Thanks to some strong performances from local athletes, Team Ontario mountain bikers had a golden day at the Canada Summer Games.
Buoyed by a pair of local twins, Team Ontario's women's team won gold in the team relay while the men's team cycled to a silver medal at the event in Welland that attracted the nation's top athletes.
Isabella Holmgren set a blistering pace for Team Ontario, turning in the fastest lap time for women. Jocelyn Stel rode a strong second lap for Ontario. The team was anchored by the cross country gold medal winner Ava Holmgren to bring home another gold for Team Ontario.
Second place went to Team Quebec while Team Alberta had a close battle with Team B.C. to take the bronze. The course was dry and fast for the relay with significant efforts from the volunteer crew to keep the event running smoothly after torrential rains earlier this week.
In the men’s relay, Severn Township’s Ian Ackert led Team Ontario off with a great start, followed by Xander Woodford, with Matt Leliveld anchoring the team to a solid second place in a stacked field. Team Quebec won gold with Nova Scotia securing the bronze medals.
Coach Rob Holmgren was thrilled with the efforts of the athletes and proud to be coaching seven of the medallists from the event.
The mountain bikers have one more competition day, on Friday, where they will compete in an eliminator-style sprint event.
