Track Provincials - Medals and PBs in Calgary!!
A keen crew of eleven Juventus riders (Scott, Zack, Ryan, Mikael, Chris, Matt, Peter T, Peter H, Dan, Lindsay, Gail), one coach (Alex Ongaro), one manager (Dave Embury), one Edmonton friend (Kevin) and four supportive parents (Aaron, Dave, John and Kien) ensured a strong presence at the Provincial Track Championships in Calgary August 19th and 20th.
The weekend was full of great competition, personal bests, podiums, camaraderie and as always, lots of learning for all.
Warming up under the guidance of coach Alex.
We love our wonderful club tents, as a place of our own for 2 days!
Although there were separate youth provincials 2 weeks earlier, Matt and Chris came to compete anyway - and held their own in tough fields of adult racers.
Scott celebrates his Kieren podium
Zach + Scott = newfound Madison superpowers!! Honestly one of the most entertaining races of the weekend!
Post podium shenanigans.
What folks were working hard for: gold, silver and bronze!
Congratulations to all on your stellar performances!
Perfect Weekend for PRW Series
A diverse group of Juventus raced the PRW series this weekend.
Glenora neighbourhood in Edmonton gave a warm welcome to organizers, riders, and spectators, who were all treated to a spectacular crit course on pristine roads. The weather was perfect - hot, but with a lovely breeze under shaded streets.
On Sunday, racers headed to Miquelon Lake Provincial Park for the road race. Again, the day was clear and warm, but a strong wind ensured the field needed to be crafty.
Congratulations to all of our riders: we had solid results in Men's 1-2, 3, 4, and 5, Women's 4/5, U17 and U15 categories. This race was yet another opportunity for our LAMP+ group to practice and execute race strategy, yielding multiple podiums!!
Juventus at XC Nationals
Thanks to Greg Sowak for a great article along with superb pics!
The sun shone and the dust flew at the Canmore Nordic Centre two weekends ago as Alberta hosted the Canadian National Cross-country (XC) Mountain Bike Championships for the first time since 2011.
Although the spotlight shone most brightly on veteran professional/World Cup athletes like Geoff Kabush, Raphael Gagne, Emily Batty, and 2014 World Champion Catherine Pendrel, our Juventus Expert Juniors and Cadets (U17) all had opportunities to test their mettle against Canada's best!
It was an awesome weekend of riding, racing, and learning.
Batty and Pendrel rode away from the field and battled off the front of the women’s Elite race. Batty eventually climbed away for the win and repeated as National Champ!
They make it look SO easy!
Our Juventus athletes all delivered huge efforts and awesome performances on a daunting Olympic/World Cup level race course in hot, dry, and dusty conditions.
Team Alberta’s Sean Germaine and Juventus’ Cody Shimizu lined up with the Elite Men’s U23 field, race faces set and dialed in.
Cody climbed well …
. . . and cleaned the technical sections with poise and precision (don’t let your mom see you doing this, Cody!)
On the Junior Expert women’s side, Laura MacLean and Abbey McGill both put in solid efforts, finishing 9th and 7th respectively.
Laura and Abbey, ready to roll.
‘A’ line or ‘B’ line, take your pick!
Abbey chooses ‘A’.
16-year-old Ryan MacLean was the story of the weekend though, finishing 8th in the Men’s Cadet (U17) National Championship race on Saturday and cruising to victory in the Alberta Cup U17 race on Sunday. Luke Bristow was not far behind, finishing Sunday's 4 lap Alberta Cup event in a very respectable fourth place. Congratulations boys!
Up-and-comer Annie Wyminga Scott continues to place well! She finished 3rd in Sunday’s U15 Women’s race.
Off the gun, Ryan was smooth and composed . . .
. . . he stayed focused . . .
. . . and most importantly paid attention to his coaches!
By the way, BIG thanks to our awesome Juventus coaches Tracy Shearer and Ken Germaine, who tirelessly worked the pits to keep the kids "gelled", hydrated, and rolling! And special thanks to Karen Germaine who tolerated and fed a house full of bloody, dusty, smelly mountain bikers for 4 days ... but I guess she's used to that ;)
See you again in 2018, Canmore!
Between their races, our athletes ‘camped’ at the notorious “Get Down” section to study the pros and scope the gnarly crashes.
Juventus spin to success at Calgary Trackfest!
A bunch of good looking racers: Zac, old timer Gail, young'un Lukas, Meika, brave A group racer Chris, newcomer Ryan, and AVRA coach Alex.
Coach Alex provided sage advice, a calming influence, and incredible skills . . . including building a tent and tarp compound for every Juventi that would rival the most glamorous "glamping" accommodations.
Of note - Meika jumped into racing after next to no training, as she had been prepping for her bar exams, and U17 Chris raced with the super fast A group (including Olympic star Tara Whitten) throwing down several best times in his events.
