Marie-Pier Lizotte
MTB
Hometown: Edmundston
What part of NB are you from and what club do you ride with? I am from up north west, more precisely Edmundston. I used to ride for my local racing team CVER in Edmundston, but since last year, I am racing as a Sports Experts Edmundston-Grand Falls sponsored athlete.
How did you get started in cycling? I took some courses with a small group of riders and was advised to try joining the local racing team. My primary school physical education teacher is also the head coach (and now my personal coach) of the local racing team and also wanted me to give it a try. Five years later – here we are.
What’s been your proudest cycling moment so far? I was lucky enough to get good results from the get go at the Velo NB races. Even though I have been racing for a year at the national level, and had very good results in provincial races, the provincial Sugarloaf races in Campbelton hold a special place in my heart (my first race ever was there). I was fortunate enough to win there in 2024 with the first Crankworks event in Atlantic Canada, and it was probably my proudest moment so far – the atmosphere was excellent that weekend.
What does it mean to you to represent NB at the Canada Games? It means a lot! Coming from a small province, I can’t wait to have a chance to compete with some of the best in the country. With my teammates, we will work hard to show them that even small provinces can have good results.
What’s your favourite place to ride in NB? There are a lot of wonderful places to ride in NB, but this answer is pretty easy: Edmundston Trails! We have everything, from hills, to roots, to technical stuff, to long descents. Edmundston covers pretty much all there is to have for mountain bike riders (maybe I am a little biased).
What’s one goal you’ve set for yourself at the Games? First, I want to enjoy the experience. Not everyone that gets a chance to represent their province on such a large stage. Even though I want to have fun, I can’t wait to compete. I would also like to have the best performance from my team, to help us get a chance to finish with the best results possible.
Any pre-race rituals or must-have gear? Since I started racing, I always race with yellow socks. It has now become a habit. I also always have a pre-race handshake from my dad. It keeps my mind off the stress that is coming.
Who’s your biggest supporter or role model in cycling? My biggest supporters are by far my parents. They always try to be as encouraging as possible, and they’re always in my corner – for the good and bad performances. For cycling role models, I have a few. I love our Canadian racers, especially Isabella Holmgren and Jenn Jackson. Looking at the improvements that Jenn Jackson had in the last year or two, and she was late in the sport of mountain biking, inspires me like I could do that too. I also love Evie Richards because of her performances on the world stage – plus she has a more muscular build than traditional endurance racers, kind of like me lol.