Five days after the heat-shortened Canadian Gravel Championships were cancelled, Cycling Canada confirmed on Friday via email to participants, and reviewed by Gran Fondo Daily News, that only results from the shorter-distance categories would stand.
In a joint statement with race organisers, Cycling Canada said it had reviewed the available timing data and would recognise results only in categories that raced the shorter 52km and 75km routes, where the data was deemed reliable. Categories on the full 123km course, including the elite fields, will not receive official results or national titles.
The championships, held within the Burnt Bridge Classic Gravel Fondo near Duncan, British Columbia, on Sunday 14 June 2026, were called off as temperatures climbed toward 40°C. Organiser Panache Cycling Sports cited overwhelmed medical resources on remote sections of the course as the reason for the cancellation. No serious injuries were reported.
The decision means former WorldTour professional and three-time Olympian Mike Woods, who was first to reach the finish ahead of Ben Perry and Andrew L’Esperance in the elite men’s race, will not be recognised as national champion. Kaitlyn Rauwerda, who was leading the elite women’s race when it was halted, faces the same outcome. Several Masters categories were also excluded despite many riders completing the full 123km course.
The decision to cancel the event and not award national titles did not sit well with Woods — and many others competitors.
“I suffered like a dog for this. I traveled half way around the world for this. And, although Cycling Canada officials have since said they will find a solution for this, I received no medal, no jersey, and I have no results, and that is lame.”
Woods made the comments in a post on Substack.
Cycling Canada said it is now working with the UCI to determine how the unresolved results will affect qualification for the 2026 Gravel World Championships taking place in Australia in October.
Photo Credit: Michael Woods
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