2014 Canadian National NO.1 Champions

Filed under General on October 16, 2014 | Comment(s)

WORDS: TRACY STEPHENS

IMAGES: LEE CEJAVO and Internet

The 2014 Canadian Grand Nationals are a wrap, and while for some it was the agony of defeat as titles came down to last corner moves, others rejoiced in their accomplishments.  Five of the top Canadian riders and three teams left Heritage Park in Chilliwack with the sweet taste of victory, a JBL prize package and the title of 2014 Canadian National NO.1 Champion.

Racing since the age of 11, A Pro Mischa Partridge, spends his time now giving back to the sport.  He currently calls Ridge Meadows BMX his home track in Maple Ridge, BC.  The Nanaimo raised full-time student spends his time studying Sports Science and helping coach his local club, and along with Yess’ James Palmer, they run the youth and development program for Cycling BC.  The 2014 A Pro Champion doesn’t plan on stopping now. While I don’t think this champ will be without a team after this great year, Mischa says he’s right back into training with coach Ken Cools and focusing on a busy 2015 year of World Cup and Supercross events. Good luck and Congratulations Mischa! 

2014 has already been a pretty great year for Hunter McGill.  We’ve seen Hunter in the race for the title and knew the championship was in his destiny following Dad’s lead (3 time Canadian cruiser champion Greg McGill).  Hunter brought home a world plate from Rotterdam this summer, but now the Pure rider from Nanaimo gets to choose between that world plate or rocking his new NO.1 Cruiser champion plate.  Congratulations Hunter!

The Kween of the Krappweasels, Shylo Orchard, returned to her reign as the 2014 Girls Cruiser champion.  The Vernon BMX track president has become a familiar site not only on the Canadian circuit, but around the U.S. as well.  Her passion is not just for riding, but a love of coaching, helping little kids and motivating more riders to join BMX.  Congratulations Shylo!

The battle of the girls has been a back and forth all year between the 2013 Amateur champion CBS’ Teigen Pascual and Staat’s Violet Cejalvo.  Fewer than 40 points separated the 11 year-olds headed into Sunday’s main event.  Featured recently as one of the up-and-coming girl riders in B.C., Cejalvo has been one to watch.  From the moment the gate dropped, it was Surrey’s Cejalvo out in front and with that win, she claimed the 2014 Girls Amateur title.  Congratulations Violet!

Fewer than 100 points separated the top 8 riders vying for the 2014 Champion title as we headed into Sunday’s main event.  Every rack seemed to have a rider with a chance to nab the golden ring.  When the dust settled, literally, it was Kelowna’s Mekhi Emerinini holding the cup nearly as big as the 7-year-old Wrecking Crew rider.  Congratulations Mekhi!

The 2014 Factory Team title is the third^rd for Canadian series sponsor Yess BMX Bikes.  Renny and Bill Husada have put together a roster with top elites, masters and amateurs around the world.  Based just outside of Vancouver, BC in Surrey, Factory Yess is home to names like Liam Phillips, Danny Calaug, James Palmer, Amanda Geving, Nick Fox, and Morten Therkildsen.  As well as racing siblings Canadian’s Alex and Ryan Tougas and Drew and Hayden Mechielsen, and numerous great racers.   With a plan to continue to grow in a positive sustainable direction, look to keep seeing more from this team.  Congratulations Yess BMX!

2014 Bike Shop winner (for 4 straight years) went to Abbotsford’s Canadian Bike Supply.  Ron and Julie Forbes are on hand at every national to help out.  With several top riders in the mix like 2013 champions Teigan Pascual and Ayden Houle, they’ve grown to 30 riders throughout B.C. – with many up-and-comers in the mix.   Congratulations Canadian Bike Supply!

With team owners Tony and Kathleen Church helping out with staging and gates, UFO’s commitment and involvement to the Canadian series is evident. With a team of nearly 60 riders throughout B.C., this grassroots team is about having fun.  Congratulations UFO on the 2014 Trophy team championship! 

The 2014 Canadian Grand Nationals may be over, but it was one of the best events in years! All of us here at BMX Canada and USA BMX would like to congratulate all of the 2014 Canadian National NO.1 Champions. Be sure to read more about this year’s event in the November/December issue of PULL Magazine!