Tour de Bloom says 'no thank you' to UCI designation for elite women but expands to six days, Canadian cyclo-cross team named for Worlds, and more - North American Roundup
The organizers of the Tour de Bloom have had to scale back their 2026 plans to return as a 2.2-level stage race for elite women due to high costs. However, the race will continue for women and men from May 14-19 in the USA's Pacific Northwest, but no UCI points will be awarded.
The Tour de Bloom will expand to six stages over six days for the elite categories. An omnium format comprising four stages on four days will be held for amateurs.
Marlies Mejias turns to crowdfunding to earn spot on Cuban team at LA Olympic Games
Cuban-born Marlies Mejías Garcia is already a two-time Olympian for her country and wants to make a third appearance in 2028 in Los Angeles, where the Games will be held in the US, where she now lives and races with the Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY28 team.
She planned to earn points towards Olympic qualification at this year's UCI Track Cycling World Championships, but learned that the Cuban Cycling Federation would not support her participation in any track events this year due to a lack of funding.
Since Mejías Garcia is a salaried athlete on the US-based Continental women’s team, the travel costs, event fees, track-specific equipment, and select training camps fall outside the team's budget, too.
An accomplished road and track rider with 21 victories last year, Mejías Garcia is looking to raise $25,000 with a GoFundMe campaign to use for a three-year calendar of track competitions, including World Cups, Pan-American Championships, and World Championships, to earn a spot on the Cuban Olympic Team.
"Asking for help isn't easy for me, but this journey is bigger than fear or pride. Competing in the Pan American and World Cups is a crucial step toward my lifelong dream: earning a place at the Olympic Games," Mejías wrote on her fundraiser home page. "Your support—whether through a donation, sharing this page, or simply believing in me—means more than I can put into words."
Just days into launching the campaign, Mejías has raised more than $6,000.
Jim Brown and Noah Granigan join L39ION of Los Angeles men's squad
Jim Brown, Cory Lockwood, and Noah Granigan have been added to L39ION of Los Angeles in 2026, bringing the roster to 11 riders.
In November of last year, L39ION co-founder Justin Williams confirmed that the men's squad would return to the Continental level after racing as a club team in the US the past two seasons. He also disclosed that the roster would include four-time USPro medalist Tyler Williams and four riders from Belize - himself, brother Cory Williams, Jyven Gonzalez, and 19-year-old talent Jaylen Briceno.
Returning to the squad are Canadians Daniel Kalichman and Alex Cowan, in his sixth season on the team, and the USA's Jason Paez.
Among the three newest signings, British sprinter Brown will play a big role in the team's focus on one-day races. He rode for the Golden State Blazers last year, winning a stage at the Redlands Bicycle Classic and earning podiums in the Athens Twilight Criterium, Capitol Cup, Clarendon Cup, and Harlem Skyscraper Classic.
Lockwood and Granigan rode for the Blazers, a team owned by Williams Development Racing that closed last year. Lockwood won a stage at Valley of the Sun and was eighth in the time trial at USPro Road Nationals. In 2022, Granigan won the points classification at the Joe Martin Stage Race and the mountains classification at the UCI 2.Pro Tour of Turkey while with the Wildlife Generation squad.
Cyclo-cross Worlds U23 bronze medalist Rafaelle Carrier leads 14-rider Canadian team at Hulst
Rafaëlle Carrier returns with Team Canada to the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships looking for a medal in the U23 women's division after a bronze-medal finish in last year's junior race. She will be joined by Nico Knoll and Dorothée Perron in the U23 race.
A total of 14 athletes were selected to compete in Hulst, Netherlands, at Worlds - seven women and seven men - with competitions set to take place from January 30 to February 1, 2026.
"We're pleased to bring another strong Canadian team to the World Championships in Hulst. From athletes competing in their first Worlds to established medal contenders, this group reflects the depth and progress of Canadian cyclocross," Michael Van Den Ham, Cycling Canada's cyclo-cross lead, said.
"Racing at the World Championships is a powerful moment in an athlete's development, and we're proud to support them as they represent Canada on the world stage."
The Team Relay begins competitions on Friday, with Canada represented by Knoll, Alexa Haviland, Sidney McGill, Emilien Belzile, Rhett Bates, and Cody Scott.
Cycling Canada team for UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
Junior Women
Alexa Haviland
Claire MacKinnon
U23 Women
Rafaëlle Carrier
Nico Knoll
Dorothée Perron
Elite Women
Maghalie Rochette
Sidney McGill
Junior Men
Émilien Belzile
Sagan Goertz
Farland Lamont
Grayson Franks
U23 Men
Rhett Bates
Mathis Duval
Elite Men
Cody Scott
