Courtenay’s Gillian and Nigel Ellsay have been riding this summer with Rally Cycling, an American-based professional team that competes in the Union Cycliste Internationale. The siblings’ latest event was the Colorado Classic, a four-day stage race in Vail and Denver.
Nigel, 24, was responsible for helping the sprinter on his team during the Aug. 16-19 race. The 21-year-old Gillian placed fifth overall among women.
“And I was ranked, in addition, in the Under-23 category to win the best young rider jersey,” she said by email.
Gillian’s strengths are time trial and climbing. Last year at the Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg, she won gold medals in the criterium and the 13-kilometre individual time trial. At the time, she was racing for Colavita/Bianchi, a professional women’s team based in the States. In 2015, she was the U23 national time trial champion.
Nigel started his professional career in 2014 with Silber Pro Cycling, a Canadian outfit. He too excels in the time trial and climbing. Last year at the Canadian Time Trial Championships, he placed second behind Svein Tuft, a former world silver medallist. Another highlight was a 13th overall placing at the 2017 Tour of Utah, a multi-day road race through Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Top 10 results at the Tour of Alberta, the Joe Martin Stage Race and the Cascade Cycling Classic secured Nigel’s spot on the Rally Cycling roster.
In the coming days, Gillian is off to Bromont, Que. for a training camp before flying to France for the Tour de l’Ardèche, a week-long stage race. Nigel will be racing the Quebec World Tour races in Montreal and Quebec City on the second weekend of September.
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