February 3/14 11:52 am - Cycling Canada Releases Commonwealth Games Selection Criteria

Posted by Editor on 02/3/14
 

This year, the 20th edition of the Commonwealth Games will be held in Glasgow, Scotland. Although the Commonwealth Games have lost some stature, since they are not part of the Olympic program (ie, results do not count towards Olympic nation ranking), they are still one of the largest multi-sport events in the world, and cycling is one of the premier events.

Cycling Canada has now released its selection criteria for the national team that will attend the Games. Commonwealth Games Canada has stated that it will fund 12 cyclists, and Cycling Canada has opted to fund three more, for a total of up to 15 athletes. The size of the final team will be determined by the selection committee, based on competitiveness in each discipline. The final team will be announced by the Commonwealth Games deadline of June 4th.

The schedule of events is:

Track (July 24-27)
Mountain Bike (July 29th)
Road Time Trial (July 31st)
Road Race (August 3rd)

The full criteria document can be downloaded below, but here are the highlights, by discipline.

Track

Unlike the Olympics or world championships, the Commonwealth Games does not have equal events for men and women. The women do not have a Team Pursuit, which is a blow for Canada due to our strength in the discipline.  Canada will be looking to enter riders in the following events, if the selection criteria are met:

Women
Individual Pursuit (up to 3 riders)
Points Race (up to 3 riders)
Scratch Race (up to 3 riders)
500m Time Trial (up to 2 riders)
Sprint (up to 2 riders)

Men
Team Pursuit (4 riders)
Individual Pursuit (up to 3 riders)
Points Race (up to 3 riders)
Scratch Race (up to 3 riders)
Team Sprint (3 riders)
Sprint (up to 3 riders)
Keirin (up to 3 riders)
1000m Time Trial (up to 3 riders)


Road

Women
Individual Time Trial (up to 3 riders)
Road Race (up to 6 riders)

Men
Individual Time Trial (up to 3 riders)
Road Race (up to 6 riders)


Mountain Bike

Canada will be allowed to enter two riders each in the men's and women's Cross-country. It should be noted that Canada has won three out of four gold medals in this event since it was first offered in 2002 (Men and Women in Manchester, Women in Melbourne, it was not held in Delhi).

Download the full selection criteria Here.