11.25.10 -CANADIAN BMX STAR TO COMEBACK AFTER INJURY, MAKING ELITE DEBUT

Tory Nyhaug enters Elite category in his comeback race

(November 25, 2010 – Ottawa, ON) Canada’s BMX star Tory Nyhaug of Coquitlam, British Columbia, will make a comeback into competitive cycling after sustaining a lacerated spleen injury at the 2010 UCI BMX World Championships in South Africa earlier this summer.

The young sensation, a multiple UCI World Champion in junior categories, will also race for the first time in the Elite category against the world’s best riders.

"I'm really excited to come back to racing, it was a really long 4 months off. It wasn't easy mentally, but I'm back stronger and hungrier than ever. I look forward to this race and the busy 2011 schedule," said Tory Nyhaug.

Nyhaug is scheduled to compete at the Grand National Pro Series Finals in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday November 26th. He then will face many international BMX stars, including the defending Olympic and World champion Maris Strombergs of Latvia, the #1-ranked rider on the UCI World rankings.

“We’re really glad to see that Tory had a nice recovery from his injury. He’s a tough competitor, and always aims for the top prize. Moving up to Elite will be challenge for him in the short term, but we know it won’t take much time before he can be a contender amongst the World’s best,” said Adam Muys, head coach of the Canadian BMX team.

At the 2010 UCI BMX World Championships, Nyhaug suffered from a lacerated spleen while training for the race. He did not participate in the World championships race.

The event in Oklahoma, sanctioned as a Class-4 race, is included in the Canadian Olympic Cycling Team qualification process.

Three other Canadians will compete at the event: Jim Brown of Airdrie, Alberta, Steven Creighton of Coquitlam, British Columbia and Samantha Cools of Airdrie, Alberta.

The Canadian Cycling Association is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada. Founded in 1882, the CCA aims to create and sustain an effective system that develops talented Canadian cyclists to achieve Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship medal performances.

With the vision to be a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020 celebrating enhanced international success, increased national participation and world class event hosting, the CCA manages the National teams, hosts national and international events, and administers community programs to promote Cycling in Canada. For more information, please visit: www.canadian-cycling.com.