This weekend, 649 BMX riders, aged between 3 and 50, gathered at the Coteau-du-Lac track for the Canadian Championships. For the very first time, the Vaudreuil-Soulanges BMX club hosted this major competition, which saw four of its members climb to the top of the podium. 

"We're very pleased. The comments we've received, from other clubs, stewards and visitors alike, are all very positive. It's a lot of work, but it was worth it. It was a great experience. The weather was on our side. The weather was fine and very hot, but fortunately there was no rain on the track during the competitions, only at the end of the day. We were also spared any accidents. What's more, four of our riders won their finals and went home with gold medals and a place at the 2025 World Championships to be held in Denmark in July", explains Valérie Roy, a member of the organizing committee in the wake of this major event. 

Justin Lafleur, who raced in the 14-year-old category, Talie Fournier, who started in the 17-24 category, Malakai Bergeron, who competed in the 13-14 category, and Innes Chatterton, who raced alongside the other 12-year-old participants, all finished on top of the podium on Saturday, July 6. 

Also worthy of mention were the excellent performances of Christophe Marion, who took second place in the 50+ final, and Mélodie Raby, who finished third in the 17-24 category. 

The following day, Sunday, July 7, the Canada Cup took to the course, featuring some 460 racers from across the country. While it's too early to put a figure on the economic spin-offs generated by the event, they can be estimated in the thousands of dollars. 

"At least 71 families stayed in recreational vehicles parked on the grounds of an old campground nearby. The City of Coteau-du-Lac agreed to let us house them there for the duration of the event. There were only five sites available on site. The other competitors stayed in hotels in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield and Vaudreuil-Dorion," she explains. 

In closing, Ms. Roy wishes to underline the contribution of volunteers to this major event. "Without them, we wouldn't have been able to hold the event. Their contribution was essential, both in setting up and dismantling the site, and during the activity itself. Thank you," she concludes.