Ontario Cycling is honoured to shine a spotlight on the province’s most outstanding athletes and community leaders, recognizing their passion, dedication, and commitment to the sport. Each year, the organization honours those who have elevated the sport of cycling both on and off the bike, and 2025 is no exception.
Athletes of the Year
Following a remarkable season that saw Ontario cyclists achieve provincial victories, secure podium finishes on the world stage, and proudly represent Canada at international events, this year’s honourees embody the very best of the sport.
Ontario Cycling is proud to announce this year’s Athletes of the Year:
Recipient: Antoine Bergeron
Club/Team: Watersley R + D Cycling Team
Highlight of 2025: 10th during stage 2 of Grand Prix West Bohemia and 2nd at TT Nationals.
Message from Antoine:
I want to thank Ontario Cycling for this amazing recognition. I’m extremely honored to receive this award. None of this would have been possible without the immense support of everyone around me. Most people only see the results and not the continuous effort put in not only by me, but by everyone around me. First, I want to thank my parents for always believing in me and for giving me as many opportunities and experiences as possible. Their support has been constant, and I’m incredibly grateful. I’ve also received a tremendous amount of support from many people over the past few years. To start, I want to thank Ontario Cycling for their fantastic support in both racing and training. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the chance to gain such valuable experience and achieve the success I have. I would also like to thank the Hamilton Foundation 2003. They have been an incredible help to riders across Canada, and I feel extremely fortunate to have benefited from their support this year. This season, I had the opportunity to race for Watersley R + D Cycling, a Netherlands-based team. I want to thank all the staff and my teammates for their support and for making it such an unforgettable experience. Additionally, I’d like to thank the entire Cycling Canada staff and Nigel Ellsay for the amazing opportunities I had while racing in Europe. The experiences I gained there were more than I could have ever imagined. Lastly, I want to thank Kevin Simms. Kevin coached me in my second year U17 and my first year U19. Through Ignite Junior Cycling, he not only gave me the chance to race in Europe but also helped me grow as an individual and realize that I was capable of more than I ever thought possible. I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned into my first year as a U23 and to start this next chapter with my new team. The journey continues, and I can’t wait to see where it leads! Thank you again to everyone who has supported me along the way. I’m truly grateful!
Photo Credits: Pedal Power Photography
Recipient: Isabella Holmgren
Club/Team: Lidl-Trek
Highlight of 2025: There were a lot of good moments during the 2025 season, so it’s hard to choose one as my favourite. One that certainly stands out would be the XCC World Cup in Nove Mesto. My twin sister Ava won this race after some good teamwork and tactics. It was nice to see her win because I witnessed first hand all of the effort and dedication she puts into the sport. The cherry on top of this race was a full Canadian podium with Ella MacPhee!
Message from Isabella: I would like to thank my family, coach, team, staff and everyone who has supported me because I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’m lucky to be surrounded by an amazing group of people that inspire me every day.
Photo Credits: Twilcha
Recipient: Alexandra Fangeat
Club/Team: KW Cycling Academy
Highlight of 2025: The highlight of my season was definitely coming home from worlds with a bronze medal in the points race!
Message from Alexandra:
Receiving this award is greatly appreciated. Even though track racing is an individual sport, it takes a team to get the results I did this year! I first want to thank Coach Rob and Coach Amy at KWCA for providing me with support at all my races over the past years. I also want to thank Coach Dave, Chris, Erin and Kevin from the Ontario track academy for providing me with on track training opportunities. Also thank you to everyone at OC and at Cycling Canada for their support through running the events and the support on projects! Finally I want to thank my parents and my Grandpa for their support in my racing journey. Nothing I have accomplished could’ve happened without everyone’s constant support!!
Photo Credits: Canadian Cyclist
Recipient: Dylan Bibic
Club/Team:Israel – Premier Tech Academy
Message from Dylan:
It has been a year of resilience, so thankful to my parents, my coach and family and friends for all their support. Looking forward to a great 2026!
Photo Credits: Canadian Cyclist
Recipient: Maarten Duif
Highlight of 2025: One personal highlight of my 2025 season was making the Cycling Canada developmental team and earning a spot on national team projects heading into the European World Cups. From a performance standpoint, I’m very proud of the medals I won at the Belgium and Italian World Cups: two silvers and a bronze. Beyond the podium finishes, I faced adversity and injury this season, which challenged me and ultimately taught me a great deal about resilience and helped me grow as an athlete. Capping off the season with a gold medal in the time trial while representing Ontario at nationals was incredibly rewarding. It’s been a truly memorable year, and these results validate the hard work and progress made throughout the season. As I look ahead, I’m energized by the foundation that’s been laid and excited to continue building toward new goals. I’m looking forward to representing Ontario again at the 2026 nationals and to continuing to compete on the World Cup stage.
