May 6/15 11:23 am - Ontario Youth Cup Begins May 16

Posted by Editoress on 05/6/15
 

The Ontario Cycling Association, along with the Morning Glory Cycling Club, are getting ready for the first Road Youth Cup of the season on May 16th. The event will be taking place on a fully closed course, at the Honda head office in Markham, which will play host to the second annual event, and is sure to be a great kick off to the 2015 season.

The Youth Cup series will consist of six individual events, including some of the longest standing venues such as the Tour de Speed and the Barrie Youth Cup. The season will wrap up in London Ontario in September with the Series Finale.

The kick-off weekend is jam packed. The morning of the 16th will see future champions race in an ITT and Road Race , and in the afternoon the road will open up for the adults with an Sport and Open Criterium Race.

The following day will see the return of the Niagara Classic, one of Ontario's longest standing Road O-Cup events. The iconic Effingham Hill will once again test the best climbers in Ontario. New for 2015; the course will now have a completely closed section for the back side leading right up to the top of Effingham.

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As a reminder for youth riders: gear restrictions will be in affect for 2015. All athletes racing in the U17, U15, U13 and U11 categories will be rolled out at Cycling Canada's distance for U17 riders, of 7.12 meters. Parents are encouraged to buy a Junior cassette (typically starting with a 14t sprocket), locking out the lower gears which will allow them to pass roll out.

The OCA is going to have a mechanic on site to help out those athletes who have issues with their gearing at the first event. Gear ratios that work for 700c wheels include (distance is approximate and actual rollout will depend on tire size):

50 x 15 = approx. 7.0m
52 x 16 = approx. 6.8m
53 x 16 = approx. 7.0m

U17 athletes racing up at the Ontario Cup Junior level will be permitted to use Junior gearing (7.93m or 52 x 14) however U19 athletes upgraded to the Ontario Cup Elite level will still be required to use Junior gears. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Provincial Endurance Development Coach Sean Kelly at sean.kelly@ontariocycling.org.