Strong results for Juventus at Stampede Road Race!

The Stampede Road Race is a staple on the Alberta racing calendar. This year provincial road race honours were also on the line.

Early Sunday morning, 20 Juventus members across the spectrum of age, and ability categories caravanned their way to Dogpound, Alberta for the 2016 Provincial Road Race Championships. 

Tracy and his team in Dogpound, Alberta for the Provincial Championships.

Racers confronted a multitude of tough hills, rain, and right hand turns . . . (which president Gail Wozny says she has had "quite enough of for the season - thank you very much!"). The prairie course and weather did prove to be challenging.

Gail, Lorne, and Sherman - ready to go!

Congratulations to all of our Juventus competitors, including these podium finishers:

• Jack Almond - 2nd Master E Men

• Gail Wozny - 2nd Master C Women

• Mike Verveda - 3rd Junior Men

• Sidney McGill - 1st Junior Women

• Marin Cislo - 1st Cat 3/4/5 Women

A special thanks to coach Tracy for getting our youth both to and from Dogpound, well prepared and safe - and extra kudos for jumping in and racing so well!

Abbey McGill races Rimouski!

Rimouski, Quebec is a beautiful, small city on the St. Lawrence River located about a 5 hour drive north east of Montreal. The surrounding sharp hills, little villages, and country roads provides the perfect setting for The Tour de la Releve International de Rimouski.

The Rimouski Stage race presents five stages over five days in a small scale Tour de France format. It is an important component on the North American race calendar for Juniors (U19) and Cadets (U17), and allows them to gain quality international experience.

Many teams opt for dorm accommodation at the University of Quebec and enjoy the fun of a campus experience along with fellow riders. 

Abbey McGill racing with Centurion Next Wave Cycling - Rimouski QB

Juventus rider Abbey McGill is a second year cadet and jumped at the opportunity to join a composite team competing in the Junior Women's category.

Fellow teammates Megan Heath, Ruby West, and Dana Gilligan raced the team time trial (TTT), 78 km road race, 15 km individual time trial (ITT),  35 km criterium, and infamous Cathedral hill 4 lap circuit race to complete the 5 stages. 

On target to win the Team Time Trial

The Centurion Next Wave Cycle Team that Abbey raced with had impressive results - winning the TTT, securing podium and top ten finishes in the remaining stages, as well as winning the overall Team GC.

Centurion Next Wave Cycle team Megan Heath, Abbey McGill, Dana Gilligan, Ruby West with Team GC win!

To race with a dense field of junior women on such demanding and challenging routes is a huge opportunity. Congratulations to Abbey McGill, and the team of Centurion Next Wave Cycle for racing so well in the Tour de Releve International de Rimouski!

Kinley Gibson takes Elite Women's National Criterium title!

Kinley Gibson has taken her 2009/10 LAMP skills to new heights by winning the national title for the elite women's criterium challenge - the final event at 2016 Road Nationals. Kinley is a Juventus member currently riding for Trek Red Truck women's development pro racing team. 

2016 Canadian National Criterium podium with Justine Clift, Kinley Gibson, Ellen Watters

Trek Red Truck teammates Denise Ramsden, Kinley Gibson, Suzanne Hamilton, Gillian Ellsay, Sara Bergen

 

Held in the charming town of Aylmer, Quebec, the race proved to be one of attrition as the pace was fast and relentless. A steady series of Trek Red Truck team attacks launched Kinley into a solid break of two riders 25 minutes into the race.

Both Kinley and Cyclery Opus rider Justine Clift worked on the front for the remainder of the 60 minute race readying themselves for the 3 lap countdown. Meanwhile, Kinley's and Justine's teammates kept the pack at bay.

The final sprint was decisive, with Kinley the new national champion.

Off the front - Kinley Gibson and Justine Clift

Kinley also competed in the ITT (26 km) held in Gatineau Park, and the road race (110 km) which was held in Ottawa. She had U23 podiums in both races and was also a top ten finisher among the elites.

Elite/U23 Women's ITT - Kinley Gibson

Aero on the downhill

Elite/u23 Women's road race - Kinley Gibson on the 10 km circuit

Congratulations on great racing Kinley!

Ross Wilson named to 2016 Rio Paralympic Team!

