October 4/03 9:24 am - Canadian Cycling Legends at the Worlds

Posted by Editor on 10/4/03
 

Canadian Cycling Legends at the Worlds

We are pleased to announce that the Opening Ceremonies on Sunday evening will include a tribute and recognition to some of the legends of Canadian cycling. We approached the Worlds organization a few months ago with the proposal to honour some of the incredible cyclists of the past 5 decades, riders who are, in many cases, unknown outside of the older cycling community. Unfortunately, there is a generation of cyclists who have no concept that riders before them paved the way for Canada's current success in cycling. We went to the Worlds organization with the idea, and they were kind enough to support it, and incorporate it into the Opening Ceremonies.

Canada has a lot of respect in the world of cycling, and it is in large part because of the these Legends of Canadian Cycling. Many are still involved in the sport, in coaching, motivation, television, etc. If I had to single out two individuals, it would be Jocelyn Lovell and Karen Strong. Jocelyn is a giant of Canadian cycling. He is the guy who inspired riders such as Steve Bauer, Ron Hayman and Gord Singleton. Karen Strong is similarly important for Canadian women's cycling. I remember racing against Karen when I was a junior, back in the mid-70s. She had to race against the Junior men because there were no other women! Then Sylvia Burka came along, and the two of them carved up North American women's fields. Karen went on to become the national women's coach - a revolutionary idea to have a woman as a coach of women. Among her proteges was Alison Sydor....

With the assistance of Steve Bauer we put together a preliminary list, pared it down to 20 names, and began to track people down. Our list is by no means exhaustive - there are many other key riders left off it (and we didn't even attempt to include the many non-athletes who have contribute to the success of our sport).

We hope that, if you have an opportunity, you will come to Opening Ceremonies tomorrow evening (7:00 pm, Copps Coliseum in downtown Hamilton) and participate in our acknowledgement of these individuals.

Canadian Cycling Legends

Ron Hayman - One of first Canadian men to race professionally, paving the way for future riders. A member of the 1972/76 Olympics teams, a 4-time stage winner at the Coors Classic (for many years, the largest stage race in North America), the top amateur of the year in Belgium (1979), Tour of Ireland winner, represented Canada at 9 world championships. 7-time national champion on the road and on the track.


Brian Walton - Silver medal-1996 Olympics, 3 Pan American Games gold medals and 1 bronze, Commonwealth Games bronze medal, overall winner of the Milk Race in Great Britain in 1989, many international victories and placings. Currently Coach and Director of Team Snow Valley.


Cindy Devine - Downhill World Champion-1990 (first ever Mountain Bike World Champion from Canada), finished top-5 in the first 5 Mountain Bike World Championships.


Alex Stieda - first North American to wear the Tour de France Yellow Jersey. Commonwealth Games bronze medal. 1984 Olympian. Continues to remain involved with cycling as a BMX coach, writer and television commentator.


Linda Jackson - Commonwealth Games 2 silver medals, World Championships bronze and 5 top-10 finishes, HP International stage race winner, member of the 1996 Olympic team (9th time trial), 6 time national champion. Left a 6-figure career as an investment banker to pursue cycling full time. A commentator for CBC here in Hamilton.


Eric Wohlberg - 8 consecutive national titles, Commonwealth Gold and Bronze (Kuala Lumpur), Pan Am gold, many international wins and placings, 2-time Olympian. A member of the Canadian team in Hamilton.


Lori-Ann Muenzer - 2 silver and 1 bronze medal at Track World Championships, Commonwealth silver and bronze (Manchester), 2000 Olympic team, multiple World Cup victories and placings.


Steve Bauer - Olympic silver, World Championships bronze, Commonwealth Games silver, 2nd Paris-Roubaix, a total of 15 days in the Tour de France Yellow Jersey, multiple World Cup and international wins. Ranked as high as fifth in the world among professionals; the highest ranking ever by a Canadian.


Curt Harnett - 1 silver and 2 bronze Olympic medals (4 time Olympian), 2 world championship silver medals, 2 Commonwealth Games silver medals, Pan Am Games gold and bronze medals. 1996 World Cup champion. 200m world record (a record he still holds). A commentator for CBC here in Hamilton.


Tanya Dubnicoff - 1993 World Champion, and 1 silver and 2 bronze world championship medals. World Cup series winner, 4-time Pan Am Games Champion, multiple World Cup wins and Commonwealth Games 200m record. 2-time Olympian and 16 national titles. A commentator for CBC here in Hamilton.


Geneviève Jeanson - double World Champion as a Junior, multiple World Cup victories since then. A member of the 2000 Olympic team, and a member of the Canadian team in Hamilton.


Sylvia Burka - Began cycling in 1975 as training for Speedskating due to an injury. Competed in 3 World Championships, placing 4th in 1977 in 3000m pursuit. Won 12 National Titles in Road & Track Events. Set a World Record in 1000m. in 1982. Stage Winner at the Coors International Bike Classic in 1980. As a speedskater, National Champion from 1970 to 1980, World Jr. Champion in 1975, Ladies World Champion in 1976, World Sprint Champion in 1977. Broke 2 World Records in 1973 & 1976. Competed in 1972, 1976 & 1980 Winter Olympics. Named Skater of the Year in Canada 7 times, Manitoba Female Athlete of the Year 5 times, Canadian Sportswoman of the Year in 1977, and Manitoba's Female Athlete of the Century in 2000. Inducted in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1977.


Gord Singleton - 3 world records, Pan Am gold medals (2), World Champion (1982 - first Canadian ever to win a world title in cycling) and 3 World Championship silver medals. Commonwealth Games gold and bronze medals. Member of the Order of Canada.


Jocelyn Lovell - 3-time Olympian, silver medal World Championships, 4 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze Commonwealth Games medals and 2 Pan Am Games gold medals. 36 national titles on road and track. A giant of Canadian cycling, who paved the way for Canadian cyclists of the last 5 decades.


Athletes who are unable to attend are:

Alison Sydor
Clara Hughes
Karen Strong
Pierre Harvey
Roland Green
Kelly Anne Way