Ontario Cycling Announces 2024 Award Recipients
Ontario Cycling annually recognizes its top athletes and community leaders who have demonstrated their passion and commitment to the sport of cycling. With some of the most dedicated people (both on and off the bike) across the country, it is our honour to recognize these individuals.
2024 was another amazing season full of accomplishment for Ontario cyclists. From provincial success to podiums on the world stage, to representing Canada at the 2024 Olympic Games, our Athletes of the Year did it all this past season.
We are happy to recognize this year’s OC Athletes of the Year:
Athletes of the Year
Recipient: Jayden McMullen
Highlight of 2024: 1st RR – National Road Championships
Message from Jayden:
“I want to thank Ontario Cycling for this recognition. Its really an honour, especially with so much talent in our province! This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of many people, and I’m grateful for all of the support I’ve received in my years of cycling. I’d like to thank Rob Good, the London Centennial Wheelers, Chris Pollett, Amy White, Rob Holmgren, the Stimulus Trek Team, Trek Store London, Matt Newman, Aidan Howse, Paul Dean, Dave Jack, Nigel Ellsay, Richard Wooles, Michael VanDenHam, and Petrina Tulissi. Lastly, I’d like to give a huge thank you to my coach, Jeff Schiller. He’s coached me, and guided me over the last couple of years. He has been so patient and believed in me. With his support, I was able to reach my best physical and mental potential and won two national championships. I greatly appreciate the time he’s invested in me, and the knowledge has shared with me. I look forward to my first year as a U23, with a new team in 2025!”
Photo Credits: Canadian Cyclist
Recipient: Derek Gee
Club/Team: ISRAEL – PREMIER TECH
Highlight of 2024: 9th in GC – Tour de France
Photo Credits: Canadian Cyclist
Recipient: Alexandra Fangeat
Club/Team: KW Cycling Academy
Highlight of 2024: 1st in Pursuit, Scratch, Points – National Track Championships
Message from Alexandra:
“I would like to thank everyone who has helped me develop in the past few years and helped me get to where I am!”
Recipient: Dylan Bibic
Club/Team: Israel – Premier Tech Academy
Highlight of 2024: 3rd Elimination Race – World Track Championships
Message from Dylan:
“Thanks so much to all of the people who support me along the way, I really appreciate it.”
Photo Credits: Bojan Uzicanin
Recipient: Jayden McMullen
Highlight of 2024: 1st – National Cyclo-Cross Championships (Nov 2023)
Message from Jayden:
“I want to thank Ontario Cycling for this recognition. Its really an honour, especially with so much talent in our province! This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of many people, and I’m grateful for all of the support I’ve received in my years of cycling. I’d like to thank Rob Good, the London Centennial Wheelers, Chris Pollett, Amy White, Rob Holmgren, the Stimulus Trek Team, Trek Store London, Matt Newman, Aidan Howse, Paul Dean, Dave Jack, Nigel Ellsay, Richard Wooles, Michael VanDenHam, and Petrina Tulissi. Lastly, I’d like to give a huge thank you to my coach, Jeff Schiller. He’s coached me, and guided me over the last couple of years. He has been so patient and believed in me. With his support, I was able to reach my best physical and mental potential and won two national championships. I greatly appreciate the time he’s invested in me, and the knowledge has shared with me. I look forward to my first year as a U23, with a new team in 2025!”
Photo Credits: Ethan Glading
Recipient: Isabella Holmgren
Club/Team: Lidl-Trek
Highlight of 2024: 4th World Cyclo-Cross Championships
Message from Isabella:
“I would like to thank my friends and family who not only support me, but motivate me to be a better cyclist and person. I would also like to recognize the OCA for being a pillar in my development as an athlete.”
Photo Credit: Dominique Powers
Recipient: Elly Moore
Club/Team: Collingwood Collective (MTB/CX), Milton Revolution (Road)
Highlight of 2024: 1st XCC & 3rd XCO – National Mountain Bike Championships
Message from Elly:
“I would like to thank my parents, teams, coaches, teammates and sponsors. Thank you to everyone involved in such a great season!”
Photo Credits: Derek Hauber
Recipient: Isabella Holmgren
Club/Team: Lidl-Trek
Highlight of 2024: 1st World Mountain Bike Championships
Message from Isabella:
“I would like to thank my friends and family who not only support me, but motivate me to be a better cyclist and person. I would also like to recognize the OCA for being a pillar in my development as an athlete.”