Ross Wilson may refer to himself as a middle aged man doing the best he can, but don't let his humble demeanour fool you.

Ross is an extremely dedicated and strong cyclist who has been working for the past three years towards his goal of making the Canadian Para Team to Rio for the 2016 Paralympics. 

Ross Wilson ITT

Ross has an engine that starts and just keeps building power. You may have seen him racing on the track - he does love pushing the pace - or out on group rides, but that is only a small component of Ross's training. Coach Cam Jennings tracks and adjusts gym sessions, interval training, watt bike work, long rides, and more - usually work Ross must do on his own. Ross's consistent commitment to his goals helps ensure his success. 

Ross Wilson racing the ITT at 2016 Para Road Nationals.

Ross will be racing on the track in Rio as well as the road. He specializes in the Individual Pursuit (IP) on the track, and has raced the 3 km distance very close to world record time. The talent he exhibits in the IP transfers to the Individual Time Trial (ITT) on the road, and Ross will do both the road race and ITT in Rio.

The 2016 Paralympic Games will be held September 7 - 14th. Get ready for a superb performance from Canadian Team, and Juventus member Ross Wilson!

Juniors race for Team Alberta at Road Nationals!

Juventus juniors Michael Verveda, Devaney Collier, and Abbey McGill had more than final exams to prepare for in June. All were selected for Alberta's team to Junior Road Nationals, and raced the road race, individual time trial (ITT), and criterium.

The race was staged in Ottawa, and made use of beautiful (hilly) Gatineau Park, QB for the ITT, and the quaint town of Aylmer, QB for the crit. Weather was typical for the area: hot and humid. 

Team Alberta goes over the race plan with coach Tanya Dubnicoff.

Michael Verveda focussed and ready for the Junior Men's road race.

The road race course was a 10 km flat circuit that offered a kermess feel. The junior men raced 120 km (86 starters), while the junior women completed 8 laps for 80 km (27 starters).

All three Juventus raced well: Michael was active both on the front, and back to the follow car for supplies, and was 12th in the sprint finish; Devaney rode with the group, made the break in the last lap, and sprinted to 2nd (podium!); Abbey had the tough job of working on her own after falling off the back mid race - giving it her all to avoid being lapped.

Devaney and Abbey stay cool before the road race.

Podium success for Team Alberta and Devaney Collier!

The Junior Men's sprint finish with Michael oh so close!

Team Alberta rested for 2 days and readied for the ITT. The course was up, up, up and then down, down, down - 26 km for the junior men, and 16 km for the junior women. Although neither are the biggest climbing fans, both Devaney and Abbey had great rides against the field of 23 with Devaney in 6th, and Abbey in 13th. Michael was well prepared and gave it his all against the 74 starters in junior men. He finished in 34th.

Checking TT bike against the jig.

Aero and a fast descent.

The picturesque main street of Aylmer, Quebec was an ideal setting for the start/finish of the national criterium challenge.  The course featured a technical back stretch with a long incline to the finish on the front. The junior men raced for 45 minutes + 3 laps, and the junior women 30 minutes + 3 laps.

Abbey working hard in the crit.

The junior women's race came down to a sprint finish for 3rd - 14th, and Devaney managed 4th, narrowly missing the podium. Abbey finished in 12th.

A dense Junior men's field.

The junior men's race was fast and the attrition was quick - either with lapping out or crashing out. Out of 78 starters, 26 would finish.  Michael was not able to finish - but the goods news is that he remains unscathed and all the wiser.

Congratulations to these three Juventus Juniors for representing our club and province so well!

 

Sidney McGill solid at first Jr. World Championships!

Juventus first year junior Sidney McGill spent the latter part of June and a bit of early July in Nova na Morave, Czech Republic, to race for Canada, at the Junior World Cross Country Mountain Bike World Championships. 

Sidney snagged a front row position at the start line, and put together a strong, and sustained effort throughout the extremely technical course.  The sizeable crowd was loud, and appreciative of rider skill - which kept energy levels topped up! Sidney finished as the top Jr. Canadian woman in 21st place.

It is fantastic to gain experience on the world stage - especially as a first year junior. Congratulations on a great race Sidney!

 

 

Juventus checks out the Highlandia Criterium!

