Cyclists react to Cycling Canada’s team pursuit decision

There have been all sorts of comments this last week after the news that Cycling Canada would be cancelling the women’s team pursuit program.

The federation sent out a letter to athletes and coaches that it will not send a women’s TP squad to the 2026 UCI track world championships in Shanghai.

“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 the 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.”

Reactions

Many athletes, past and present reacted. Fiona Majendie, part of the 2024 Olympic TP squad, said she wasn’t sure whether or not she wanted to address it. Ultimately she did, posting a long message about her disappointment on Instagram.

“This is not something I’m willing to stand for. Since the 2024 Olympics the women’s team has continued to outperform or match the performance of the men’s team,” she said. Majendie also cited Cycling Canada’s words saying that two years was too short of a gap for an athlete to improve. However, she did her first team pursuit in 2022, and just two years later, was at the Games.

Former pro cyclist and multiple Olympic medalist Clara Hughes weighed in on the post, saying, “This is so lame on cycling Canada’s behalf. I am deeply saddened and disappointed to read this,” the road and track cyclist (and speedskater) said. “For all the girls out there who could possibly see this women’s team try and potentially succeed and possibly fail, who would dream themselves one day that maybe they could try, too, I am sad for them, too. I am sad for this group of athletes who will not have the chance to try and to live their dreams. What a massive bummer. Not necessary and inexcusable. Shame on Cycling Canada for this.”

Another current team pursuiter, Lily Plante spoke about the sacrifices she and her teammates had made.

“Like many others on this team, I sacrificed financially, physically, mentally, and personally to represent Canada on the international stage. I paid thousands of dollars out of pocket to…