Looking Ahead
The Silver Goose UCI C2 Cyclocross Race
Head up to Georgian Bay this October, to Midland, Ont., and you’ll be able to take in some of the best cyclocross racing in Canada. The Silver Goose CX race has grown quickly since 2014; in 2017, it will be a uci C2 race for the first time.
“The highlight of the weekend will be the uci C2 races for elite men and women, under-23 and junior classes,” said event organizer John Hauser, who has expanded the event to two days. “Ontario Cup races, kids races and citizen events will help fill out the schedule.”
Hauser first got excited about cyclocross after watching the 2013 worlds in Louisville, Ky. “As I watched the grimaced, mud-speckled faces of the world’s elite roll their bikes swiftly up and down through twists and turns, something deep inside me was energized by the spectacle,” Hauser said. “I was hooked.”
Hauser had no experience organizing bike events, but had been involved in varsity rowing in university and had done some fun cycling races. After returning from Kentucky, Hauser started to see a course in his mind’s eye while walking in Little Lake Park.
In 2016, the Silver Goose course was the site of the provincial CX championships. To help with the race’s expanded status for 2017, Hauser has called on former pro Davide Frattini to handle sponsorship development. The organizer has also built a solid relationship with local police to help bring the event together.
“We have some really talented athletes in Simcoe County. The Centurion Next Wave team has riders, such as Erica Leonard and Gunnar Holmgren,” said Hauser. “I wanted to give them a chance to excel at a home event and score uci points within Canada aside from at the national championships.” ( silvergoosecx.ca)— Deancampbell