For the first time since 2011, the Canadian Mountain Bike National Championships are coming to Canmore.
Cycling Canada announced The Canmore Nordic Centre will host the 2017 and 2018 Canadian National Championships, attracting the likes of Catherine Pendrel and Emily Baty to the Bow Valley, while offering local riders the chance to measure themselves against the best in the nation. This is also the first time Mountain Bike Nationals have been held in Western Canada since 2011.
“Every rider from the Canada Cup circuit and every Canadian on the World Cup circuit will be here,” said event organizer Ron Sadesky. “To have a high calibre race in Canmore, it’s time.”
The last time Nationals came to Canmore, Sara Poidevin and Liah Harvie were the lone U17 riders from the Bow Valley. Both have moved on to big things on the North American road riding circuit, but Sadesky said there is now a wealth of young, local riders ready to challenge at the national level.
He credits Matt Hadley’s work with the Rundle Mountain Cycling Club’s rampage team for transforming so many teenagers into top-level riders. He believes it’s important for those teenage riders to race against the top athletes from other strong provinces.
“This time around there are so many kids who are ready,” Sadesky said. “It’s important for them to get out of their little bubble in Alberta so they can learn a few things about the calibre of riding out there. It will be exciting to see who will be out there.”
There are plans to make minor adaptations to many of the courses, Sadesky said, including new switchbacks just outside of the stadium, and a better B-line into the eyedropper feature.
“We will change the course to four kilometres per lap. That’s more in vein of the World Cup courses and Canada Cup Courses. We want to show the Canmore flavor to the trails, and put in features like eye dropper and organ donor,” Sadesky said. “We wan to avoid downhills on double track, create some berms and have some fast, flowy stuff.”
Canmore Nordic Centre manager Michael Roycroft said the venue is thrilled to have Nationals return, and said there will be some ‘route tweaking’ to accomodate the races. Orange flags have already been put in place for proposed trail work outside of the stadium.
The 2017 race will take place on July 22-23rd, while a date has yet to be set for the 2018 race. Those interested in volunteering for the event can contact Sadesky at [email protected].
