending UCI qualification process and coaches’ assessment of team’s competitiveness
3.0 Men’s Endurance Program
3.1 Men’s Elite Track Endurance
Cycling Canada’s focus for the men’s endurance program is to build its athlete pool by identifying athletes who show promise to become competitive on the international scene. The main focus will be on the Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games and ultimately becoming a medal contender for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Integrating the road and track programs into a larger endurance program will create opportunities to help develop identified athletes to the international level. As seen in leading track nations such as Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, early specialisation in track has long-term benefits both in terms of track specific success but also towards a professional road career.
Similar to the women’s program, the men’s endurance program will focus on the team pursuit, with opportunities in individual events to qualified athletes.
The priorities of the 2013-14 program will be: • to build the men’s endurance athlete pool by aligning the road and track endurance programs; • to provide training and camp opportunities to identified emerging track endurance athletes; • to continue to introduce developing athletes into international track and road competitions like Pan Am Championships, Class 1-3 UCI track events and selected road events, working towards Commonwealth Games and Pan Am Games. • to provide supplemental race days away from athletes’ regular professional trade teams; • to further educate and promote a staunch anti- doping stance to our athletes through the RaceClean program and other initiatives;
The objectives of the 2013-14 program will be:
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• to medal at the Pan Am Championships; • to qualify for the 2014-15 Track World Cup season.
MEN’S ELITE AND DEVELOPMENT TRACK CAMPS AND COMPETITIONS Oct. 5-13, 2013 Development Camp Los Angeles USA Development Nov. 16-27, 2013 Elite and Development Camp Los Angeles USA Elite and Development Nov. 22-24, 2013 LA Grand Prix (UCI C1) Los Angeles USA Development Nov. 28-Dec. 15, 2013 Road Camp California US Elite and Development Jan. 4-12, 2014 Elite and Development Camp Los Angeles USA Elite and Development Feb. 9-23, 2014 Road Camp California USA Elite and Development March 8-16, 2014 Track camp and Commonwealth Games Trials Los Angeles USA Elite and Development May 24-26, 2014 Killington Stage Race* Vermont USA Development July 23-Aug. 3, 2014 Commonwealth Games** Glasgow GBR Development Aug. 29-Sept 1 Green Mountain Stage Race* Vermont USA Development Sept. 9-14, 2014 Track Pan Am Championships Aguascalientes MEX Elite and Development Oct. 17-19, 2014 Milton International Challenge (UCI C1) Milton ON All Oct. 22-25, 2014 Canadian Track Championships Milton ON All
* Will also include training camp ** Depending on quotas and the ability to field a competitive team
3.2 Men’s Elite Road
The Canadian men’s elite road team will continue to come together at various races throughout North America with the main objective being the late-season World Championships, to be held in 2014 in Ponferrada, Spain.
The priorities of the 2014 men’s elite road program will be: • to build the men’s endurance athlete pool by aligning the road and track endurance programs; • to continue promoting a winning culture by raising expectations from our professional road athletes; • to provide supplemental race days away from athletes’ regular professional trade teams; • to represent internationally our National Team sponsors and to attract new corporate partners going forward; • to further educate and promote a staunch anti- doping stance to our athletes through the RaceClean program and other initiatives; • to emphasize the importance of valuable WT and UCI America Tour points to maximize team size at the road World Championships.
The objectives of the 2014 elite men’s road program will be: • Top-12 finish in the elite men’s road time trial at the world championships. • Top-25 finish in the elite men’s road race at the world championships.
3.3 Men’s U23 Road
The primary objective of the U23 Road Program is to identify, build and support athletes who have the potential to win medals at the U23 World Championships and sign professional contracts. That level of performance correlates strongly with an athlete’s future potential to earn Olympic and World Championship medals. In 2014, we are identifying U23 athletes who have the potential to improve to a level where they can earn a berth in the National Team Pursuit program and eventually make it to the WorldTour level.
