Saanich cyclist Erin Attwell leads the way this weekend at the 2015 B.C. Track Cycling Provincials, Aug. 28 to 30 at the Greater Victoria Velodrome Association in Colwood.
Attwell has spent many a day cycling at the velodrome in the past few years and has gained prominence as a top athlete for her age group in road and track cycling.
This weekend B.C.’s top track cyclists will race for the championship jersey in the standard track events – the endurance and sprint omnium, team sprint and team pursuit – as well as a match sprint tournament and the always exciting keirin.
Earlier this month, Attwell, a 16-year-old from Victoria’s Tripleshot Cycling team, won two gold and a bronze (and nearly more) at the Western Canada Summer Games in Wood Buffalo, Alta, the individual time trial and the road race, and was bronze in the overall. She came fifth in the mountain bike cross-country race.
“She’s pretty dominant in her age group, we expect more success at the provincial track championships,” said her coach Lister Farrar.
Attwell is a product of the same Tripleshlot youth team that helped develop 2015 Pan Am Games gold medal winner Evan Carey of Oak Bay. Carey was part of the individual team sprint where three teammates sprint one lap each.
Farrar says Attwell’s biggest competition is likely Maggie Coles Lyster of Maple Ridge.
What makes Attwell special is her willingness to ride at any level, Farrar said.
“You don’t want to take anything for granted but [Attwell] should do well. And she’ll compete on different teams, riding at whatever the level of her teammates is. She’s a very committed teammate.”
Attwell is also focused on the upcoming national track championships in Milton, Ont., Oct. 7.