The Highlands Community of Edmonton is a historical neighbourhood located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. This year a bit of spice was added to the annual Highlandia Music Festival and Market - with racing of the first Highlandia Criterium!

The Highlandia Crit is bound to become a favourite. It is a fast course, and the roads keep you on your toes. The festival atmosphere invigorates the peloton, and if you manage a break on the front, the cheering is wild. 

A variety of Juventus officials, riders, spectators, and volunteers enjoyed a beautiful afternoon and evening at the Highlandia Crit on Saturday. A few uninvited mosquitoes were also seen and disposed of.

Race Director Shaun Adamson and Bill impressed with the racing.

Abbey off the front and working out the win.

The boys  . . .  also lethal at TL! Mat will take this one in the end.

Strong Juventus finish.

A little strategy with Tracy before the CAT 3 race.

Meredith goes over Highlandia Crit rules.

Juventus will be in control for the race.

The corners are fast and fun.

There are still another 30 minutes of hard effort before the count down laps.

Kinley doing her share on the front.

Michael takes the win with a great solo effort.

Dan recounts his flat off the start . . . and the quick change that got him back in the race second lap.

LAMP Director's Father's Day fun!

Juventus LAMP director Bill Burtnik, is quite the fellow. On Saturday he insured LAMP youth were ready to put in a solid race at the Highlandia Criterium - a great little race in the Highlands Community of Edmonton. A few minutes later he put in his own effort on the course with the CAT 3 men. He also has friends in literally the right places. Next door to the crit, he joined in with friends for a little neighbourhood BBQ party. 

But that was only the weekend prologue . . .

Bill had ideas for Father's Day . . . Sunday morning Bill was up at 5 am to collect his youthful team, and head to Calgary for the School's Out Track Meet at the Glenmore Velodrome.  Juventus showed up on time and ready to race. Skills learned at Track League! and in LAMP, and some solid advice from Bill, proved a winning combination for the boys! The long daylight hours were put to excellent use in a very successful and full day. Well done!

Juventus at Bears Barrage

This past Tuesday saw the Devon Bicycle Association hosting their annual Bears Barrage.  This year it featured the Trailblazers Series Race #5 and the Alberta Summer Games qualifier for Zone 5.   

Juventus riders made numerous podium appearances over the course of the evening.  Congratulations to all of the Sprockids, Cranx, and LAMP riders who made the journey to Devon for some excellent racing.

Photos can be found here: Bears Barrage 2016

Press release for our little indoor project - The Indoor Velodrome!!!

Take a second and click to see the best news for smooooth, safe, exciting cycling in Edmonton!

Sidney McGill selected for Junior XCO MTN World Championships!

The Cross Country Mountain Bike World Championships will be held June 29th - July 3rd in Nove Mesto na Morave in Czech Republic.  

 

There will be competition for Elite, U23, and Junior, men's and women's categories. In total, 28 Canadian athletes have been selected for the team.

Sidney McGill is a first year junior and this will be her first experience racing at a Junior World Championship.

 

Sidney is one of four junior women selected to represent Canada. She will join Emily Handford of BC, Erica Leonard of Ontario, and Sophieanne Samson of Quebec to form Canada's Junior Women's team.

 

Congratulations and good luck!

Saturday - Master's club ride a staple.

Juventus masters perk up each Saturday morning - just before 9. It is the espresso at the Good Earth Cafe on Ellerslie Road that takes care of this transformation.

Recharged with caffeine, this somewhat diverse group heads out for a ride in Strathcona county, and usually splits at around the hour and a half mark into a longer (4 -5 hr) and shorter (2 - 3 hr) ride. 

On our first Saturday of June riding, nearly everyone managed to be in team kit! That definitely looks sharp - nicely doubled up and riding smooth down the road.  Also witnessed - the best and safest highway crossing by a group!

June update from Lukas Adomonis!

Hello Juventus,

Since my last update I am now more than a month deep into my racing season; and just as you might expect with any season, it has been a roller coaster ride with plenty of ups and downs. Unfortunately the season started with the low-lights, as I suffered my first crash of the season just 3 days after arriving in BC.  It was at a weekday crit ,during the sprint for the line, and the riders in front of me went down at 55 km/h;  I had no choice but to go down with them. Luckily the only injuries I sustained were a significant amount of road rash, and some serious stiffness for the next couple of weeks. Oh - and a broken fork, which got repaired right away . . . because hey, what are sponsors for - am I right?