The priorities of the 2014 men’s U23 road program will be: • to support and empower athletes and coaches to build a comprehensive training and racing program that builds toward medal performances at the U23 World Championships;
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• to increase emphasis on Mental Performance; • to identify and support U23 athletes who are part of the National Team Pursuit program; • to continue to use Performance on Demand selection events for U23 programs; • to continue to educate coaches and athletes on the importance of building training capacity throughout an athlete’s career; • to enter the national team in Nation Cups and World Championships with full coaching, IST and logistical support; • to continue improving the level of communication and interaction between athletes and National Team coaches throughout the year; • to enhance the DTE by increasing the level of feedback provided to each athlete and/or their personal coach after each project; • to continue providing the National Team Development Coach’s services and training programs throughout the year for selected athletes in the National Program.
The objectives of the 2014 men’s U23 road program will be: • A top-20 finish at the World Championships • A minimum of one top-12 finish at a Nation Cup or UCI 2.2 event
3.4 Men’s Junior Road
The aim of the National Junior Road Program is to develop athletes who are capable of winning medals at the Junior and U23 World Championships as well as to work in partnership with the National Track Program. The program relies heavily on the expertise of personal, club and provincial coaches who begin working with athletes in a systematic manner at an early age. The Junior program involves a strong emphasis on athlete and coach development. It’s important that Canada provide an accelerated and systematic learning environment for it’s young mountain bike athletes. The program also has to be fun if it’s to be successful in the long-term.
The priorities of the 2014 men’s Junior road program will be: • to continue to build an in-depth development program for talent identified athletes and their coaches; • to create a development camp format to be used by provinces to help increase the athlete pool and number of provincial high performance coaching opportunities.; • to create targeted camps to help talent identified athletes progress; • to identify and address gaps in performance between Canada’s best Junior athletes and World Championships medalists; • to continue to provide National Team projects to accelerate the development of Canada’s juniors; • to create a comprehensive LTAD to help coaches and athletes to increase their performance level; • to continue providing the National Team Development Coach’s services and training programs throughout the year for selected athletes in the National Program; • to keep inspiring and developing high performance provincial coaches in our system and provide opportunities for their professional development.
The objectives of the 2014 men’s Junior road program will be: • A top-16 finish at the World Championships • A top-12 finish on the Nations Cup Ranking
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MEN’S ELITE, U23 AND JUNIOR ROAD CAMPS AND COMPETITIONS April 9-28 U23 Spring Project 1 Tielt-Winge BEL U23* • Schoten OR Herne • Evergem-Belzele • Duffel • Dilsen-Stokkem • G-Skin Arden Challenge May 15-June 2 U23 Spring Project 2 Tielt-Winge BEL and IRL U23* • An Post Ras (UCI 2.2) • Flèche du Sud (UCI 2.2) May 10-June 16 Junior Spring Project Tielt-Winge BEL Junior • Belgian Kermesses • Le Trophée Centre Morbihan (NCup) • Le Tour du Pays de Vaud June 5-8 Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay (UCI 2.2) QC Elite and U23 June 11-16 Tour de Beauce (UCI 2.2) QC Elite July 6 Tour de Delta (UCI 1.2) BC Elite July 22-27 Tour de l’Abitibi (UCI 2.2) QC Junior July 23-Aug. 3 Commonwealth Games** Glasgow GBR Elite Sept. 2-9 Tour of Alberta (UCI 2.1) AB Elite and U23 Sept. 11 Challenge Pro Sprint Quebec QC Elite and U23 Sept. 12 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec (UCI WT) Quebec QC Elite and U23 Sept. 14 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal (UCI WT) Montreal QC Elite and U23 Aug. 24-Sept. 20 Junior World Championship Preparation Tielt-Winge BEL Junior • Omloop der Vlaamse Gewesten • Omloop Mandel – Leie – Schelde • La Philippe Gilbert juniors • Keizer der Juniores Sept. 20-28 World Championships*** Ponferrada ESP Elite, U23 and Junior Amended on May 20, 2014 * With members of the track endurance team ** Depending on quotas and the ability to field a competitive team *** Depending the UCI qualification process and the ability to field a competitive team
3.5 Talent Identification Programs
This year, we will introduce a road Talent ID Program. This program is aimed at Cadet and Junior athletes. The long-term aim of the program is to consistently identify athletes, coaches and programs with the potential to reach the Podium Performance Pathway.
Young athletes need a FUN and positive environment in order to succeed. A fun club environment that is built around friendship and shared experience is best. Games and fun races help athletes to build the skill and agility needed to be World Class. Young athletes can learn to apply the core values of the National Team at an early age.
