By: H&R Block Pro Cycling Team
Vancouver, BC – The H&R Block Pro Cycling Team is pleased to welcome a new roster of athletes for the 2016 season.
Joel TAYLOR, CAN U23
Joining us from the Trek Red Truck Racing Team is Joel Taylor of Victoria, BC. Throughout his childhood, Joel took part in a variety of sports including competitive swimming, cross-country running and soccer. It was not until Joel was 13, that he discovered his true passion of cycling.
“I am super excited to be joining the H&R Block Pro Cycling Team for the 2016 season. I am looking forward to seeing what progress I can make with my own cycling career while supporting my teammates to accomplish the teams goals and objectives. Thank you to my previous team, Trek Red Truck Racing, who were so supportive in my development to this point.”Team Director Mark Ernsting states, “Joel will be a first year U23 rider who has shown a lot of promise, representing Canada at a variety of events including this year’s U19 World Championships in Richmond, VA. We are looking forward to developing Joel through his initial U23 transition and seeing how far he can go in the sport.”
Join us in welcoming Joel to the team and stay tuned for further new rider announcements.
The H&R Block Pro Cycling Team is pleased to welcome Jack Burke, a talented young rider now residing in Squamish, BC.
“After a career of working towards becoming a professional athlete, I’m excited to make the jump and be racing for the H&R Block Pro Cycling Team. My longterm goals as an athlete have always been set on the World and Olympic stage. Now being a part of Canada’s premier professional cycling team is a big step towards those end goals I’ve yet to achieve in my career,” says Burke.As a rider who showed promise during his junior years, Burke will be a strong addition to the team. “I am excited to welcome Jack to the program as he has a strong all-around skill set.
Jack BURKE, CAN U23
The team will be a great platform for him to continue to grow in the sport and be one of the next riders to represent Canada at next year’s U23 World Championships” says Team Director, Mark Ernsting.
Burke also explains, “I’m anxious to start a long and hopefully very successful season with the team, but I am just as excited for the fall and winter months of preparation for the extravagant team goals planned for the coming season. I couldn’t be more grateful to be working with such an elite organization from the team’s staff and riders to having access to the highest quality equipment available supplied to us by our incredible sponsors.”
The team looks to top amateur programs across Canada that cultivate and develop young talent. We are very grateful for the work that NCCH has done over the years preparing such riders to be ready to represent our team at the top North American races” says Ernsting.
“The National Cycling Centre Hamilton is delighted that Jack Burke will be joining the M1 Project in 2016. Jack joined us as a very raw young junior and his development has been outstanding over the past few years. NCCH will remain connected with Jack as we continue to supply coaching services, and career development advice. We wish Jack and the H&R Block Pro Cycling Team all the best for the 2016 season”, commented Rick Lee, Manager/Head Coach NCCH.
Chris PRENDERGAST, CAN U23
The H&R Block Pro Cycling Team is pleased to welcome Christopher Prendergast to the team!
“I am excited to be on to the H&R Block Pro Cycling team for the upcoming 2016 season. I look forward to competing with Canada’s top Professional U23 squad in the biggest races across North America. When I am with the team, I look forward to being a strong support rider and hope to personally perform well in the one-day races like Philly, Winston Salem, as well as the White Rock and Delta road races,” says Prendergast. After focusing on school last year, Chris will be competing full time next race season with the primary target of making his mark on the U23 Canadian National Time Trial and Road Race Championships, along with the ultimate goal of being selected to represent Canada at the U23 Road World Championships.
Team Director and project leader Mark Ernsting says, “Chris is going to be a good addition to the team due to his time trial and climbing strength. I look forward to working with him and helping him get to the next level in the sport.”
The team would like to thank Team Jef Fuel for working with athletes like Prendergast for many years now. The importance of such teams is immense as it allows U19 and young U23 cyclists to develop to be able to continue on in the professional ranks. Prendergast echoes this statement by saying, “I am really grateful for everything Team Jet Fuel was able to support me with over the 2015 season.”
Speaking from Prendergast’s former Team Jet Fuel, Team Owner David Butler remarks, “Chris had a great season and we knew Chris would likely be making the move to a UCI registered trade team. That’s the goal of our team to give riders opportunities to take the next step in their cycling career.”
Lastly Prendergast mentions, “With the strong product support that is in place by our leading partners, Norco Bicycles, Shimano and Pearl Izumi, along with the teams big financial partners H&R Block, DC Bank and Stikeman Elliot, this is a team that will really elevate the sport in the Canadian Cycling community.”
Welcome to the team Chris Prendergast.
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Live to Play Sports is a proud sponsor of H&R Block Pro Cycling through support with Norco Bicycles, Axiom Cycling Gear, Park Tool, and Kinetic.