Despite not acquiring any serious injuries, the crash did take some of the energy and confidence out of me for the next few races.  I suffered a lot on the bike, with some pretty disappointing results to show for it. Fortunately, my shortcomings were made up for; our team was able to secure a Top 5 in the GC in each of the first 3 races we competed in. Now to the highlights: I feel I am completely healed up from my crash of just over a month ago, and I am starting to show positive signs of the fitness I was bringing into the season before I went down. One of those signs came in the Bikes on Broadway criterium in Saskatchewan, where I lapped the field with one other rider and narrowly missed out on my first Cat 1/2 win by just a couple centimetres.

The biggest adjustment of this season compared to last year racing with Juventus, is that I am experiencing first hand just how much of a team sport bike racing really is. When you live in the same house with your teammates almost 24/7, go on almost every training ride with those same teammates, and then show up to the line for your next race alongside those teammates, it is quite clear on how dependent you are on one another, not just for results in the races, but for your sanity and motivation every single day. I no longer just sit in the pack the whole race and watch out for myself. I am given my own specific role and responsibility each day; sometimes it is to attack from the gun, other times it is to destroy myself on the front of the pack to help set up a teammate - and there are the few select days where I am given the support of my teammates to try and go for the win. These races haven't been easy for me, but when I come to the line in 70th place completely shattered from my effort that day, it makes it all worth it when a teammate comes up and gives you a pat on the back for the help you gave him.

I am now just days away from leaving for Quebec to race in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Saguenay UCI stage race, and then the Elite Canadian National Championships which I fully expect, without a doubt, to be the hardest races I will have ever done up to this point. Linda assures me that she gets a significant amount of positive responses to these Juventus+ updates so once again I'd like to thank whoever is reading this - for the well wishes ,and support.

All the best,

Lukas Adomonis

Juventus youth show racing (including gravel) skills at Stieda Classic!

The Juventus LAMP program continues to produce cohorts of cyclists eager to race and practice tactics whenever they get the chance. Our U15/17s include LAMP and new Juventus program Juniors active on the track, road, and trail.

At the Alex Stieda Classic on Saturday, they put on a great show, and the commissaire's view was the best seat in the house.

Matt M., Matt L., Jonathon, Alex, and Chris on the neutral out to the race start . . . the legs are warming up!

U15s and U17s enjoy the neutral draft as they spin their way to the start.

Chris wears the Juventus Jersey annually awarded to top performers.

And they're off for 35.8 km of racing fun!

The bunch sorts themselves into the first corner.

Earlier, the racers missed the well marked pot hole, but the commissaire's car was not so lucky.

Up out of the saddle . . . was this a stretch, or a sign of things to come . . .?

Should the group let this go?

Matt M. attacks!

A measured response begins.

The U15s and U17s are the first to test the controversial gravel section.

Picking lines, and grinding out the watts.

7 km of gravel will blow up nearly every category.

Flying on the downhill!

3rd place finisher sprints to the line!

The U17 Podium for the Alex Stieda Classic 2016 . . .

(l-r) Matt Meuer, Alex Webb, Chris Heinemann . . . great racing by all!

Saturday - and Juventus Races the Ridge!

It may seem like the weekend was all about the Alex Stieda Classic. Not true! . . . Juventus Cranx, Sprockid, LAMP, Junior, Elite, and Master riders were out in full force at the Sunridge Race the Ridge mountain bike XC event.

As Alberta Cup #2, Race the Ridge also served as a Zone 6 qualifier for the 2016 Alberta Summers Games - so some extra motivation for kids born between 2000 and 2005.

Fortunately, the weather cooperated and the course was able to dry out a bit - so some really fast riding.

Juventus had great success with podiums and super good riding in all categories. Enjoy a few pictures!

New Juventus member great road & crit marshal, AND photographer!

If you have been at the track recently, you probably have met one of our new Germans. Philip is in Edmonton doing an internship involving German/Canadian business innovation. A cyclist in high school, he joined Juventus and is now spinning at the track. There is no doubt as to his skill - he was moved into the A group while still riding an 86" gear.

