January 23/17 17:46 pm - Registration Opens for Bear Mountain Canada Cup & MTB Festival

Posted by Editor on 01/23/17
 

Bear Mountain Resort is pleased to announce the launch of its new Bear Mountain Bike Festival presented by McDonalds on March 4-5, which will offer exciting cycling events for enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. In a partnership with the McDonalds Franchise Owners of Victoria, BC, the festival will include elite level XC and Enduro racing, challenge events for enthusiasts, and dedicated activities for kids. There will also be a bike expo that will showcase the top mountain bike brands in the industry.

The highlight event of the festival will be the UCI Bear Mountain Canada Cup MTB Race powered by Powerade on March 4th, featuring Canada's finest athletes including Olympic bronze medallist, Catharine Pendrel.

As the defending Bear Mountain Canada Cup event champion, Pendrel is eager to get the racing started: "I'm really looking forward to getting back to the trails and Canada Cup at Bear Mountain. Last year they put on a superb event that helped the entire national team kick start their seasons. 2017 promises to be just as good."

Other women expected to attend include Emily Batty who was runner up to Pendrel at Bear Mountain last year. Batty finished a strong 2016 racing season which included a bronze medal at a World Championships and fourth place at the Rio Olympics. Another is defending overall Canada Cup champion, Haley Smith, who showed consistency throughout last year and solidified her title with a convincing win at the Canada Cup Finale in Whistler.

Seven-time National Champion and Olympian, Geoff Kabush, is looking forward to racing in the men's event after missing out at last year's race. "After being sidelined with injury last year I'm really looking forward to finally racing at Bear Mountain," said Geoff. "I spent years living and training in Victoria and it was always a dream to have an International calibre race so close to home. With the National MTB Team based and training at Bear Mountain it's a fantastic opportunity and way to start the season for all the riders."

Other favourites for the men's race include last year's Bear Mountain winner and Olympian, Raphael Gagne; reigning National Champion, Derek Zandstra; and Canada Cup Overall defending champion, Andrew L'Esperance.

The 2017 race course built by the Victoria Nature Trail Society is expected to be longer and more technical. "At six kilometres long and 141 meters of elevation gain per lap, the course will be more of a challenge this year," said Bear Mountain Cycling Manager Jon Watkin. "It will also have more single-track but with lots of descending and passing opportunities as well. We want to showcase as much of our trail system as possible so that racers are given lots of variety."

The new course has Canadian National Team Head Coach Dan Proulx particularly excited. "The Canada Cup at Bear Mountain is going to be awesome! The venue is spectacular and the organization is superb. The course is fast and flowy with just the right amount of technical. It's a race course designed by racers for racers! For many of our athletes, this is the highlight of their early season race program. Great weather and great atmosphere too!"

On Sunday, March 5th, Bear Mountain will invite families, youth, and local enthusiasts to have their own Bear Mountain cycling experience. Youth will be invited to the Trek Tykes Bike Ride with Champions, a free event in partnership with the South Island Mountain Bike Society that offers guided rides by age group with special appearances by some of Canada's champions. Food, beverages, and lots of cool prizes will be on hand. Mountain Bike enthusiasts will have the opportunity to test-ride the newest bicycle models from Rocky Mountain, Trek, Norco and more at the Bear Mountain Bike Expo and will have the chance to experience the Canada Cup race circuit. The Rocky Mountain Bicycles Enduro race and Corporate Relay Cycling Challenge will cap off Sunday's events by offering something for the trail enthusiast and weekend warrior.

Event Itinerary:

Saturday, March 4th
• Canada Cup MTB p/b Powerade (UCI C1 MTB)
• Bike Expo
• Beer Garden
• Food Concession

Sunday, March 5th
• Trek Tykes Bike Ride with Champions
• Rocky Mountain Enduro
• Corporate Cycling Challenge
• Bike Expo
• Beer Garden
• Food Concession

Event registration is now live for all events:

Bear Mountain Canada Cup p/b Powerade

Trek Tykes Bike Ride (Free Entry!)

Rocky Mountain Enduro

Corporate Cycling Challenge

For more information and downloads:

Visit the Cycling Canada Website

Visit the Bear Mountain Bike Festival Website

Download Bear Mountain Canada Cup Technical Guide>

About the trails at Bear Mountain:
The Bear Mountain Bike Park, home to the Canadian National Mountain Bike Team, consists of over 10 kilometres of west coast inspired single track and flow trails. Built over the past two years in collaboration with the Nature Trail Society, the park is open to all ages and abilities. Bear Mountain also houses the Hub Cycling Center, which is a full service bike shop that provides sales, service, and rentals to resort guests and residents.