The Foundation advocates for athletes and the sport by working with national and international groups to support athlete identification and development. In the past decade the Foundation has focused its support on Junior category athletes (17 & 18 year olds).
The announcement that Canada will host the 2026 Road Cycling World Championships the Foundation will seek to identify support a select few junior and U23 athletes over multiple years. The goal, these athletes can become globally competitive U23 racers for the Montreal World Championships. The project is called Mission 2026.
WE SUPPORT YOUNG ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT IN 3 WAYS:
01 Grants – Mission 2026 – preparing for our next Home World Champs & Young prospects – for the generation coming up next
We established these grants for athletes born between 2004 – 2010, who have the potential to be among the world’s best junior and U23 racers by 2026 & beyond.
02 Junior World Championships Program
We have supported over 70 athletes to attend preparation camps, competition and ultimately the World Championships. We consider success to be athlete retention in the sport and progression through the next phases of their careers.
70% of athletes are recruited to internationally registered trade teams. 10% move up to the highest levels of professional cycling.
03 Ross Chafe Award – valuing academic & sport excellence
We established this award in memory of a long-standing Foundation Director. Making it to the top of pro cycling is rare. Encouraging our athletes to pursue higher education during their athletic careers is both possible and sets them up for lifelong success.
This grant is currently on hold.