10 Ontario Cyclists Headed to the 2024 Summer Olympics
Mountain Bike Isabella Holmgren Gunnar Holmgren Road Derek Gee Michael Woods Track Endurance Carson Mattern Dylan Bibic Michael Foley Track Sprint James Hedgcock Nick Wammes Tyler Rorke […]
The post 10 Ontario Cyclists Headed to the 2024 Summer Olympics appeared first on Ontario Cycling.
Mountain Bike
- Isabella Holmgren
- Gunnar Holmgren
Road
- Derek Gee
- Michael Woods
Track Endurance
- Carson Mattern
- Dylan Bibic
- Michael Foley
Track Sprint
- James Hedgcock
- Nick Wammes
- Tyler Rorke
Learn More About the Athletes
We asked the athletes some questions, keep scrolling to read their answers!
Isabella Holmgren
Where is your hometown?
Orillia, ON
Best Team Ontario Memory?
My best Team Ontario memory would be the projects for Canada Cup races. It was nice to spend time living and riding with friends. Those projects are where I learnt how to cook, mainly to avoid having spaghetti and red sauce for dinner every night!
Have you ever been to Paris?
I was able to go to Paris earlier in the year to pre ride the Olympic course.
Do you have anything you want to say to your supporters?
Just a big thank you for everyone’s support! Cycling is a sport that takes a village and I wouldn’t be where I am without the help of my friends and family.
Gunnar Holmgren
Where is your hometown?
Orillia, ON
Best Team Ontario cycling memory?
March Break Camp in Rocky Bottom, SC
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I’m bilingual so I’ll get to put it use in France!
Have you ever been to Paris before?
Yes, I was in Paris last year for the test event.
Do you have anything you want to say to your supporters?
A big thank you to Team Ontario for helping develop me as a rider. I wouldn’t be here without the support and opportunities given to me especially in my Cadet/Junior years.
Michael Woods
Where is your hometown?
Ottawa, ON
Did you know: Michael was originally an internationally successful runner who attended the University of Michigan on a full track scholarship.
Looking ahead to the Games: This will be Michael’s third Olympic Games. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, he finished 5th in a tight sprint to the finish.
Derek Gee
Where is your hometown?
Osgoode, ON
Best Team Ontario cycling memory?
South Carolina training camps over March Break.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
In 2023 I tracked every bird species I saw as I traveled the world racing.
Have you ever been to Paris before?
I’ve raced in Paris many times, for World Cups on the track and for road races.
Do you have anything you want to say to your supporters?
Just a big thank you, cycling isn’t the biggest sport in Canada so it’s amazing to see the support coming from back home.
Carson Mattern
Where is your hometown?
Ancaster, ON
Best Team Ontario cycling memory?
I made the provincial U17 track cycling team as a U15 for my first ever track nationals. I had no expectation going into this process and could not have been a prouder young man when I got the jersey for the first time. It has been very cool to continue working with Dave Jack (Team Ontario coach) ever since this day.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
My dog, Enzo, who is an 11 yr old Aussie never fails to cheer (howl) whenever I cross the finish line – win or lose, Often he gets more attention than the riders at the end of the race.
Have you ever been to Paris?
Yes! In 2022 I attended my first ever Elite World Championships which took place at the exact same venue which we will compete at in the Olympics. It will be very comforting going somewhere with a degree of familiarity.
Do you have anything you want to say to your supporters?
I am especially grateful to those who recognized my ability when I was younger and continued to encourage me to pursue cycling as time went on. These are the people who I could rely on through rough patches and who would also provide me a great deal of motivation when I am competing. There is a really special feeling that comes around when you look back and see all the people who have continued to invest their time and energy into you over the years. Thank you to everyone at Ontario Cycling who made all of the development programmed I was apart of a success, who ran all of the events I competed in and who laid the foundation for my Olympic career.
Dylan Bibic
Where is your hometown?
Mississauga, ON
Best Team Ontario cycling memory?
Junior Nationals – winning all 10/10 events for Ontario on the track.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I can ride a unicycle.
Have you ever been to Paris before?
Yes, I made Canadian history in Paris at 19 becoming Elite World Champion in 2022.
Do you have anything you want to say to your supporters?
Thanks for believing in me, I appreciate all the support.
Michael Foley
Where is your hometown?
Milton, ON
Best Team Ontario cycling memory?
Green Mountain team Ontario project back in 2015 or 2016. It was my first stage race and I still have lots of good memories from that trip.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I was a figure skater before I started cycling so I was already pretty comfortable in overly tight pants.
Have you ever been to Paris before?
Yes, my first time in Paris was back in 2016 while I was on a 3 month exchange with a French family in Vendee.
Do you have anything you want to say to your supporters?
Every cheer, every message, every way that you show me how you care about me as a person, means the world to me.
James Hedgcock
Where is your hometown?
Hamilton, ON
Best Team Ontario cycling memory?
2017 BMX Nationals in Calgary, Alberta. It was a very fun trip, 2 weekends of racing and I won nationals, lots of good memories from that trip.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I raced BMX on the national team until 2021, and in 2022 I made the full switch to the track national team.
Have you ever been to Paris before?
I went to Paris in 2022 for the world championships, it was my first world championships on the national team.
Do you have anything you want to say to your supporters?
Thank you to everyone who has helped me get here and believed in me along the way.
Nick Wammes
Where is your hometown?
Bothwell, ON
Best Team Ontario cycling memory?
North Carolina March Break Road Camp.
Have you ever been to Paris before?
I raced World Championships in Paris in 2022.
Do you have anything you want to say to your supporters?
Thank you for everything on this journey. Grateful for all of the experiences I’ve had along the way!
Tyler Rorke
Where is your hometown?
Baden, ON
Best Team Ontario cycling memory?
Rising Stars and Excellence Camps.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Started riding a bike when I was 3.
Have you ever been to Paris before?
Yes, 2022 World Championships.
Do you have anything you want to say to your supporters?
My friends and family have been a huge support and I appreciate everything they have done for me. And to my mom and dad for their support and always showing up to my races!
When to Watch our Athletes
All times are in Eastern Time
GOOD LUCK! We are proud and excited to cheer you on
Photo Credits: Ivan Rupes & Canadian Cyclist
The post 10 Ontario Cyclists Headed to the 2024 Summer Olympics appeared first on Ontario Cycling.