2016 Ride Like a Girl Athlete Roster Announced

With the 2016 riding season in full swing, Ride Like a Girl is pleased to announce the eight athletes that have been selected for this year's program. Gabby Keen, Stephanie Denroche, Kyleigh Stewart and Ainhoa Ijurko on the gravity side, and Julia Long, Mila Wittenberg and Sorsha Henning for cross-country. Athletes were selected based on a range of criteria including race experience, goals for the upcoming season, and desire to give back to the mountain bike community through volunteering at events, coaching kids, and helping at trail days.

Each athlete is matched with a pro rider in their discipline and receives mentorship and support from the Ride Like a Girl program throughout the season. Two athletes also receive a $500 bursary to assist with race expenses for the year.

The Athletes and Mentors

Kyleigh Stewart
At sixteen, Stewart's focus is on downhill racing and improving her freeriding and jumping skills. Stewart was the 2015 Canadian National Champion DH and the BC Cup Champion in the U17 category. She has been matched with Whistler based pro Trish Bromley, and supported by Liv/Giant, Muscle Milk, Crankbrothers, Spank, Royal Racing, Seven Idp, and 100%.

Stephanie Denroche
Stephanie Denroche, 16, a DH rider hailing from Whistler, BC was selected to participate in the program for a second year in a row. Denroche was matched with pro Jaime Hill in 2015 and has the opportunity this season to work with past Canadian National Champion and World Cup competitor Miranda Miller. Denroche's aim for 2016 is to represent Canada as a Junior at the World Championships.

"The Ride Like a Girl program has been invaluable to me. It creates a network of support with other female riders, which is great at races and out on the trails. I've been able to learn some much about line selection, pre-race preparation and training from my mentor last year - Jaime Hill, and I am excited to work with Miranda Miller this year and tap into her knowledge and experience from years of racing," Denroche said.


Denroche, who won the 2015 BC Cup Championships in her age category and took 2nd place in U19 at the Canadian National Championships is on fire this season having taken the win at the recent Race the Ranch Junior Showdown in Kamloops, BC. Denroche is supported by Norco (Live to Play Sports), Race Face, Ryders Eyewear, and West Coast Float.


Ainhoa Ijukro
For the 2016 season, Ainhoa Ijukro, 14, of Squamish, BC, and originally from Spain, is matched with pro rider Jaime Hill and plans to race in downhill, enduro and cross-country events this season. Ijukro is sponsored by One Up Components for the 2016 season.


Gabby Keen
Gabby Keen, 14, of Port Moody, BC is another downhill and freeride athlete to watch for this year. Gabby is matched with pro rider Katie Holden, and also received the gravity bursary of $500 to help with race expenses this season. Gabby has been actively involved as a volunteer with the Tricities Off Road Cycling Association helping with trail days, events, and the Take a Kid Mountain Biking program.


Jaya Gilbert
At 12 years old, Jaya Guibert of Pemberton, BC is Ride Like a Girl's youngest athlete but is already a force to be reckoned with, known locally for her excellent skills in technical terrain.


Julia Long
Shredding the mountains on both the ups and the downs, Whistler based athlete Julia Long has her sights set on qualifying for XC Canadian Nationals and placing in the top 10 in junior women.


Long had a strong 2015 season taking the U17 win at the BC XC Championships, winning the North Shore High School Race League and high school Provincials for XC and Enduro, and taking 3rd in her category at the Whistler Canada Cup XC. Long plans to continue to volunteer with Whistler Off Road Cycling Association events and hopes to coach kids through their dirt camps.

Mila Wittenberg
Also from Whistler, Mila Wittenberg, 14, is another rising star on the xc scene. Wittenberg dominated the 2015 XC high school race series in her age category, won the Junior overall title in Whistler's xc twoonie race series, and placed 4th at the Canada Cup in Whistler. This year Wittenberg has the opportunity to be mentored by pro Mical Dyck.


Sorsha Henning
Ride Like a Girl's 2016 XC Roster is rounded out with Sorsha Henning, 15, of Squamish, BC, who is focused on the Test of Metal race series and BC Cups for 2016. Sorsha has a desire to improve her technical and downhill skills and has been matched with pro Katrina Strand.


"Mountain biking isn't really a female dominated sport, so having a program like Ride Like a Girl is a great opportunity to give confidence to young girls and the next generation of mountain bikers. I've been looking up to Katrina and hearing about how much she influences the mountain bike community for the past few years now. I'm really looking forward to getting to know her and having her help lead me through the world of mountain bike racing," - Sorcha Henning.

In addition to all of their racing, each of the Ride Like a Girl athletes will be spending some of their time this season volunteering and giving back to the riding community through coaching kids, helping at trail days, and organizing bike events. We wish each of the girls success this season!

Shout out to NS Ride, Muddbunnies, LIV and Ozmosis Training, whose generous contributions made the 2016 bursary program a reality!

For more information on Ride Like a Girl visit: www.ridelikeagirl.ca and follow us on Facebook.

---

MENTIONS: @muddbunnies / @GiantBicycle / @OneUpComponents / @raceface

---