Dieppe Canada Cup presented by Mike’s Bike Shop

With over 350 racers descending upon Dieppe last weekend, it is easy to say that the event was a success – even if you just look at the number of attendees. We know though that even more people came out just to watch as spectating a race of this caliber can be just as fun as racing in it. Who brought the cowbell!?

We caught up with some of the folks that attended to get the run-down to share the stoke for this event with you!

Vanessa Thomsen, Fitworks Team Member and Mountain Bike Atlantic Advocate

it was the first time I was able to compete at a national event on my home trails!

This past weekend, I competed at the inaugural Coupe Canada Cup Dieppe. It wasn’t my first Canada Cup; however, it was the first time I was able to compete at a national event on my home trails!

Vanessa Thomsen (Photo Credit: Don Ricker, Skylight Photo)

Spectators from all over added to the atmosphere as they cheered for locals and riders from across Canada. This made it so much more special and motivated me to push even harder!

Saturday was the main event, the XCO featuring a newly revamped course that impressed visitors and spectators alike. It was challenging even without major elevation changes as we had few opportunities to recover.

The Dieppe Rotary Park venue was great. A huge thanks to the organizing committee and volunteers that made sure that racers had everything they needed. From close parking, a team tent area, a stage and dynamic announcer, a bike wash station, washrooms and much more!

Young racers even had the chance to meet up with Elite Riders including Andrew L’Esperance, Raphael Auclair, Félix Belhumeur and Philippe St-Laurent!

Andrew L’Esperance and Raphael Auclair at the Fitworks pb. Cannondale Jump (Photo Credit: Don Ricker, Skylight Photo)

Overall, the event was great and feedback from participants was incredibly positive! I can’t wait until next year as it promises to be even bigger and better!

Terry Tomlin, Racer and OG of MTB on the East Coast

I’ve been to more than my share of events over the years but I want to extend a huge Thank You to the Organizing Committee’s vision ( Luc A!), the tireless volunteers, the sponsors (looking at you Mike’s Bike Shop for really stepping up!) and the City of Dieppe for creating one of the best events I’ve ever attended. EVER!

creating one of the best events I’ve ever attended. EVER!

Races started on time (to the minute!), results were live online during the event, riders enjoyed a fun feature-filled course, the venue offered easy parking, a splash park/playground, clean washrooms, bike wash, plentiful free drinking water, a grandstand podium stage, an MC announcing all races/awards and a beer garden complete with local food and drink options.

Nearly 400 racers and their support teams from across Canada all creating and savouring the awesome of mtb’ing

Luc Arseneau, Organizer of the Dieppe Canada Cup

It wasn’t our first major event in Dieppe, but we knew we had to do something special on the mountain bike front. From the bidding package to the delivery of the final results; the challenge was a bit higher than usual.

we knew we were building something solid

Along the way, with every dirt shovel and document, we knew we were building something solid, and especially that we had an incredible team around to table to do so. But it’s always hard to evaluate until you’ve seen the final product.

Today, we can say we are very proud of our organization. Every single volunteer and partner contributed to this success, and for that, we want to thank each and everyone of them. But even with all the praise, the biggest challenge now lays just in front of us… we need to surpass these successes. We need to be better.