12.12.11 -2012 MOUNTAIN BIKE CALENDAR FEATURES STRONG CANADA CUP, UCI WORLD CUP EVENTS

St-Félicien to host 2012 Canadian Mountain Bike Championships; Six Canada Cup races offered in new year

(Ottawa, ON – December 16, 2011) The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) is pleased to unveil the 2012 Mountain Bike calendar, which features the UCI World Cup at Mont-Sainte-Anne, the 2012 Canadian Mountain Bike Championships as well as six events on the Canada Cup series, for both downhill and cross-country.

“Once again this year, Canada’s mountain bikers will be treated to some exciting races, especially at the 2012 Canadian Championships and the classic UCI World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne, which marks 21 years of non-stop international racing,” said Mathieu Boucher, Director of development for the Canadian Cycling Association. “In addition to these great events, the Canada Cup will also mark key dates on the calendar, in its 21st year of operations, providing great advancement opportunities for the up-and-coming athletes, as well as established Canadian elite racers.

The 2012 Canadian Mountain Bike Championships makes its way to St-Félicien, QC for the presentation of the cross-country races and the team relay from June 16-17, while the downhill championships races will be disputed at Mont-Sainte-Anne from July 7-8. The cross-country championships will feature some of Canada’s top athletes, notably Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, BC, Marie-Hélène Prémont of Chateau Richer, QC and Emily Batty of Brooklin, ON – all ranked in the Top 10 of the World Cup standings. Max Plaxton of Victoria, BC will attempt to defend his 2011 title, while Geoff Kabush of Courtenay, BC will make a run to become the most decorated Canadian Mountain Biker of all time, gunning for an eighth Elite title.

The downhill portion of the Canadian Championships will be held at Mont-Sainte-Anne on July 7-8, on a similar course used for the 2012 UCI World Cup. Many of Canada top riders will race against the clock to win Canada’s most prestigious downhill prize, the Red and White jersey.

On the UCI World Cup, Mont-Sainte-Anne will welcome cross-country as well as downhill races for all racing categories. This classic international event, organized by GESTEV in Québec, is the only stop on the international calendar that has hosted consecutive international events since 1991, including two UCI World Championships (1998, 2010). Mont-Sainte-Anne is a racer-favorite event, always appreciated by all the elite racers and teams from around the World as well as the International Cycling Union, the international governing body for cycling. Pendrel has won the event twice, including last season in front of a home crowd of wild and cheering fans.

The Canada Cup comes back for a 21st season, and will feature six races on the calendar – four cross-country races and two downhill races. Once again, the Canada Cup Series, which consists of internationally-sanctioned races, will hit four different provinces in Eastern and Western Canada. Québec will welcome four races, Ontario will play host to one cross-country race, while Alberta and BC will share the duties of hosting the Canada Cup finals. The Canada Cup is the series that has helped propelled Canada to the top of the international standings, providing race experiences to developing riders on the verge of World Cup racing.

2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS – MOUNTAIN BIKE

May 19: Coupe Canada Cup (Cross Country) – Mont-Tremblant, QC

May 20: Coupe Canada Cup (Downhill) – Mont-Tremblant, QC

May 27: Coupe Canada Cup (Cross Country) – Baie-Saint-Paul, QC

June 3: Coupe Canada Cup (Cross Country) – Hardwood Ski and Bike, ON

June 16-17: 2012 Canadian Mountain Bike Championships (Cross Country) – St-Félicien, QC

June 23: 2012 UCI World Cup (Cross country) – Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC

June 24: 2012 UCI World Cup (Four-cross) – Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC

June 25: 2012 UCI World Cup (Downhill) – Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC

July 7- 8: 2012 Canadian Mountain Bike Championships (Downhill) – Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC

July 16: Coupe Canada Cup Finals (Cross country) – Canmore, AB

July 29: Coupe Canada Cup Finals (Downhill) – Panorama Mountain Resort, BC

August 26: Raid Bras Du Nord (Cross country Marathon) – St-Raymond, QC