The debut of the BC Youth Criterium Championships had 37 of British Columbia’s top bicycle riders showcase their talents at the Mission Raceway Monday.
A criterium is a mass-start road-cycle race consisting of several laps around a closed circuit. Racers from 12 to 17 years old had to endure a hot summer night to challenge the 2.1-kilometre circuit, set up at the River's Edge road course on the raceway grounds.
“Our first BC Youth Criterium Championships was a huge success. We had a great venue, and more importantly, great support from the youth teams. We had riders from Vancouver Island, the Interior as well as from all over the Greater Vancouver area. And to top it off, the racing was awesome,” said Barry Lyster, Cycling BC’s Race Coordinator.
Abbotsford's Annabel Johnson earned a silver in the U15 girls division at the championships. Other Abbotsford riders competing were Alex Chizawsky (U17) and Noah Wiebe (U13).
Mission's Phoenix Velo Cycling Club hosted the event, while Orange Sport supplied prizes.
BC Youth Criterium Champions
• U 17 Girl – Maggie Cole-Lyster, Local Ride Racing
• U 17 Boy – Cameron Fitzmaurice, TAG
• U 15 Girl – Elizabeth Gin, Devo
• U 15 Boy – Tyler Davies, Devo
• U13 Girl – Lilly Ujfalusi, Devo
• U13 Boy – Cody Scott, Devo