The priorities of the road Talent ID program will be: • to increase emphasis on Talent ID and recruitment; • to identify athletes earlier (i.e. Cadet) and identify and grow talented coaches who can build fun programs that align with National Team; • to identify and build upon fundamental skills required to progress toward Best in the World; • to identify and nurture personal and athletic traits (i.e. work ethic, optimism, accountability, perseverance) that are essential to success; • to develop Team Camps in coordination with the national racing schedule;
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• to create Outreach programs for PSO and Club programs; • to create a database of Talent ID Coaches and Athletes; • to help parents, athletes and coaches learn faster.
ROAD TALENT ID CAMPS May 23-25 Hayman Classic Penticton BC July 10-13 Tour de la Rélève de Rimouski Rimouski QC Sept. 12-14 (TBC) Centurion BM Blue Mountain ON Amended on May 20, 2014
4.0 Women and Men’s Sprint Program
The men and women’s track sprint program will have a multi-faceted approach for the 2014-2015 season:
1) Identify and develop new sprint talent through Talent Identification Initiatives (TID) with collaboration from Provincial associations and Canadian Sport Institutes/Centres and IST personnel; 2) provide program-driven, enhanced technical (coaching) and logistical (camps/clinics) support to existing elite and developmental sprint cyclists and their support teams, i.e., provinces, coaches, clubs, and Cycling Centres; and 3) create a centralized sprint program framework and nationally-standardized culture in Milton upon completion of the Mattamy National Cycling Centre Velodrome.
Details for all three preliminary initiatives are forthcoming upon development of program budgets, further definition of strategic priorities, and upon thorough assessment of available and anticipated resources.
The men and women’s sprint programs are considered resource equitable in nature, in part, due to the same number of medals available to both genders in the Olympic Program. However, select international events, i.e., Commonwealth Games, Pan American Cycling Championships, Pan American Games, etc., have, at times, a non- equitable event structure that may require gender-driven distribution of resources at times. Additionally, some track sprint events have a shorter window of elite development, i.e., women’s team sprint, and would thus be prioritized upon further elaboration of the track sprint strategic initiatives.
To close out the final quarter of the 2013 fiscal year, the national track sprint coach will work with previously identified elite sprint athletes at the Los Angeles team base in preparation for the third and final UCI Track Cycling World Cup of the 2013-2014 season and, contingent upon qualification of select athletes to the event, the 2014 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
In respect of the above directives, the track sprint program will develop a strategic racing calendar for the 2014- 2015 international track season with clearly defined elite and developmental objectives. UCI events in North America and Europe are expected to account for the majority of national team racing on the calendar as Cycling Canada looks to qualify sprint cyclists into the 2014-2015 UCI Track Cycling World Cup season and, more importantly, earn the necessary points to qualify sprint cyclists for select events at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Additionally, the National Track Sprint Coach will periodically tour Canada both to educate the cycling community about the changes at Cycling Canada regarding track sprint programming and to collaborate and integrate with regional personnel having a vested interest and commitment to sprint cycling. Track sprint cycling has held a relatively low profile in the Canadian cycling community, partly due to the lack of a dedicated steward for the program. With more medals available in track sprint than any other discipline, Cycling Canada has taken the
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initiative to address this matter by hiring the appropriate personnel, including a national track sprint coach, in an effort to raise the profile of the discipline.
Lastly, the National Track Sprint Coach will collaborate with the National Development Coach and Provincial coaches to develop transitional programming for junior athletes into the elite program.
Sprint program priorities for the last quarter of the 2013 fiscal year (Jan. 1 – March 31, 2014):
• Provide on-site coaching and related support to athletes qualified for the third and final round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico and the UCI World Track Cycling Championships in Cali, Colombia; • strategize and prepare an initial TID program framework in partnership with Provincial/Territorial Sports Organizations, Cycling Centres, and Canadian Sports Institutes/ Centers, academies and IST staff; • open lines of communication and embark on roadshow “meet and greets” with various Canadian Sports Institutes/ Centers and regional athletes, coaches, and clubs; • develop the 2014-2015 Track Sprint Racing Program (elite and development); • develop and communicate equitable and transparent selection criteria across the full spectrum of track sprint programming initiatives, i.e., TID and training camps and international events/teams; • coordinate with the National Development Coach on junior-related initiatives.
