The Benefits of Committing
In a world where ‘Commitment’ can often be elusive, there's something truly extraordinary about staying true to one's promises. My own mantra for commitment has always been paired with the "underpromise and over deliver” trademark. After months of meticulous planning and countless hours on the ground, working alongside dedicated riders on exciting race projects, I have just completed this year's final commitment to the Ignite Junior Cycling initiative! I am coming off the UCI GP Reubliland event in Switzerland and there is a real sense of accomplishment and pride in knowing that I did everything I committed to for the 2023 season.
My dedication to propelling Canadian Junior riders to ‘starting lines’ of progressively challenging races has been a commitment priority. I am convinced that the more ‘race starts’ an athlete experiences, the more profound the impact it has on nurturing that Canadian cycling talent. Since embarking on this initiative back in January, I've invested approximately 340 hours in meticulous logistical planning to create 50+ race start opportunities. It's been a whirlwind of effort, comprising 9 race projects of varying durations, which collectively demanded a total of 75 days "in the trenches”, molding, channeling and influencing development.
The sum total of this commitment has translated into events across 4 different provinces, 5 distinct countries, and 2 continents. I feel like I have left no stone unturned, committing to community events, Provincial programs, and National Championships on home soil. Our journey, however, didn't stop there. Across the Atlantic, the team extended the season by taking on the challenge of Cycling Vlaanderen events, conquering two European stage races, and finally, culminating with the prestigious UCI GP Reubliland.
Ignite athlete Hudson Lubbers has been a steadfast presence at the many start lines, attending every single project I initiated. I hadn't crossed paths with Hudson prior to the Ignite team. I learned quickly that Hudson is the kind of athlete who will embrace every challenge I throw his way. It's been a privilege to witness Hudson's incredible journey of personal and athletic growth, a journey that has unfolded with an impressive number of race starts. I can't help but reflect on the transformation that he has undergone. He's evolved into a poised, self-assured, and highly skilled bike racer, more than deserving of the opportunity to compete against the world's top junior cyclists. While I already had a sense of his potential when he clinched victory at the Junior Tour of Ireland, it was our venture into Belgium and Switzerland that truly showcased Hudson's ability to elevate his game to yet another level.
Race #1 in Belgium… I just landed in Belgium two days before the first race! I felt confident coming to Europe after our domestic season and of course the JTI win. The morning of the race we drove 50 minutes to Huldenberg. It was a super fun race with a really steep hill on course and a wicked 90kph descent. Halfway through the race I realized the break was going to stick so I knew I had to bridge it solo. With 3 laps to go, I saw two guys dangling off the back and experience told me I could use them to skip across. I used the hill to attack over the top, got a gap and bridged across. Success! I wasn’t too sure how my legs would feel on this attack but I felt stronger and stronger as I went on. Eventually joining the break saw a man out solo. A new plan instantly formulated in my head…. Attack on the last hill, go solo to the line and try to catch the first place rider who was off the front. Boom…Really pumped to start the trip off with the Podium result!
-Hudson Lubbers (U19 Athlete)
Cycling is a sport that undoubtedly stands out for its uniqueness, and when it comes to commitment, it takes on a broader spectrum, especially when fostering the development of younger cyclists. One of the most significant commitments I made this year was to support a couple of U17 riders alongside the normal U19 crew. While my primary focus has always been on Junior talent identification, I saw the potential of investing in 'cadet' riders as a valuable addition to the Ignite talent pipeline. Throughout the season, I extended invitations to identified young riders for various opportunities, including camps, race projects, National Championships, and an unforgettable two-week stint in Belgium.
During the season, I witnessed our younger riders absorb the essence of commitment, adopting best practices, and honing their racecraft under the mentorship of not only coaches but also their more experienced counterparts. It proved to be a pivotal step in accelerating their development and preparing them for the forthcoming U19 category. A defining moment of the season came when U17 rider Antoine Bergeron achieved a remarkable feat by clinching victory in a kermesse race in Kooigem, Belgium. In the pages of Antoine's race journal from that memorable day, we catch a glimpse of the passion and dedication that fuels the journey of these young athletes.
I felt amazing today. This was my fourth European race start! I am really happy to win my first Belgium Kermesse race. I had been watching the Euro’s race and I kinda knew the breakaway was gonna win it today. It was a big group and I just had to make sure I was in the right split, always keeping the corners smooth with power. As soon as Max and another guy got brought back I knew people would be tired and it would be easy to get away. (the break went at 1/3 in the race.) I was solo for about a lap until the peloton started to catch up and two of the strongest guys bridged up. We were then able to all work really well together and create a pretty big gap. Almost got caught on the last lap but the three of us worked to keep the gap open. At the last corner right before the uphill finish I was third wheel and surged past the two guys in front of me which gave me the advantage and was able to power through the end and WIN.
-Antoine Bergeron (U17 Athlete)
The final commitment I made was to staffing, and it has proven to be a pivotal decision. I've come to realize that having a strong and dedicated group of advisors, a qualified pool of coaches, and a team of effective supporters who are intimately acquainted with the sport is indispensable. I have had the privilege of working with a group of advisors who have 100% committed to supporting me as a coach. They've been diligently working behind the scenes to establish our team as a not-profit organization, create a sustainable funding model, and ensure that we operate as a Canadian Trade team while adhering to safe sport guidelines.
Furthermore, I made it a priority to develop a dynamic team of supporting coaches whom I could trust to embrace my leadership style and infuse their unique perspectives into each Ignite project. Collaboration and diversity of thought are key ingredients for success. I also committed to a Coaching Internship for a talented Costa Rican coach residing in a small village near my winter home in Nosara. I think any Coaching system needs to keep advancing its leaders and thus imperative for those at higher levels to extend commitment to sharing their expertise. This commitment to staffing has not only enriched our team but also propelled our aspirations. Here is a quick excerpt from our guest coach.
My name Is Andrés Gamboa and I am a cycling coach from Costa Rica. I've had a great opportunity to have a unique life experience. I am a developing coach and the opportunity to work for the Ignite Junior Team has been incredible. One of the biggest things that I learned from working with Kevin was to let the athletes grow independently by guiding them but not spoiling them. I definitely saw a big change in a few of the riders that had a little less experience with traveling alone and looking out after each other and themselves and that was very encouraging. Briefing and debriefing was always done at every race and to me that is fundamental. The way Kevin addressed the athletes was always respectful and professional, but not only that, you could tell that he was paying close attention to the details. He was an excellent role model for me as a coach. I am very happy and grateful to have had the experience that I did and even more to share so much time with great people like Kevin and all of the amazing athletes that we worked with.
-Andreas Gamboa, Nosara, Costa Rica
Commitment is a power tool for a cycling team! It can contribute to the forward momentum of the overall program and invites a collective group to embrace the goals established at the beginning of the season. Commitment is responsible for taking a simple idea and allowing it to blossom into something special. When I reflect on how I choose to commit my time, I am extremely happy I have chosen to commit to this particular Canadian Cycling Junior Initiative.
