Canada has ruled the domestic as well as most of the world XC racing scene for nearly the last 10 years. Despite this incredible bout of domination, and especially considering their unbelievable big stunt ability, Canada has yet to set the world of gravity racing on fire. This year women junior Micayla Gatto was the only Canadian to factor in any sort of world-level gravity competition. She placed third at the World Champ's. Michelle Dumaresq (Santa Cruz-Nsmb) was the only northern rider to factor in the U.S., finishing 9th overall in the National Mountaincross Series. That's it for the year.
The Canadian Cycling Association wants to put an end to this. Together with Chris Colbeck of Whistler, British Columbia, they have formed a partnership to provide coaching for Canadian national-level Downhill and 4-Cross athletes.
The objective of the program will be to increase the number of internationally competitive athletes Canada can field in these disciplines at World Cup and World Championship events.
Chris has brought together a group of top coaches specializing in a variety of key performance areas to work with aspiring Downhill and 4-Cross athletes. Coaches will be available for both Eastern and Western Canadian-based athletes.
This program will cover long term planning, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, technical, tactical, and World Cup support, and will give the athletes the necessary tools to reach their personal best.
At the first camp for the program, athletes will be introduced to the team of coaches. They will be tested, evaluated and provided with direction and a detailed program. Athletes willing to continue year-round will be given monthly training workouts from each of the coaches for a well-rounded program through the year.
A total 30 athletes will be selected into the program -- 15 from Eastern Canada and 15 from Western Canada. Athletes will have to meet the criteria set forth by the Canadian Cycling Association and the coaches. For more information, please contact Chris Colbeck directly at Ccolbeck@STORMBC.com. |