Message from Maarten:
I’m honoured to be named OC Para Cycling Athlete of the Year 2025. Thank you to my family, coaches, and the Ontario and Canadian cycling communities for your support — this one’s for all of us.
Recipient: Aislin Hallahan
Club/Team: Stimulus Trek
Highlight of 2025: The highlight of my 2025 cyclocross season was racing the European CX World Cups in January and February!
Message from Aislin:
A big thank you to my family, my coaches, Stimulus Trek and both Cycling Canada and Ontario Cycling for supporting me this season both on and off the bike.
Photo Credits: Pedal Power Photography
Recipient: Isabella Holmgren
Club/Team: Lidl-Trek
Highlight of 2025: There were a lot of good moments during the 2025 season, so it’s hard to choose one as my favourite. One that certainly stands out would be the XCC World Cup in Nove Mesto. My twin sister Ava won this race after some good teamwork and tactics. It was nice to see her win because I witnessed first hand all of the effort and dedication she puts into the sport. The cherry on top of this race was a full Canadian podium with Ella MacPhee!
Message from Isabella:
I would like to thank my family, coach, team, staff and everyone who has supported me because I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’m lucky to be surrounded by an amazing group of people that inspire me every day.
Photo Credit: Pedal Power Photography
Recipient: Evan Moore
Club/Team: Ignite Junior Cycling
Highlight of 2025: My season highlight was my trip to Switzerland for the world championships, where I placed 30th.
Message from Evan:
Thank you to everyone who supports me in this amazing sport. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you all. Thank you to my parents for always getting me to races and being my support crew, Neil Gold and Cannondale for my amazing bike, Andrew Watson for getting me ready to race with amazing coaching, Ignite Junior Cycling for opening up opportunities for me, the cycling community in Collingwood for supporting not only my goals, but all the other amazing athletes in the area as well, and Ontario Cycling for providing opportunities for training, racing and support that I am very grateful for.
Photo Credits: Derek Hauber
Recipient: Isabella Holmgren
Club/Team: Lidl-Trek
Highlight of 2025: There were a lot of good moments during the 2025 season, so it’s hard to choose one as my favourite. One that certainly stands out would be the XCC World Cup in Nove Mesto. My twin sister Ava won this race after some good teamwork and tactics. It was nice to see her win because I witnessed first hand all of the effort and dedication she puts into the sport. The cherry on top of this race was a full Canadian podium with Ella MacPhee!
Message from Isabella:
I would like to thank my family, coach, team, staff and everyone who has supported me because I truly wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I’m lucky to be surrounded by an amazing group of people that inspire me every day.
Photo Credits: Ross Bell
Recipient: Zakary Kaiser
Club/Team: Factory Syndyt/LSG
Highlight of 2025: The highlight of my 2025 season was making it to the semi-final in the U23 category at the Argentina World Cup this fall. It was one of the biggest moments of my racing career so far and a huge confidence boost for the rest of my season. I am proud to be finishing the year 7th in UCI ranking for the Junior Elite (17–18) category.
Message from Zakary:
I want to thank my family for their constant support, encouragement, and commitment throughout the season. I want to thank all my sponsors:
@syndytracing
@factorylsg
@racerak_bike
@ericksonsprayfoam
@boxbmx
@kmcchain_bmx
@6dhelmets
@flyracing.bike
@odigrips
@htcomponents
@danscomprace
@nepeanbmx
@enfortfitness
Thank you to my ALL my coaches and teammates for pushing me every day, and to the team staff for always having my back on and off the track. I also want to recognize Ontario Cycling @ontariocycling and Cycling Canada @cyclingcanadaofficial for the opportunities, resources, and guidance that helped make this season possible. I’m grateful for everyone who contributed to my development and success this year.
Photo Credits: Nico van Dartel
Community leader recognition award recipients
Beyond athletic achievement, Ontario Cycling acknowledges the tireless efforts of individuals who have advanced the sport across the province. Their contributions ensure cycling continues to thrive and inspire future generations.
