Expert men mountain bikers charge away from the start line at the Canmore MTB Classic at the Canmore Nordic Centre. PHOTO: CALGARY JOURNAL STAFF Posted inSports
Canmore mountain bike competition preps new generation of racers for World Cup
Riders from across North America put the pedal down at the Canmore Nordic Centre’s stadium during the recent Canmore MTB Classic.
The event was the Canadian stop on the inaugural Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Continental Series XCO, also known as the cross-country Olympics, which features mountain biking races on dirt-based circuits.
The Canada Cup series aims to provide competitive opportunities for the next generation of cyclists, transitioning from provincial race series to national and international competitions.
The Continental Series–a new UCI initiative–provides a chance for riders to transition to World Cup competition. The event was a partnership between Cycling Canada, the Alberta Bicycle Association, and the Alberta National Mountain Bike Race Association.
Maxime St-Onge, who trains with Pivot Cycle OTE based in St-Denis-de-Brompton, Quebec, placed second in the U23 (Male) race at the Canmore MTB Classic hosted at the Nordic Centre. PHOTO: CALGARY JOURNAL STAFF
Liam Clark, of Tempe, Arizona, plunges through “Get Down” at Canmore’s MTB Classic at the Nordic Centre. PHOTO: CALGARY JOURNAL STAFF
Littleton, Colorado’s Kira Mullins, who trains with Bear National Team, gets some airtime on “Organ Donor” during Canmore’s MTB Classic at the Nordic Centre. PHOTO: CALGARY JOURNAL STAFF
Aaron Sproule, a member of Team Booger from Medical Lake, Washington, competes in Canmore’s MTB Classic at the Nordic Centre. PHOTO: CALGARY JOURNAL STAFF
Emma Wilxox, who trains with California-based Gravity Academy, coasts over a jump on “Organ Donor” during Canmore’s MTB Classic at the Nordic Centre. PHOTO: CALGARY JOURNAL STAFF
Avery Roberts, with Dononvan Racing in Fayetteville, North Carolina, clears the jump on “Organ Donor” during Canmore’s MTB Classic at the Nordic Centre. PHOTO: CALGARY JOURNAL STAFF
Robbie Day, who races with the Bear National Team based in Evergreen, Colorado, placed third in the XCO Continental Series Elite (Male) race during Canmore’s MTB Classic hosted at the Nordic Centre. PHOTO: CALGARY JOURNAL STAFF
Antoine Desjardins, of Gatineau, Quebec, rounds a corner during the XCO Junior Male and U17 Expert race at the Canmore MTB Classic. PHOTO: CALGARY JOURNAL STAFF
Aiden Brown, of Eagle, Colorado, competes in the U23 (Male) race at the Canmore MTB Classic hosted at the Nordic Centre. PHOTO: CALGARY JOURNAL STAFF