TRACK SPRINT CAMPS AND COMPETITIONS Jan. 8-16, 2014 World Cup camp Los Angeles USA Jan. 17-19, 2014 Track World Cup #3 Guadalajara MEX Jan. 21-Feb. 25, 2014 World Championships Camp Los Angeles USA Feb. 26-March 2, 2014 Track World Championships Cali COL
5.0 Junior Track Program – Sprint & Endurance
The junior track program has begun to flourish with the help of passionate provincial coaches organizing training camps to prepare for Junior Pan Am Championships and World Championships.
Forest City Velodrome in London ON and Burnaby Velodrome in BC have both been fundamental in providing track opportunities for juniors, and new talent is continually emerging from talent Identification camps.
The objectives of the 2013-14 program will be: • to maximize the number of athletes involved in the overall sprint and endurance programs; • to provide developing athletes training opportunities and camps in Canada and the U.S. (Los Angeles); • to continue to introduce developing athletes into international competitions such Junior Pan Am Championships and Junior World Championships.
The main goals of the 2013-14 program will be: • to medal at the Pan Am Junior Championships; • to have competitive (top-5) performances at the World Junior Championships; • to integrate graduating juniors into the elite programs.
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JUNIOR TRACK CAMPS AND COMPETITIONS Oct. 4-13, 2013 Development Camp for Identified Athletes Los Angeles USA Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2013 Eastern Junior Camp London ON Nov. 22-24, 2013 LA Grand Prix Los Angeles USA Dec. 27-30, 2013 Western Junior Camp Burnaby BC Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2014 Eastern Junior Camp London ON March 17-21, 2014 Western Junior Camp Burnaby BC April 5-6, 2014 Pan Am Championships/World Championships camp and trials Los Angeles USA June 29-July 3, 2014 Junior track Pan Am Championship Mexico City MEX July/August 2014 TBD Pre-worlds training camp Los Angeles USA Aug. 8-12, 2014 Junior track worlds Seoul KOR Oct. 17-19, 2014 Milton International Challenge (UCI C1) Milton ON Oct. 22-25, 2014 Canadian Track Championships Milton ON Amended on May 20, 2014
6.0 Conclusion
The programs and systems are in place for Canada to become a top cycling nation by 2020. World-class performances are in our reach in all cycling programs. Track cycling in particular has come a long way in the last quadrennial and Cycling Canada aims to build on this foundation and recent success to bring it one step further.
The main focus in the next year will be on development programs to better support athletes looking to achieve their first success in international competitions. As we progress into the last two years of the quadrennial, support will slowly come back to targeting our elite athletes as we make our way to the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
The road program will continue to grow in 2014 and the goals will get higher and higher. This year, the major shift will be an increasing focus towards performance goals. We are looking forward to working in line with the track program and to eventually see the results of that towards the late stages of our U23 program.
Cycling Canada also wants to capitalize on the rise of road cycling within Canada by fielding competitive teams at the growing number of UCI sanctioned races held in this country. These races provide opportunities for Canadian riders to come together under the National Team jersey and compete together for valuable UCI points. Often, our athletes competing at the international level are working for their respective trade teams while our younger athletes are adapting to the highest level. We hope to give these athletes a chance to race more for themselves, while providing opportunity for our North American-based riders a chance to shine and gain the attention of trade teams and their directors. We hope to help graduate more of our excellent riders to the top international level.
The increasing alignment of our Track Endurance and Road programs will broaden the talent pools we are working directly with. This will help us both develop our targeted track athletes by giving them all important UCI-level road race days as well as provide important competition opportunities to road athletes that they may not have through their club or team. After this quadrennial leading up to Rio, our aim is to graduate candidates to more full-time road careers thus creating more depth in the Road pool of athletes.
We are open to any feedback and suggestions towards improving the Track and Road programs and the sport in Canada. If you have any ideas to put forth, please contact the program coordinator at [email protected] or [email protected] to voice these suggestions. We appreciate your thoughts on how to better our programs and hope to work in collaboration with our P/TSOs and other affiliated organizations to make cycling a gold medal sport in Canada!
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