Alison Jackson weighs in on Cycling Canada’s team pursuit decision

Recently Cycling Canada sent an email with a surprising update about the women’s team pursuit squad. They would not be sending a squad to Shanghai from Oct. 14-18.

“Given the outcome of the review and current budgetary constraints faced by Cycling Canada, it was established that a women’s team pursuit should not be sent to 2026 world championships. Resources will instead be directed toward individual events and team pursuit development initiatives within the Women Track Endurance Program,” the email read. “As Cycling Canada focuses on team pursuit development, we will continue to pursue the qualification for the Women’s Omnium and madison at the 2028 L.A. Olympic Games. This will include support of athletes at the necessary events to qualify.”
As you can imagine, those involved in the program were shocked. An open letter followed: below,

Canadian Cycling Magazine has posted this in full:

Athletes push back after Cycling Canada cancels women’s team pursuit program

There was also a statement from Cycling Canada, also posted in full:

Cycling Canada responds after cancellation of women’s team pursuit program

Now, two-time Olympian and current national champion Alison Jackson, who has ridden with the national team extensively, has weighed in on the statement from Cycling Canada.

“Cycling Canada sent a very vague response that does not prove or show specifics of an outline for development. Also, whose data are they analyzing? Everything is very vague. The track program has lost a lot of great athletes due to poor culture, non-performance management and coaching,” She said.

According to Jackson,  “There never seemed to be a push for development of ‘Hail Mary’ attempts to make this program great. The athletes have heavily invested but the structure and culture has not been in place to produce something with it. I feel for the athletes, investing in a dream, not being consulted, and not seeing passion in their coaches to really make something happen for them.”