The Expanding List of Canadian Cycling Heroes
Looking back and looking ahead to riders we should celebrate
Like me, you’ve probably had the following conversation. It often happens in July, during the Tour de France. The race comes up as you chat with someone who doesn’t follow cycling as closely as you. But everyone’s heard of the Tour. You mention this great bit of trivia: “You know, the first North American to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour – he’s a Canadian.” Then you tell your listener about Alex Stieda’s morning in a breakaway on a split stage in 1986 that got him the maillot jaune. Now, also like me, you’ll have to change your story a bit after reading Dan Dakin’s feature in this issue. Your story will now start like this: “You know, the first North American to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour – she’s a Canadian.”
Dan’s story is fantastically researched. It details an important and little-known bit of our cycling history. Thirty-five years ago, a squad of Canadian women rode in the Tour de France Féminin. They had a tough time against the Dutch squad, but distinguished themselves throughout the course of the race’s 18 stages. I don’t want to give anymore away, so check out ‘The Forgotten Women of Canadian Cycling’ (p.40).
Also in this issue, I cover another impressive Canadian achievement in cycling that’s likely running under many people’s radars. Paracyclist Tristen Chernove (p.8) won his 12th rainbow jersey this past spring – his 12th. The rider from Cranbrook, B.C., has been racing at a high level since
2016. In 2017, he won all the jerseys on road and track that he could have possibly taken. Also what’s striking about Chernove, and this is something fellow paracyclist Keely Shaw (p.64) brought to my attention, is that he’s a fast rider regardless of what race he’s in, whether it’s a C2 paracycling event or a predominantly able-body race, such as April’s Tour of Walla Walla (where he was third in the masters 40-plus category).
As a fan of high-level cycling, it’s easy to wring your hands when you look at the men’s Tour and see that it hasn’t had a Canadian in it since Antoine Duchesne in 2016. But, not to worry. Remember to look beyond the men’s Tour. This July, after you tell the story of the 1984 Women’s Tour de France, mention Chernove’s records, and the country’s two bronze medals at last year’s road worlds, and Shelly Gautier’s perfect season…there’s just so much to tell.
Matthew Pioro Editor