AusCycling is delighted to announce the group of young riders selected for the latest overseas development opportunity as part of its MTB Development Pathway Academy.
Seven under-17 riders have been chosen to challenge themselves at two international C1 UCI cross-country races in Canada next month.
The squad will line up across two Canada Cup rounds in Québec, beginning in Sherbrooke on May 31 to June 1, before heading to Baie-Saint-Paul on June 6 to 7.
Both events will feature short course (XCC) and cross-country Olympic (XCO) racing at C1 level, giving the riders a well-rounded experience of international racing across formats.
Among the riders chosen are newly crowned U17 XCO national champions Sylvia Dagg and Michael Straffon.
Both are leading the overall rankings in the AusCycling XCO MTB National Series with one round to go in Cairns.
“Racing internationally at this stage gives them exposure to different courses, deeper competition, and new challenges that you simply can’t replicate at home,” said Donna Dall, AusCycling’s Development Academy Manager for MTB.
“The goal is for them to come away from this experience more confident, more capable, and better prepared for what lies ahead."
AusCycling U17 MTB Development Academy - Canada
- Sylvia Dagg (Garigal Gorillas MTB Club)
- Charli Edwick (Gold Coast Cycling Club)
- Beau Mullins (Sunshine Coast Cycling Club)
- Hamish Retchford (Team Mount Beauty)
- Benjamin Shaw (Tamworth Cycle Club)
- Michael Straffon (Canberra Off-Road Cyclists)
- Archie Winter (Adelaide Mountain Bike Club)
Photo Credit: Matt Rousu Photography