January 11/12 15:18 pm - CCA Announces Small Team for Cross Worlds

Posted by Editor on 01/11/12
 

The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) is pleased to announce the four cyclists who will be representing Canada at the 2012 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships, held January 28-29, in Koksijde, Belgium.

Canada’s team at the 2012 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships has two riders with previous experience at World Championships. Both Craig Richey of Smithers, BC and Yohan Patry of St-Jérome, Québec, participated at the 2011 UCI World Championships held in St-Wendel, Germany. Richey finished 46th in the men’s Elite race, while Patry finished 21st in the men’s Junior race.

Richey is looking forward to the challenges the course on the west coast of Belgium will provide: “The Koksijde course can be summed up in one word : sand. Koksijde is like nothing we have in North America with deep sand rut riding, lots of running, and at least six dismounts a lap.”

In the men’s U23 race, Félix Bouvette of Chateauguay, QC will be attending his first World Championships. Bouvette along with Richey and Patry will be competing in the final two World Cup rounds to prepare for the event.

In the men’s Junior race, Canada will have two riders expected to take the start: Yohan Patry will be joined by Samuel Beaudoin of Edmonton. Beaudoin, who was fourth at Canadian Cyclo-cross Championships, will be competing in his first World Championships.

“My experience from last year helped me a lot in my preparations for this year, I know exactly what I need to do in order to be ready for these Worlds,” said Yohan Patry. “I'm feeling really strong now, both technically and physically and I don’t think that the level I have now would have been possible to reach without the experience I acquired last year.”

Czech rider Zdenek Stybar is the outgoing World Champion in the Elite Men’s race, while Marianne Vos of the Netherlands will be defending her title in the Women’s elite race.

Belgium has a strong cyclo-cross program, currently with seven riders in the Top 10 of the 2012 UCI World rankings. Canada’s top ranked rider in the World is Geoff Kabush in 63rd place. Kabush will not participate at the world championships in Belgium.

Elite Men
Craig Richey (Smithers, BC)

U23 Men
Félix Bouvette (Chateauguay, QC)

Junior Men
Samuel Beaudoin (Edmonton, AB)
Yohan Patry (St-Jérome, QC)

Support Staff
Matthew Knight (Ottawa, ON) - Team Manager

Please make a donation to help support the team and alleviate some of the financial burden on the athletes. Donations forms are available or e-mail Matthew Knight at matthew.knight@canadian-cycling.com for more information. Tax receipts are issued for Donations of $25 or more. All proceeds go directly towards covering the athletes' expenses.