The Primeau Vélo Racing team is the largest all-female cycling team in Canada and the only team holding a UCI license in Quebec.

The official launch of the Primeau Vélo Racing team took place on Monday. It is made up of nine senior athletes under the age of 23 from across Canada.

Five Quebecers are part of it: Iris Gabelier from Verchères, Jazmine Lavergne from Gatineau, Coralie Levesque from Boucherville as well as Camille and Pénélope Primeau from Rosemère. The other cyclists are Elizabeth Gin, Lilly Ujfalusi and Isla Walker from British Columbia and Lucy Hempstead from Ontario.

“The team is a real stepping stone to world-class cycling,” said Sporting Director Christine Gillard.

“Being very accessible, it allows us to provide opportunities and experience to young female athletes from here in order to develop them within the sport and show them that they can go even further. Added to this is our primary mission: to promote a healthy balance between cycling, studies, work, family and friends. It is essential for us that our athletes can thrive both in cycling and outside and that they adopt a healthy lifestyle. »

Both the athletes and the members of the sports management are women, which is, according to Ms. Gillard, the main “asset” of the team. “It’s what allows us to develop a sense of belonging as well as teamwork,” she adds.

The squad will take part in 18 races in 2023, including seven in the United States, and will participate in “higher level events such as the Tour of Colombia” at the end of the season.

The Primeau Vélo Racing team also has a development team that includes seven senior athletes and four juniors.