Moving up in the World (Cups)
Soon after the World Cup in Nové Město na Moravě, Czech Republic, Sean Fincham was back in Canada, but not his hometown of Squamish, B.C. Both he and his Forward Racing-norco teammate, Andrew L’esperance, were staying at the family home of Haley Smith in Uxbridge, Ont. The three riders would compete at the next two Canada Cup races, both in Ontario, in the upcoming weeks.
Smith said her whole family enjoys Fincham’s visits. He’s helpful around the house and has a good sense of humour. “Everyone loves to tease him,” Smith said, “because he just takes it with a big smile and a little chuckle.” While Fincham is disciplined with his training, both Smith and L’esperance noted that Fincham seems to excel when it comes to recovery. “He is a very good sleeper when we don’t have to get on the road early for training or travel,” L’esperance said. “I am jealous of that for sure.”
Last season, Fincham made the jump from the junior ranks to under-23. “Switching categories was a big change,” Fincham said. “uci points became harder to get and more important. But now, in my second year as an under-23, I’m starting to figure it out a little bit.” In Nové Město, he placed 17th, his best result at a World Cup to date. He was happy with the result, which seemed to follow from the form and results he showed earlier in the season: fourth at the Bear Mountain Canada Cup in March, sixth at the Sea Otter XC race in April and 21st at the Albstadt World Cup a week before Nové Město.
The uci points that Finchan has amassed during the past season and earlier in this one have helped him out. In 2017, he started World Cup races as far back as 150th place. Now, he’s moved to the low 40s. Events such as the Canada Cups have helped him build up those important uci points. Later this season, Fincham will be after more points and more results as he plans to compete at the World Cup in La Bresse, France, and hopes to return the world championships, which will be held in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.