Gail bowed out of the omnium to focus on completing a smoking hot pursuit (mission accomplished); Zach continued his breakthrough season as a super tough competitor in the A group (just look at the seasoned and very fast men he beat in the omnium!)
Not in the photo is Peter who continued his decades long streak of making his competitors hurt in the endurance events. Also not pictured are super-Dads Aaron and Ralf who were quick to help everyone in many ways.
Zach 2nd in the A omnium
Lukas wins the C category omnium
Meika 2nd in the B omnium
Juventus wins big at School's Out Dash!
A small, but powerful troupe of ten Juventus youth journeyed to Calgary on Sunday - Father's Day - for Bicisport's School's Out Dash Track Meet. It was a very long and busy day!! The group left Edmonton very early in the morning, and spent the day competing at Calgary's Glenmore Velodrome.
All racers competed in a host of events for Omnium titles in the males and female age groups. U13, U15s (Juventus Annie, Lukas, our 2 Samuels, Nic, and Jack), U17s (Juventus Mat, and Chris), and U19s (Juventus Zac, and Cheyenne) had a full day.
Events included a Flying 200, Scratch Race, Kilo/500 TT, Elimination Race, and Points Race. Juventus riders adjusted extremely well to Calgary's longer 400 m track (they are used to our own 333 m Argyll Velodrome).
After competition, the team returned to Edmonton - one amazing day, and great use of Daylight Saving Time! Congratulations to all!
Juventus U15s are in the bunch on the Calgary track . . . ready to go!
Annie wins the W U15 Omnium
Lukas takes the U15 Omnium
Chris on the Omnium podium for U17 men
Cheyenne wins the W U19 Omnium
Zac tops the U19 Omnium podium
CANADA Day Crit Registration!
On Zone 4 here!
TECH Guide here!
Rose Gold for Wozny and Copeland!
On Day 1 of the Masters' National Road Championships, Juventus Club President, Gail Wozny, took the bronze in the Master's Women (over 30 years) ITT. Our Master's Coach, Bruce Copeland, also raced to third spot on the men's side. Congratulations, and best of luck to all of our Masters competing in Vancouver!
Masters at Road Nats, while the younguns race Hayman Classic -
A number of our Masters are competing at Masters Road Nationals in Vancouver this weekend. They have option to contest an ITT, Road Race, and Criterium. It has been the focus of training for months!
You can check RR results here, Crit results here, and ITT results here
Meanwhile, we have U15, U17, and U19 Juniors, and LAMP+ riders in Penticton, BC to compete at the Hayman Classic. This is a big deal - it is a four stage race:
A mass start hill climb on Friday morning
A circuit race Friday afternoon
A crit on Saturday morning (and yum, a banquet in the evening!)
A very challenging Road Race on Sunday
There will be overall General Classification, and as with any stage race, it will take endurance and tenacity to be competitive.
Want to know more? Follow them on Instagram: JuventusHayman2017 or Twitter: juvehayman2017
Here is the HAYMAN CLASSIC website for results
To all we say, "Look good, feel good . . . feel good, GO FAST!!"
Everyone is talking about Stieda Classic, but . . .
. . . we had Sprockids doing some really important riding. For example - there was an adventure to Gnomia!
And what is the best way to travel to Gnomia . . . ?
Masters' looking fine on Saturday ride -
Spring, summer, and fall - on Saturday mornings, our Masters' Group gets in a long ride from the Good Earth Cafe. When the weather is especially fine, the group looks especially good! Now, if only Tino could choose the correct jersey . . .
A tight, and smooth ride - just like the pros -
An hour into the ride and the Juventus group looks fresh!
perfect tl! / PERFECT TL!
Kids love the track - and on Thursday evening tl! ensured the perfect conditions for fun . . . and riding and racing track style. tl! goes every Thursday at 5:30 - 6:45pm at the Argyll Velodrome. The emphasis is on learning, and then about figuring out how to go faster . . .
Jeff shows the first tl! group how to sight the best 200 line -
And at 7 pm on Thursdays y'all are welcome to TL! racing. 'A' and 'B' groups raced a Devil, Wheel Race, and Japanese Tempo, with the 'C's taking on a Team Pursuit instead of the WR. Great competition all evening finished with a 'friendly' 5 km, and a 10 mile. Who would have guessed that Adam would make the move to split the race! In the end, it was Zac just nipping Scott at the line. How long will Zac's time remain in the #1 position on the 10 mile leader board?? Come race, or come spectate next week!!
TL! 'A' group tactics unfold in the Devil -
Gail, and Dave getting a few words from Coach Alex -
'B's and 'C's ready to enjoy seeing the 'A's suffer a little -
The Devil has eliminated one . . . who is next?
Jack runs the show tonight, 'A's racing, and a beautiful Thursday to enjoy the competition at Track League!
track league! and Track League!
Starts tonight!!! - Thursday May 4th
tl! (track league! for kids) 5:30 - 6:45 pm The emphasis is on learning and fun.
TL! (Track League! for the rest) 7:00 pm
Info for 2017 Alex Stieda Classic!!
