October 28/25 13:32 pm - Six Inducted Into Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame

Posted by Editor on 10/28/25
 

Six new members will be inducted into the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame next month. The 2025 ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 27th, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, at Global Relay's head office in Vancouver's Gastown district, celebrating the outstanding achievements and lifelong contributions of three athletes and three builders who have shaped Canadian cycling. This year the following inductees will join the Hall: Svein Tuft (athlete), Catharine Pendrel (athlete), Sara Neil (athlete), Kevin Cunningham (builder), Mark Cunningham (builder), and Roger Sumner (builder).

Established in 2015, the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame honours exceptional accomplishments and contributions to cycling from both athletes and sport builders. This latest induction brings the total number of honourees to 47, comprising 34 athletes and 13 builders.

For more information on how to purchase tickets and/or tables for the Canadian Cycling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, to be hosted November 27th in Vancouver, click here.

2025 Inductees

Catharine Pendrel (Athlete)
Catharine Pendrel is an Olympic medalist and two-time World Champion (2011, 2014) in mountain biking, whose career has shaped the trajectory of women's cycling in Canada. Known for her consistency and competitive spirit, Pendrel earned bronze at the 2016 Olympic Games, with other strong performances in 2008 (4th place), 2012 (9th place), and 2020 (18th place). Catharine also was the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2007 Pan American Games champion.

Over her career, she won 41 international races, including 12 World Cup victories and 27 World Cup podiums. She consistently ranked among the top riders in the world, finishing in the top three of the overall World Cup standings nearly every year from 2008 to 2016, including winning three overall World Cup titles (2010, 2012, 2016). Pendrel's legacy includes countless podium finishes and has been a powerful influence on the next generation of riders. She hascontinued to develop the next generations of Canadian mountain bike athletes since her retirement from competition, and now holds the position of National Team Coach, MTB XCO Lead at Cycling Canada.

Sara Neil (Athlete)
Sara Neil is a trailblazer in Canadian cycling, having represented Canada in the women's individual road race at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul (39th). Her participation came at a time when women's cycling was still gaining recognition on the world stage, making her role especially significant. Neil earned a bronze medal at the 1987 Pan American Games, establishing her as a force in international competition. Beyond her athletic achievements, she contributed to the growth of the sport through advocacy and mentorship, helping to shape opportunities for future cyclists in Canada. Her legacy continues to influence the cycling community today.

Svein Tuft (Athlete)
One of Canada's most accomplished road cyclists, Svein Tuft built a career defined by grit, endurance, and excellence. Svein's professional career spanned nearly two decades, from 2001 to 2019. He became one of Canada's most decorated cyclists, winning the national time trial title an astounding 11 times and the road race title twice. He represented Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games (7th) and multiple World Championships, earning a silver medal in the individual time trial in 2008. He captured gold in the time trial at the Pan American Championships in Uruguay that same year. Tuft won two silver (2012, 2014) and two bronze medals (2012, 2016) in the Team Time Trial at the world championships.

His breakthrough on the international stage began with the 2000 Tour de l'Avenir in France, and he continued to impress throughout his twenty-year career, having led his teams to stage victories in the team time trial at both the Tour de France (2013) and the Giro d'Italia (2014), where he famously wore the pink leader's jersey. Tuft was the winner of the 2006–07 UCI America Tour, and the 2008 Tour de Beauce.

Kevin & Mark Cunningham (Builders)
Together, Kevin and Mark Cunningham transformed the landscape of Canadian professional cycling through their leadership of Symmetrics Cycling pro team, based in Langley, B.C. Kevin's entrepreneurial spirit and deep-rooted passion for the sport revitalized careers, launched emerging talent, and brought national and international recognition to Canadian riders, including names such as Svein Tuft, Hugo Houle, Christian Meier, Eric Wohlberg, Ryan Anderson and Zach Bell - many of whom went on to ride on the world stage with European pro teams.

Mark, drawing on his success in the tech world, infused the team with strategic vision, operational precision, and a data-driven approach that elevated performance standards. United by their love of cycling, the Cunningham brothers fostered a close-knit, competitive environment that redefined what a Canadian team could achieve and set a new benchmark for team-based development. Ultimately, they leave an important legacy on the racing scene in Canada.

Roger Sumner (Builder)
Roger Sumner was a foundational figure in Canadian cycling, known for his dual impact as both a high-performance athlete and a visionary coach. As a competitor, he represented Canada on a variety of national and international stages, including the world championships in Montreal (1974).

It was his work off the bike, however, that left an enduring mark. As one of the few elite level riders in BC during the 1970s, Sumner quickly became a valuable resource for developing cyclists. By the 1980s, local racers began dominating the Canadian cycling scene. As a coach, manager, riders' rep or mentor, Sumner helped Brian Walton, Sara Neil, Leah Goldstein, Marni Pratzsky and many others achieve national and international success. In 1975 Sumner organized the first Gastown Grand Prix, which quickly became one of Canada's premier cycling events. His commitment to athlete development, technical excellence, and the growth of cycling in British Columbia made him a respected leader and left a lasting influence in the sport's evolution across the country.