Ontario Cup treks through Buckwallow

GRAVENHURST - The sixth stage of the summer-long, seven-race Plastiglas Ontario Mountain Bike Cup series tore through the trails of Buckwallow Cycling Centre this past weekend.
Well more than 100 cyclists from across the province in various age groups and skill levels pit their mettle against one course of the series that comes with a tough and rough reputation.
“This is a flatter section race. In Niagara we have a lot of trails with elevations and lots of hills to climb,” explained Camille Waldeck, a young racer from the St. Catherines area who races in the female minime category for girls 13-14. She has raced in the Ontario Cup for the last two-plus seasons. “Here (Buckwallow) it’s a lot more technical and you really have to push yourself through; you certainly get a good workout here.”
Racers arrived at the centre Friday and many were able to take practice runs through the course in preparation for the Sunday, Aug. 12 races, but come Saturday, heavy rains prevented many from doing the same. Waldeck said she had a chance to bike the course Friday, but Saturday’s heavy rains kept racers off the course other than a walk-through.
She said it meant Sunday’s race was an extra challenge, “but it turned out great conditions and not too hot,” she said.
Marie Pierre Nadon of Timmins won her cadet-expert female category, leaving her in a good position to win the series at its conclusion later in September. She said of the circuit, Buckwallow is among her favourite challenges.
“It’s such a fun course, so very technical,” she said. “I tell my teammates all the time that if you spend a week at Buckwallow training, everything else will just feel easier after that.”
In the Elite Women category, Mikaela Kofman of SCOTT 3Rox Racing claimed first; Cayley Brooks (Trek Canada) won second and Heather Gray (Cycle Solutions/Angry Johnny’s CC) took third.
In the Elite Men’s section, Andrew Watson (Norco Factory Team) took first, Peter Glassford (Trek Canada) second and local rider Ryan Atkins (Muskoka Cycling Club) took third overall.
Other local winners include Griffin Lambert of Bracebridge, first in the Cadet Sport division for 15-16-year-olds; Darren Lambert of Bracebridge took third in the beginner 17-years-plus division; Peter Demos, Muskoka Cycling Club, second in the Master Sport (40-44-year-olds) category; and Meagen Scheld of Bracebridge took first in the Senior Sport (19-29) female category. For complete race results, please see chicoracing.com/results/419.html.

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