Phil is pure Juventus in attitude, and was quick to volunteer at his first opportunity. At the Alex Stieda Classic road race he marshalled with flair; and at the crit, he not only marshalled - but managed to take a great series of action shots. Check them out in our Gallery. 

Cranx and Sprockids in Hinton

The Cranx and Sprockids programs made their annual pilgrimage to the Hinton Bike Park on May 29th.   They were joined by families from the Devon Bicycle Association, bringing the total crowd to over 100 kids, coaches, and parents.

In spite of the forecast, the weather was fantastic and the trails were amazing.   Many kids got their first experience on pump tracks, drops, the skills park, and some truly flowy Rocky Mountain singletrack.   

As usual, the favorite track of the day was Flow Master.   The lineup for the trail extended to over 50 kids at one point in the afternoon.

Above all, the kids had fun and gained a ton of skill and confidence throughout the day.

Many thanks the the Hinton Bike Park community for their hospitality, support, and patience with so many people descending on the park at once.

Most of all, thanks to all of the coaches and parents who made the journey to Hinton to help provide such an amazing experience for the kids.  We couldn't do it without you.

Gravel gets thumbs up at Stieda Classic!

Juventus race organizers of the inaugural Alex Stieda Classic decided to add a little spice to their road race:  How about a section with a few twists, and a nice steep hill as a selection . . . and hmmmmmm . . . oh I don't know ... how about we do that in gravel! 

U17 Podium - Alex Stieda Classic 2016

Yes, there were a lot of comments and thoughts about the added spiciness as race day approached. And maybe a few potential racers decided it was just a little too spicy for their taste. Seriously, would our race organizers do enough to adequately prepare the riders, and was the team ready to manage this intentionally included heat?

Cat 1/2 Men's Podium - Alex Stieda Classic 2016

Without a doubt, the gravel section defined the race. It was tough, hard work and the watts required at times meant drafting was meaningless. But it was fun too, with some twists and turns, a selective hill and the chance to change strategy on the next lap! 

Cat 3 Men's Podium - Alex Stieda Classic 2016

And the comments from the racers were unanimous - they LOVED it! And interestingly enough, the follow cars noticed how rider skills improved with each lap. So, yes,  thank you to the weather for having just the right moisture balance in the gravel section for the race, - it sure was a great day!

Women's 3/4/5 Podium - Alex Stieda Classic 2016

Gravel was all the talk on race day, but of course we had our superb team of Juventus volunteers ready to manage the details. The course was perfectly prepped - with road issues clearly marked, signage strategically placed, corners expertly swept, and the parking lot ready. Pre-race activities were completed in a relaxed and efficient manner. Volunteers, race officials and racers enjoyed an easy morning, thanks to the careful planning of the race committee. Look for more about this group in an upcoming expose!

U15 Podium - Alex Stieda Classic 2016

Cat 5 Men's Podium - Alex Stieda Classic 2016

Cat 4 Men's Podium - Alex Stieda Classic 2016

The more times Michael Verveda gets on the podium, the better the chance that Bill will pronounce his name correctly (jk).

Bailey McKnight all smiles with the win for H&R Block at the Alex Stieda Classic 2016.

TL! Group C numbers explode!

The rain on Thursday evening judiciously avoided the Argyll Velodrome and Track League! Even the rain seemed to realize the danger of infringing on the cohort of LAMP kids out to race.

The majority of LAMP riders competed in the C group, along side the variety of competitors spectators have come to expect. The "regulars", could not help but notice the savvy skills and continued improvement of LAMP cyclists. Remember, LAMPsters ride for free at TL! Racing starts every Thursday at 7pm.

The Open 5 km race. All the Cs, and a few Bs . . . well, it started out gentlemanly . . .

Rain at the track ups C1/2 skill set!

12 C1/2 LAMP riders braved the dark skies and wind to show up for track last Wednesday evening. Unfortunately, after warmup and some flying 200s, the rain really started to fall just as they were starting a points race. This didn't deter the group; however, as they moved into the clubhouse and rode rollers. Some of the kids were first-timers on the rollers, but they all did well as you can see in the photos.