January 2/24 14:01 pm - Jackson & Gee Voted Canadian Cyclists of 2023

Posted by Editoress on 01/2/24
 

Two first-time winners were awarded the Canadian Cyclist of the Year titles for 2023, the 27th edition of these awards. Alison Jackson was chosen as the top Female rider, while Derek Gee was selected as the top Male rider. Jackson also won the Best Individual Performance award for her victory at the classic one-day Paris-Roubaix race, the first ever victory - male or female - for a Canadian rider. We will announce the Para-cyclists of the Year on Wednesday.

While Jackson's incredible sprint win from a small breakaway at Paris-Roubaix back in April was one of the biggest road racing wins in Canadian history, it was only one result from an extremely strong season that the rider from Vermilion, Alberta, had in 2023. She began her season in February by finishing second in the Clasica de Almeria, followed by a fourth place at Trofeo Oro. In April she had her Paris-Roubaix WorldTour win, followed less than two weeks later by two podiums at the Pan American Continental Road Championships; second in the road race and third in the time trial. In June, Jackson became National Road Champion in Edmonton, in front of family and friends. She finished the season off at the Tour de Gatineau, finishing second in the road race and third in the time trial. Alison Jackson finishes the 2023 season ranking 31st in UCI world rankings. Jackson battled double Junior world champion Isabella Holmgren throughout the balloting, finishing with 60.9% of first place votes, with Holmgren receiving 29.8% of first place votes.

Alison Jackson told us, "To win Paris-Roubaix this year, and became Canada's first Cycling Monument winner, male or female, is a performance not just for me, but for everyone that were on the edge of their seats watching. I hope the rest of Canada holds a deeper belief of what it is possible to achieve, and I look forward to more great performances from lots of Canadians this year. I would love to do the repeat and will focus on the Classics in 2024, prepare for the Olympic Games, and as always, having so much fun doing it all!"

Alison Jackson wins Paris Roubaix Photo A.S.O. / Thomas Maheux

Jackson, who will begin her 2024 season at either the Volta a Mallorca or the UAE Tour, also won the Best Individual Performance award for her Paris-Roubaix victory, with 20% of first place votes, followed by Michael Woods for his Stage 9 win at the Tour de France with 13.3%, and Isabella Holmgren with 12.9%.

Derek Gee wins Combativity Award at Giro

Our men's winner, Derek Gee of Ottawa, became a household name in Canada in May, when he electrified the Giro d'Italia with his breakaway efforts. He finished second a remarkable four times in breakaways, as well as fourth twice, recording 1045 kilometres in breaks at the front of the race. He was 22nd overall and finished second overall in both the Points and Mountains classifications, and was selected as the Most Combative rider for the entire race, garnering 990 UCI ranking points in the process. Derek also successfully defended his national Time Trial title, and was tenth at both the Brussels Cycling Classic and the Chrono de Nations. He finished the season 67th in the UCI world ranking. For most of the vote, Gee was in a three-way battle with defending champion Dylan Bibic and Tour de France stage winner Michael Woods in the end, Gee took 38.6% of the first place votes, followed by Bibic with 28.6% and Woods with 22.6%.

Gee, who just became engaged to long-time partner (and fellow national team member) Ruby West, is on his way to Australia to begin his 2024 season at the Tour Down Under. He sent us a brief note, "Thanks to everyone for the massive support this year, I'm really happy looking back on my 2023 season and hoping to build on it this year in 2024!"