With the Ontario Cup Track Season on the go and 2023 fast approaching, the outdoor season will arrive before we know it. Starting in 2023, Ontario Cycling will be running the Ontario Cup Road Series and the MTB Series. The decision to take back the Ontario Cup Series, was a strategic one, based on athlete development pathways but also ensuring that each event followed a consistent framework and experience for all participants. “Our decision to take ownership of our Ontario Cups & Provincial Championships, and working collaboratively with key cycling community stakeholders, is one we couldn’t be more excited for.” said Pam Julian, President & CEO of Ontario Cycling, “We are looking forward to a fun and challenging 2023 season featuring some new locations but also bringing back venues, some of which haven’t been on the calendar for a number of seasons.”
Road Super Provincials closing road season with a triple header in North Bay
The Ontario Cup (OCup) series will kick into high gear during the summer starting in May. For the 2023 OCup Road Series, Ontario Cycling is pleased to announce their partnership with Performance Driven Events with three OCups & the Provincial Championships on the calendar. Of the three Ontario Cups (Bradford, Baltimore and Lansdowne), two are brand new courses for the 2023 Season.
Greg Rawson couldn’t be happier: “The strategic decision to go with one series organizer for 2023 will elevate the series’ quality. This will allow my company to focus on the sporting aspects of the events while Ontario Cycling will be able to elevate the rider experience for the 2023 series. The goal for next year is quality over quantity, in addition to adding a few new racing circuits to the series”.
The Provincial Championships will return to North Bay as a triple header super provincial event on the August long weekend. Building on their success from our 2022 Provincial Championships at the same location, OC will create an event full of racing, community building and grassroots clinics. Cyclists from across the province will race for the title, starting with the Provincial Individual Time Trial on Friday [1], followed by the Provincial Criterium on Saturday and the Provincial Road Race on Sunday. “We are excited to be going back to North Bay” continues Pam Julian. “The community was so welcoming and North Bay is truly a beautiful part of our province. We have some exciting new additions to the event, adding to the overall experience for participants and their families.”
Ontario Cup Mountain Bike Series
For the 2023 Ontario Cup MTB series & Provincial Championships, Ontario Cycling will be partnering with local cycling clubs, municipalities, and mountain bike venues around the province. The OCup series will consist of three mountain bike events (Mulmer, Oro-Medonte, Sudbury), with two returning to the series for 2023 after a multi-year hiatus.
The MTB XCO Provincial Championships will also return to a previous location close to Ontario Cycling’s Headquarters. Kelso Conservation Area will be the ground for the 2023 Provincial Championships. The old limestone quarry area has been transformed into a beautiful natural area, nestled into the escarpment, with an extensive network of bike trails that allow riders to push their limits and reach new heights on the newly designed trail.
Darren De Ruiter, Ontario Cycling’s Off-Road Competition & Events Organizer, is excited to kick off the new strategic direction of Ontario Cycling’s premier race series. “Producing the OCup events in-house and working with local cycling community partners to create each stop of the series in 2023 will elevate the series in several ways. This will allow us to focus on growing the community aspects of these events by offering development opportunities and additional features to create a cycling festival atmosphere. We strive to bring events of quality over quantity to our members, executing on the vision of creating the best events in the province possible for riders while returning to some of the fan favourite venues of the past.”
[1] To be confirmed
Ontario Cup Road Series
May 14th 2023
Bradford, ON
Henderson Classic Road Race
June 10th 2023
Baltimore, ON
Northumberland Classic Road Race
July 8th 2023
Lansdowne, ON
Lansdowne Road Race
August 4th to 6th 2023
North Bay, ON
Individual Time Trial [1], Criterium & Road Race
Performance Driven Events
Greg Rawson, President and Founder of Performance Driven Events has extensive experience in program management, risk management and event hosting within the sport and recreation sector. Since graduating from Durham College with a degree in Sports Management, Greg has managed over 700 sporting events. His great love for cycling and passion for personal fitness fuel every event he organizes.
Ontario Cup Mountain Bike Series
May 7th 2023
Mulmur, ON
June 4th 2023
Oro-Medonte, ON
Hardwood Ski & Bike p/b Pulse Racing
July 30th 2023
Sudbury, ON
August 27th 2023
Milton, ON
