Henry's World Cup Mission

Hi Everyone: for those of you who don't know me, I am an 18-year-old (UCI JR Expert) mountain bike racer hailing from Southern Vancouver Island. Early this week, I received exciting news from Cycling Canada. I have been selected to represent our country on the National Team and to compete in three upcoming World Cup downhill races: WC#5 in Pal Arinsal, Andorra, WC#6 in Loudenvielle, France, and WC#7 in Les Gets, France. I couldn’t be more thrilled and ready to race! This is a dream come true. I got a taste of World Cup racing when competing at Mont Sainte Anne in 2022 to 16th place in finals and as part of Cycling Canada's European Project this Spring where I raced to 27th in Lenzerheide and 28th in Leogang with some unfortunate mechanicals and incidents. I gained significant experience that I am ready to apply in these upcoming World Cup races.

The last-minute nature of the notification process means that we face increased costs for travel and accommodation. While we saved throughout the year hoping this selection would happen, we are still falling short financially after an already packed race season. I am asking for your help to contribute directly towards air travel costs, athlete insurance, accommodation, food, and bike maintenance and repair costs (these World Cup tracks take a toll on bikes). I am participating in these races as a privateer on the National Team and I am responsible for all my own arrangements. It’s tough out there, but that is the nature of funding for downhill mountain biking in Canada at this point. Any support you can offer will get me closer to realizing these World Cup goals and is deeply appreciated.

As a way to give back and to say thank you to the awesome Island mountain biking community, I will be coaching and sharing alongside my Nolan Riding counterparts at a free kids mountain biking event at Cecelia Ravine Bike Park on October 1, 2023. Sign-up is through the Burnside Gorge Community Association and Eventbrite. I will add registration links at a later date. Bring your kids and have some fun at Cecelia Ravine where it all began for me! Bike shops will be on hand for bike maintenance support and prizes!

I appreciate you taking the time to read my appeal. I will do my utmost to represent our community, mountain biking on the Island, and all the people who have supported me in so many ways along my racing journey.

Let's Go Get Em'!

Gratefully Yours,

Henry