January 8/16 17:30 pm - The Cyclery-Opus Announces New Signings & Sponsor

Posted by Editoress on 01/8/16
 

Junior rider Liah Harvie, a member of the Canadian squad at the 2015 world championships, will join The Cyclery-Opus team for the 2016 season.  The 19 year old Harvie adds to the team's Alberta connection, which includes Tara Whitten and team DS Jenny Trew.  Harvie has consistently been the top Junior in Canada over the last two seasons - finishing 19th in the road race at the 2014 Junior World Championships as a first year Junior and bettering this with a 10th place finish in the individual time trial in Richmond in 2015. Originally from Banff, Alberta, Harvie also won the Canadian National Championships in both the road race and the criterium this past summer.

The Cyclery-Opus with Director Sportive - Jenny Trew (far right)

The Cyclery-Opus is also thrilled to announce a partnership with Energy Lab Wheels as the team's exclusive race wheel supplier for the 2016 season.

Based out of Calgary, EnergyLab is known for innovative engineering and demanding standards.  Their wheels have been tested in the University of Calgary wind tunnel and incorporate a symmetrical toroidal wing foil design to offer superior performance and comfort. The Energy Lab VC60 series of wheels that the team will use as their primary wheel has received the UCI safety testing approval. The team will race on an assortment of EnergyLab wheels over the course of the season - matching course conditions with rider preference and style. Long time team sponsor Continental tires will make for an ideal pairing with these fast new wheels.

About The Cyclery-Opus
The Cyclery-Opus Women's Cycling team helps young, aspiring Canadian cyclists navigate the gap between Junior and regional level into international and professional racing.  Canada has always had the talent, with a great history of female bike racers, but too often there has not been a pipeline or structure to help them advance.

This amateur team creates that pipeline, fostering a professional environment and culture of teamwork that advances athletes' careers - both on and off the bike.  Over the last three seasons the team has brought home results in Quebec, British Columbia and the across the U.S.A.  Our athletes have won three medals at the Pan-American Championships, won four National Titles and, in the case of team leader and Olympic medalist Tara Whitten, qualified Canada for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio.

The Cyclery-Opus 2016 squad:

Tara Whitten (34, Edmonton, AB) - the Olympic Bronze medalist and three time World Champion is back for her second year on The Cyclery Racing team.  Last year she was the silver medalist at the Pan American Time Trial Championships, and qualified Canada a second spot in the time trial at the upcoming Summer Olympics.

Tara Whitten

Annie Forman-Mackey (24, Kingston ON) -  a staple member of Canada's world class women's team pursuit squad.  She started the year with a silver medal at Track Nationals and went on to take home two medals at the Pan American Track Championships in Chile.

Annie Forman-Mackey

Ellen Watters (27, Sussex NB) - last season Ellen's attacking style took her to over a dozen victories, including the GC at the Killington Stage Race.

Ellen Watters

Emily Flynn (22, Ottawa, ON) - the 2014 Provincial Criterium Champion, Emily finished 12th in the UCI Tour of Delta.

Emily Flynn

Ariane Bonhomme (20, Gatineau, QC) - the Quebec Track champion has recently been named to the Cycling Canada NextGen national team program.

Ariane Bonhomme

Amélie Bruneau (21, Laval, QC) - plays a key support role for the team last season, and was instrumental in the team's success over the course of the season.

Veteran Carrie Cartmill returns to the team after a season racing the American Calendar.  Cartmill is one of the best climbers in North America.

Carrie Cartmill (far right)

New signing Miriam Brouwer (23, Burlington ON) joins the team this year after an impressive season that saw her win both the Ontario Road Race Championships and the Ontario Cyclo-cross Championships.

Liah Harvie (19, Banff Alberta) - had a superb Junior career with a 10th place in the 2015 Junior TT Worlds, 19th in the 2014 Junior Road Worlds, plus National Junior Road and Criterium Championship titles.  Harvie is set to turn some heads as a first year senior.

Liah Harvie

Director Sportive - Jenny Trew
Jenny Trew coaches, manages and mentors the women on the team.  Originally from Calgary, Jenny retired from the sport in 2012 after a career that saw her race for the Canadian National team in Europe and North America.  Jenny balances coaching with being the mom of a rambunctious two year old boy. Jenny loves yoga, knitting and 90's boy bands.

The Cyclery
Is Ottawa's premier bicycle shop, with a wide range of bikes and framesets, as well as skis in the winter time.  The store is Ottawa's only Shimano Authorized Service Centre and perennially is voted as one of the Canadian Cyclist Best Shops in Canada.

The Team would like to thank their 2015 sponsors and welcome the following generous sponsors for 2016:

Opus Bikes
Volvo Ottawa
Biemme America Clothing
Smith Optics
Look pedals
Continental Tires
Stages Cycling Power meters
Giro shoes, helmets and gloves
Xact Nutrution
Killens Reid Physiotherapy Clinic

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