Photo Credits: Ross Bell
Recipient: Zakary Kaiser
Highlight of 2024: 3rd in 16 Expert – BMX World Championships
Message from Zakary:
“This is an honour and I really appreciate the recogntion. A lot of people have helped me out so I would like to thank the following: my BMX Coach Donovan Long, my gym coach Warren Lindsey, my sponsors, and OC for the financial support. Lastly I would like to thank my mom and dad for all their support and my brother Jakob for training with me. “
Photo Credits: Nico van Dartel
Recipient: Joey Desjardins
Club/Team: Hand Cycling Club of Canada
Highlight of 2024: 1st TT & RR National Road Championships
Message from Joey:
“As I close this incredible chapter of my journey as a competitive handcyclist, I want to extend my deepest thanks to everyone who made this season—and my entire career—so remarkable. To my coaches, family, and support staff: you’ve been my foundation, my motivators, and my unwavering support. This season has been my best yet, and I couldn’t have done it without your guidance, belief, and dedication. Thank you for being by my side through every challenge and every triumph. Though my competitive days are ending, my passion for this sport and the community it’s given me will continue forever. Here’s to the memories we’ve made and the inspiration we’ll continue to share. “
Photo Credits: Cycling Canada
OC also acknowledges the incredible sacrifices and dedication that some individuals put into further advancing the sport in the province. Without the passion and tireless efforts of these individuals, cycling would not be where it is today.
Volunteer of the Year
Recipient: David Ellyatt
Club/Team: Attack Racing
Highlight of 2024: Organized multiple youth-focused events in 2024
Message from David:
“I am honored to receive this award and want to thank Sara Mann, who helped me so much last year. Together, we hosted numerous youth-focused events with the fabulous staff at the OC so that Ontario’s cycling youth would have events to help them achieve their full potential in life and sport.”
Commissaire of the Year
Recipient: Kevin Scheerer
Club/Team: Waterloo Cycling Club
Highlight of 2024: Officiated numerous events in 2024
Message from Kevin:
“First and foremost I wish to thank ALL of Ontario Cycling and Cycling Canada — Courtney, Chris, and all staff for making our jobs as Officials easier. I know it’s a thankless job that doesn’t get enough appreciation, but you folks need to know that I truly value your contributions. I want to thank all of my colleagues for their recognition… I know I have worked hard, but that is how I was raised… to serve others and always do my utmost. It has been a challenging journey, coming from almost zero knowledge of bike racing, to being considered one of the province’s best officials in 8 years… it has been difficult, yet rewarding. I appreciate all that my colleagues have taught me, and lead the way to excellence. Without their continued support, I would not be where I am today. I wish to thank my amazing and supportive wife… her long suffering and unfailing support has been invaluable in allowing me the freedom to pursue my passions. Without her none of this would be possible. I did my best on every race I was an official. I hope I used my skills in a fair and reasonable way. I can honestly say it was challenging, but in a good way. I have grown as an official this past year and now look forward to continuing my journey and trying for my Canadian National Level commissaire. Let the learning continue!!!”
Coach Recognition Award
Recipient: Rob Holmgren
Club/Team: Stimulus Next Wave
Highlight of 2024: Coach of World Champion and multiple athletes at Paris Olympics
Message from Rob:
“Thank yous..so many! Lisa Holmgren, Andrew Doble, Mike Suraci, Marc Ackert, 94Forward, all of my athletes and their families and our many sponsors.”
Last but not least, we would like to recognize this year’s Ryan Victor Griffin Award recipient.
This award is given to a MTB athlete under 19 years old who consistently displays all the characteristics that Ryan showed throughout his life: dedication, hard work, consistently going above and beyond expectations, always willing to step in and help others and give back, as well as showing perseverance and resiliency. The recipient also will have demonstrated a desire to actively participate and support as many Ontario events as possible.
Ontario Cycling and the Ryan Victor Griffin Award Selection Committee are proud to recognize this year’s recipient:
Ryan Victor Griffin Award
Recipient: Blake Davis
Club/Team: Peterborough Cycling Club
Highlight of 2024: 1st U17 Sport – OCup Mountain Bike Series
Message From Blake:
“I am super honoured to receive the Ryan Victor Griffin Award. Huge thanks to my coaches, Rebecca Christensen and Jeff Faulds, for all the support and guidance—you’ve made a massive impact on my riding. Big shoutout to the PCC Dirt Squad coaches and crew for pushing me to improve. And, of course, thanks to my parents for driving me to the races and always supporting me—and to my brother (Hudson Davis) for cheering me on and keeping things fun!”
Photo Credits: Kate Davis
Congratulations to all of this year's recipients!
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