Canada’s Gravel National Championships were set to play out on Sunday with a strong field and high temperatures, with extra measures put in place before the event in British Columbia began. However, while riders did take off from the start line – and some even forged through to the finish – the event was cancelled while competitors were out on the course.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said event director Jon Watking in a statement put out on the race’s social media. “During the event, an assessment was made that the on-course conditions did not meet the safety standards required for participants to continue racing.”
The championships were set to run over 123km, playing out at the Burnt Bridge Classic in the Cowichan Valley of Vancouver Island, with more than 2,000 metres of elevation gain over a course with a 16km out-and-back route to a circuit with a long climb and technical descents, that elite riders would take on twice.
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The elite men set off first at 9:30 am, followed five minutes later by the elite women and then over the next half an hour, the rest of the categories rolled out.
The lead elite men, namely Michael Woods, Benjamin Perry and Andrew L’Esperance, were, according to a report from Canadian Cycling Magazine, around 35km, mostly downhill, from the line when they received some communications that the race may be cancelled, while it appears the women’s elite racers were in the early part of the second lap.
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“Throughout the day, medical resources began to reach their maximum capacity, creating a vulnerable situation for the remaining riders on the course. Race temperatures exceeding 34°C were recorded, and it became clear that continuing the event would no longer meet the required safety standards for all participants,” said the event organiser.
“We recognize that this decision has caused disappointment, and we understand the time, training, and commitment you have invested in participating in the Canadian Gravel Championships. Panache Cycling Sports is working closely with Cycling Canada to determine the fairest possible outcome regarding results and titles. We expect to provide an update by the end of the week.”
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In the men’s race, it appears that there was a clear-cut leader when the decision was made to call off the race, with Woods having attacked on the major climb of the second lap, leaving Perry and L’Esperance behind.
All three kept rolling, with L’Esperance saying on social media that “About 30 km from the finish, a marshal yelled at us and said the race was cancelled. Ben and I paused for a second, but then chatted and decided to continue racing as the fastest and only way back to the finish line was along the course”.
For retired WorldTour professional Woods, there appears to have been a little more uncertainty, so he didn’t let off the pace or stop digging deep.
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“When the motorbike came up beside me at one point and said, ‘Maybe it’s cancelled’, I thought, ‘OK. Maybe I’m OK with that.” Then he said it was ‘still on’,” Woods said in comments reported by Cycling Canada.
“I went so deep. One of the deepest I’ve ever gone. To now find out that there might be a podium or results? It’s a shame.”
The women’s contenders had been swapping leads, with Haley Smith among the riders at the pointy end along with Lucy Hempstead and Kaitlyn Rauwerda, but it appears that they did pull the pin on a race that was less settled when word of the cancellation came through.
“Yes, it is confusing,” said Smith in an Instagram story, adding that given the 30km of racing ahead, they don’t know how it would have finished.
“Either way, it seems there are no results to be had from yesterday. But at least I still got to go for a bike ride and rip downhill at 75km/hr.”
At the time of writing, Cycling Canada had yet to put out a statement clarifying what the situation meant for the status of the 2026 Canadian gravel title.
Cyclingnews has reached out to the event organisers for additional information.
Full statement from the event organisers:
On Sunday, June 14, the decision was made to cancel the 2026 Canadian Gravel Championships. This decision was not made lightly. During the event, an assessment was made, that the on-course conditions did not meet the safety standards required for participants to continue racing.
Going into the event, additional precautionary measures had been put in place and communicated at the riders/managers meeting based on weather conditions to be expected at that time. These included offering a bottle drop at aid stations, adding more water and ice resources, and introducing a mandatory cut off time at 1:30pm for riders at aid station 2.
As the event progressed, we monitored the situation referencing the Cycling BC Air Quality and Extreme Weather Safety Guidelines. Over the course of the day, medical resources began to reach their capacity, creating a vulnerable situation for riders on course. On course race temperatures of greater than 34+ degrees Celsius were measured, and it became clear that proceeding with the event would not meet the safety standards required for every participant.
We recognize this decision was met with disappointment, and we understand the time, training, and commitment you have invested in participating in the Canadian Gravel Championships event. Panache Cycling Sports is working diligently with Cycling Canada to determine the fairest possible outcome regarding results and titles. We expect to provide an update by the end of the week.
Your safety is, and will always remain, our highest priority. Thank you for your understanding, your patience, and your continued support of gravel racing in Canada. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or Cycling Canada directly for clarification.
Sincerely,
Jon Watkin
Panache Cycling Sports Ltd.