Velo NB has taken a significant step toward strengthening athlete development in the province with the launch of its Performance Program in 2026. The initiative designed to expand training opportunities, competition exposure, and talent identification for XC athletes.

The initiative, announced this winter, marks a strategic advancement in Velo NB’s development and performance goals. By building structured support the program aims to close development gaps and create a more cohesive pipeline for riders progressing from provincial events to National competition.

The 2026 Quebec Project was focused on increasing access to National competitions, introducing a structured training camp environment, and learnings both on and off the bike.

Velo NB Performance and Development Coordinator Vanessa Thomsen highlighted that many promising athletes in New Brunswick often lack access to advanced competition, a challenge the project directly addresses.

“This project is about meeting athletes where they are and giving them the tools to progress at a National Level,” said Vanessa Thomsen. “We’re not replacing existing systems, we’re complementing them, and hope to bring some learnings back with us to New Brunswick.”

Quebec was identified as a natural expansion point due to its strong cycling events, diverse competition, and proximity to New Brunswick. Events such as Sherbrooke, and Baie-Saint-Paul offer varied environments ideal for developing well-rounded competitors.

“The Canada Cup events made this a smart extension of our program,” Thomsen noted. “Athletes can train locally but still compete in the high-performance events of Quebec, and prepare themselves for National Events in Dieppe, and PEI.”

“I was wondering how many people I would be racing against,” said athlete Kamile Doiron. “I knew we would have more then other events, so I was excited to see new people. It was kind of hard because of the start I was very far in the back, but it was fun to race.”

Our New Brunswick athletes enjoyed breakthrough performances during the Quebec Project. In U17, Kamile Doiron, Janie Belanger and Felix Boucher battled against competition from around the world, garnering career bests, and top 15 finishes.

“It was tough, but I was really happy when it was all over,” said Janie Belanger after the events in Sherbrooke. “but it was also a feeling of achievement. I didn’t worry about the other people; it didn’t make a difference for myself because I was racing against myself.”

Jayden Landry, Will Banfield, and Rein Jones all raced together in the Junior Mens categories. For Landry and Banfield it was their first Canada Cups as Junior Men. Against strong competition from Canadian and international competitors all three performed and gained valuable experience. The highlight being top 25 finished for all three in the short track events in Baie Saint Paul.

The Quebec Project is being viewed as a pilot phase with potential for expansion. Velo NB will look to replicate the model in other disciplines lacking consistent access to performance cycling support and help athletes to transition more seamlessly from local racing to national and international stages.

“This is about creating opportunity,” said Thomsen. “When athletes have more resources around them, they can achieve far more than they might on their own.”