81" Cup Sunday!
Get ready to spin those legs at the nth annual 81" Cup!
Sunday April 30th
Racing starts at 10 am
Cog and ring combos that yield 81" of advance/full pedal stroke . . . (or less if your name is Ross Wilson)
- 48/16 will work (47/16 if your name is Ross Wilson)
2nd Annual Alex Stieda Classic May 27-28!
Exciting times ahead for LAMP+, Juniors, Elites, and Masters . . . The Alex Stieda Classic is set for Saturday May 27, and Sunday May 28!
Stay tuned and be ready to volunteer when you receive our recruitment email. Maximal fun guaranteed!
Alberta Weather - Wrong!
So many Juventus have trained diligently throughout the winter months . . . on trainers, CTs, and rollers. Finally, FINALLY . . . the snow melts, the roads begin to look a bit less filthy. We are outdoors!!! We are breathing fresh air!!! Our view is ever changing . . . but then - Alberta.
This Easter ride looks like a heck of a lot of fun, but do not be fooled - indoor roller riding in April sucks. And the Masters over in the CT room probably agree. Hang in there Juventus . . .
Annie, Meika, Paul's ear, Kinley, Jeff and Adam endure an indoor Easter session, as a snow covered track thwarts yet another April ride.
Stefan Ritter named Alberta Junior Male Athlete of 2016
Stefan Ritter, along with coach Alex Ongaro, put together one wild ride of a season for 2016. In his final year as a junior, Stefan won the Junior World Championship in the I km TT, and took bronze in the Match Sprint. He then targeted, and set a new Junior World Record for both the 1 km TT, and Flying 200.
Stefan Ritter - Junior World 1 km TT Champion 2016
Alberta Sport Connection is honouring Stefan with the Junior Male Athlete of 2016 Award.
The Athlete Award recognizes and celebrates significant achievements, performances and contributions of Alberta’s amateur athletes. Award winners are outstanding role models who inspire other Albertans to higher achievements at the recreational or competitive level.
Stefan is currently in Hong Kong, where he is set to compete in the 2017 World Track Cycling Championships. He will ride as man 3 in the Team Sprint, as well as the 1 km TT.
The Awards will be presented at the Alberta Sport Recognition Awards Banquet on April 28, 2017, at the 2017 Alberta Sport Leadership Conference in Banff.
Congratulations to Stefan on being named Alberta's Junior Athlete of 2016, and best of luck in your upcoming World Championship competition.
Track ready for riding!
A few people think they were first to ride the track this year . . . but all are WRONG. Someone else got his/her wheels there first! HaHA!
No need to fret . . . this season has ample opportunities for track racing and track training. The track group will shift its schedule to Tuesday@6:30 / Sunday@9am next week (April 4). Naturally we will be outdoors - unless we are not.
And stay tuned for tl! and TL! starting on May 4th. What is tl! you ask? Hmmmmmm . . . Some fun for sure!
Meanwhile, a solid group of 11 contested the first Ten Mile of the season on March 29th. Some were fast, and others were much faster . . .
It's spring in Europe and Burtnik is ready!
Juventus U23 Evan Burtnik is in his second season with Cycling Canada's Team Race Clean.
After a rest stop in Edmonton over Christmas - including skate skiing and the occasional trainer session at the clubhouse, Evan headed to L'Alqueria De La Comtessa, Spain to train with his trade team.
Evan arrived January 20th, and has been operating from a house just south of Valencia.
Evan and Team Race Clean have put in many, many . . . MANY kilometres - pedalling the country side, and augmenting road work with tough Lemond trainer sessions.
2017 Team Race Clean
Guys - that cloud's coming in pretty fast!
Reps up vall d'ebo . . . definite skin eater workout!!
Training on the cobbles
Now, two months later, Team Race Clean has moved it's hub, locating near Ath, Belgium; Evan is feeling confident, and the lads are ready to take on some key races!
First up was Kattekoers 2017 - the first offering in the UCI U23 Nations Cup. The UCI U23 Nations' Cup is an annual, season-long competition for under-23 male road cyclists.
Kattekoers is a race rich with history, and has been contested in various forms since 1934. Evan described it as, "a 187 km kick in the teeth"! One thing about road racing - the result sheet doesn't tell the whole story. Evan's description of the race:
"60 km in there was a huge crash as soon as we hit the crosswinds. Sean went down, I barely dodged it. Rode echelons for 30 km and eventually got on . . .
Dodged and got caught up in some more crashes . . .
Wasn't feeling that bad heading into the circuits but I'm just not that strong over cobbles, I got thrown around, and I'm just not very smooth . .
So over the kemmelberg I barely make it over with the peloton
Chain dropped at the bottom of the 3rd berg a few km later and got caught between the frame and crank
Had to get off and rip it out and that was my day over
Brutally savage day though"
Kattekoers - Nations Cup 2017
Kattekoers - Nations Cup 2017
Solid racing.