Ottawa's Alex Cataford going to Europe

Alex Cataford, image courtesy CCAFrom the Canadian Cycling Association news releases:

Six Junior cyclists to gain experience in three European races this May

(Ottawa, ON) The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) is pleased to announce the athletes who have been selected to represent Canada during the Junior Men’s Spring European program from May 4th to May 30th, 2011.

The team will compete in three major events for junior cyclists:

• Belgium National Events/Kermesses
• May 13-15, 3-Etappen-Rundfahrt, Germany, UCI 2.1
• May 20-22, International Three Days of Axel, Netherlands, UCI 2.1

The team will stay at the CCA’s National Team base in Tielt-Winge, Belgium.

JUNIOR MEN

• Alex Cataford (Ottawa, ON)
• Olivier Delaney (Montreal, QC)
• Jeff Doyle (Victoria, BC)
• Simon Trivett (Stratford, PEI)
• Ty Andrews (Calgary, AB)
• Nigel Ellsay (Comox, BC)

big results at Pan-Am Junior Track Champs

Local Ottawa riders Alex Cataford and Nina Nesdoly are attending the Pan-Am Junior track Championships in Argentina. Alex captured the gold medal in the Men's Individual Pursuit and Nina achieved third place in the Women's Team Pursuit.

Read the Day 3 report here, and Nina's Team Canada rider report from Day 4 here on the Canadian Cyclist website. Pedal Mag also has a Day 3 report and photos.

photos from Pedal Mag, by CCA and Rob Good. click to visit webpage

local athletes and organizers honoured

click to view website

The Ottawa cycling community had several of its members recognized in the recent 2010 OCA Cycling Celebration and awards in Toronto on Saturday, November 20. Over 100 people attended the celebration to commemorate another great year of cycling in the province for road, MTB, track and BMX.

Ottawans recognized for their achievements and contributions to the sport in Ontario are:

• Florence Laplante-Lamarche for Track Female Athlete of the year 
• Alex Cataford for Track Male Athlete of the year
• Ottawa Bicycle Club for CX Organizer of the Year

On a special note, we really must recognize the outstanding work that Bob Woods and Ian Austen have done to keep our cyclocross series going this year.

Ottawa riders at world junior track championships

the canadian team at the Pan Ams. image courtesy CCABob Woods let us know about two local junior riders, Alex Cataford and Florence Laplante-Lamarche, that are right now preparing to race at the World Junior Track Championships in in Montichiari, Italy. The event will be held August 11-15.

You might remember their exploits at the Junior Pan American Track Championships where between them they brought home six medals.

Read the full CCA announcement about World Junior Road and Track Championship events in Italy. Also, the CCA has a brief about the team's first impressions of the fast track in Montichiari:

Feedback from riders was positive regarding the newly-built velodrome as they were able to spin the legs out on Sunday morning. "The track is definitely fast. I am starting to get a good feel for the corners and transitions, and I am excited to race!" noted Mulder, who will be competing in the sprint events.

Wishing Alex and Florence, and the rest of the Canadian teams at the Junior Worlds best of luck. We'll try and keep you updated as to their progress as the event unfolds.

Update on Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 2:48PM by admin

Just some quick updates regarding the Junior World Track Championships. Alex finished 14th on the Individual 3000 meter pursuit in a time of 3:26:24 (ave speeed: 52.366km/hr)  The winner from Australia won in a time of 3:15:752 (55.171 km/hr). Alex placed 20th in the Jr Men's Scratch Race.

Florence has not raced yet.

Update on Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 11:05AM by admin

Good analysis of Alex and Flo's progress and results over at Canadian Cyclist.

more medals for Florence and Alex!

photo courtesy Canadian CyclistCanadian Cyclist reports on the last day at the Junior Pan American Track Championships. Florence Laplante-Lamarche and Alex Cataford had some amazing results:

Florence Laplante-Lamarche (Ottawa, ON) kick started the day by winning the Women's Keirin event, fighting a hard battle to the finish line against Mexico's Frany Maria Fong. Canada's Audrey Labrie (Prévost, QC) came in 7th position.

Alex Cataford (Ottawa, ON) added to Canada's medal tally, winning bronze in the Men's Omnium. Cataford finished the race tied with Maharajh Varun from Trinidad Tobago with regard to points, but he posted the fastest times in the timed events, giving him the advantage on the tie breaker.

Their final medal haul?

Medal tally: 

photo courtesy Canadian Cyclist

• Gold
  • Florence Laplante-Lamarche - Women's Keirin
• Silver
  • Alex Cataford - Men's Points Race
  • Allison Beveridge/Florence Laplante-Lamarche/Audrey Labrie - Women's Team Pursuit
  • Allison Beveridge/Florence Laplante-Lamarche - Women's Team Sprint
• Bronze
  • Alex Cataford - Men's Omnium
  • Florence Laplante-Lamarche - Women's Scratch Race

Check out day 5 photos here on the Canadian Cyclist website.

ottawa cyclists At Junior Pan-American Championships

image courtesy CCASome highlights of results for Alex Cataford and Florence Laplante-Lamarche.

Day one:

Thanks to a team effort by the Canadians, Alex Cataford (Ottawa, ON) took home the silver medal in the 25km Points race, sprinting across the finish line with a total 38 points. In the Points race, there are sprints every 10 laps, where the first four riders to cross the finish line cumulate points. At the end of the 25km, the rider with the most points wins.

In the Women’s 500m Time Trial race Florence Laplante-Lamarche (Ottawa, ON) finished fifth with a time of 37.695 seconds, just ahead of her teammate Audrey Labrie (Prévost, QC) who came in sixth with a sprint of 37.945 seconds. Mexico’s Luz Daniela Gaxiola took home the gold by posting the fastest time of 36.024 seconds.

Click to read more ...