We are delighted to announce this year’s Community Leader Recognition Award Recipients:
Volunteer of the Year
Recipient: Phillip Preston
Club/Team: Echelon Cycling Club
Highlight of 2025: One of the reasons that I am so involved as a volunteer is I have seen young boys and girls start off track racing to then progress to world titles on the track and then riding on UCI Pro Teams gives me satisfaction that I may of helped along the way in their careers
Message from Phillip:
I would like to acknowledge the Ontario Cycling team who I would meet at Track and Road event for each season and how hard they would work to make a good event.
Commissaire of the Year
Recipient: Marie-Eve Potvin
Highlight of 2025: One of the most meaningful parts of my 2025 season has been the journey toward becoming a National and National Elite Commissaire for Track Cycing. It required a lot of preparation, and I’m deeply aware that I could not have achieved it without the support of this community. Beyond that milestone, the true highlight has been the exchanges, challenges, and learnings shared with my peers. I had the chance to work at wonderful events and support a community I care about deeply. Each assignment felt unique and special, and I’m grateful for how much these experiences have helped me grow—both as an official and as a person. What I love most about this role is that you can never fully predict how a day will unfold; you learn to adapt, work as a team, and always put the sport first.
Message from Marie-Eve:
I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone I had the chance to interact with this season—athletes, parents, coaches, and fellow commissaires. I’m especially grateful to the senior officials, local and from other provinces and even abroad, whose support and guidance have played an important role in my learning journey. Your trust, collaboration, and kindness mean a lot, and I’m truly thankful to be part of this community.
Photo Credits: Mathew Chan Tin
Coach Recognition Award
Recipient: Andrew Watson
Club/Team: AWI Cycling
Highlight of 2025: Highlight of this past season was the provincials team relay with our club. Cycling is an individual sport so whenever we get the chance to do a team event it’s always enjoyable. We managed to put in three teams this past August at Horseshoe.
Message from Andrew:
Successfully supporting athletes requires a wide variety of people. I don’t do this alone. From the wonderful group of AWI coaches who support athletes from ages 6-18, to the parents who help with races, tents, cheering on cyclists, to the many volunteers who help make AWI Cycling a welcoming and supportive club, I couldn’t be the coach I am without all of your continued support. I’d like to thank the race organizers and volunteers, the OC and the many folks who help maintain the trails. I’d also like to thank the athletes who do the hard work, they train when it’s raining, they encourage other cyclists and exemplify the best of what sport is all about. Lastly, I’d be remiss not to thank the person or persons who nominated me, big thank you.
Photo Credit: Lisa Schudlo-Samuelson
Community Spirit Award
Recipient: Paul Weigel
Club/Team: KW Cycling Academy
Highlight of 2025: So many good memories from this season — from early-season training down in Brevard, to camping and hanging out with friends after races, to watching the younger riders we’ve coached for years now flying around the course at speeds we couldn’t even imagine, even with an e-bike! This year was packed with growth, great rides, and moments that reminded me why our MTB community is so special.
Message from Paul: I’d like to thank all the clubs, riders, coaches, parents, and everyone who works to make our competitive cycling community more connected, more fun, and more rewarding. In the end, it’s the fun, the personal connections, and the experiences we share that keep us coming back. It’s the strength of our community—and the fun we have together—that pushes us to train harder and race faster.
Ryan Victor Griffin Award
The Ryan Victor Griffin Award is presented annually to a mountain bike athlete under 19 years old who exemplifies the values Ryan embodied: dedication, hard work, resilience, and a commitment to supporting others and the cycling community. The recipient demonstrates not only excellence in competition but also a willingness to give back and participate in Ontario events throughout the season.
Ontario Cycling and the Ryan Victor Griffin Award Selection Committee are proud to recognize this year’s recipient, continuing Ryan’s legacy of perseverance and community spirit.
Recipient: Patrick Luckett
Club/Team: Bakkers Trailblazers
Highlight of 2025: I participated in the Cross Country Provincial race and finished 6th after placing last in my first cross-country MTB race this season at Hardwood.
Message From Patrick:
I would like to thank Osmond and Lauryn and the Bakkers Trailblazers team for all the coaching and support, and my family and community for supporting me through this venture!
Photo Credits: Alain Villeneuve
Ontario Cycling extends heartfelt congratulations to all of the 2025 award recipients. Their achievements and contributions reflect the strength of the cycling community in Ontario and set the stage for another inspiring season ahead.
