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Frustrated Canadian track cyclists continue to voice their displeasure and concerns on social media about Cycling Canada’s recent announcement to withdraw its women’s team pursuit squad from the Oct. 14 world championships in Shanghai.
On Monday, Cycling Canada told CBC Sports on Monday its decision was performance-based informed by objective, evidence-based analysis.
In an email to athletes and coaches obtained by Cycling Canada Magazine, the national governing body of cycle racing also cited budget constraints for cancelling the women’s program. However, it will continue to support the equivalent men’s program.
“While difficult, it was made in the best interest of the program’s long-term success,” Cycling Canada CEO Mathieu Boucher said in an emailed statement.
“Results during the current Olympic cycle were not trending towards medal-winning potential. In addition, performances during competition and training did not indicate that these gaps were likely to be closed in time for the LA2028 Games.”
Vancouver track cyclist Fiona Majendie considered not sharing her thoughts on social media but relented over the weekend.
“[It’s] not something I’m willing to stand for,” Majendie, an alternate on the women’s 2024 Olympic track cycling team in Paris, said in an Instagram post Saturday. “The Canadian women’s track [cycling] team is where 100 per cent of the Olympic medals have come from in the last 30 years.
“Since the [2024 Paris Summer Games] the women’s team [has] continued to outperform or [match] the performance of the men’s team.”
Cycling Canada ‘taking deliberate steps’ to improve development
Boucher said Cycling Canada remains committed to the development of the women’s team pursuit program.
“We are taking deliberate steps to strengthen athlete development moving forward,” said. “Targeted investments, in collaboration with the cycling ecosystem, will support future growth through key opportunities, including the junior track world championships [August 2026], Apeldoorn Next Gen Track event [January 2027], Pan American Championships [February 2027], and Milton World Cup [April 2027].”
Ariane Bonhomme of Gatineau, Que., retired from track cycling after learning from an email message she wouldn’t receive Sport Canada funding this season.
“The decline of [the women’s team pursuit program] has nothing to do with the strength, talent or commitment of the riders,” the 31-year-old wrote Sunday on Instagram. “It has everything to do with how the program has been managed over the past several years.”
Clara Hughes, Canada’s retired road cycling and speed skating Olympian, said she was “deeply saddened and disappointed” to read about women’s team pursuit and said it was a lame decision.
“I am sad for this group of athletes who will not have the chance to try and to live their dreams,” the Winnipeg native said in responding to Majendie’s remarks. “What a massive bummer. Not necessary and inexcusable. Shame on Cycling Canada for this.”
Hughes, who earned two individual bronze medals in road cycling at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, also feels for aspiring track cyclists dreaming to do the same.
“For all the girls out there, who could possibly see this women’s team try and potentially succeed and possibly fail … I am sad for them, too,” the Winnipeg native said.
Boucher expects Canada’s world championship team in China will include a strong group of female and male athletes competing across team and individual events.
Last year, Lily Plante of Sutton, Que., won national titles in the omnium, individual pursuit, and madison.
Plante: ‘Lack of accountability and support’
For the past six years, Plante “gave everything” she had to the Canadian track program, she shared on Instagram last Friday.
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