Cyclist Buczkowski loads up on gold

St. Thomas 15-year old wins six gold at Canadian track cycling championships

 April 4, 2023

Eve Buczkowski holds her hardware won at the Canadian U17 track cycling championships March 31-April 2, in Bromont, Quebec. (photo / Andrew Buczkowski)

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - Eve Buczkowski's travel bag was much heavier returning home.

The 15-year old from St. Thomas won six gold medals and a bronze at the Canadian U17 track cycling championships, March 31-April 2 at the velodrome in Bromont, Quebec.

Representing Team Ontario, Buczkowski captured three individual gold, winning the U17 women's five kilometre scratch race, the 500-metre time trial and a bronze in the two kilometre individual pursuit. The student at Central Elgin Collegiate also finished fourth in the elimination race and fifth in the points race.

"I never would've thought that I would walk away with any medals considering it was my first nationals, so I am beyond thrilled to have walked away with six National titles," said Buczkowksi. "I'm very proud of my achievements and it was an amazing experience racing with girls from all around Canada. All the events required slightly different skills and tactics, but a constant was just pushing and giving it your all until the finish."

Buczkowski and fellow St. Thomas cyclist Alex Fangeat, formed dynamic duo and won the women's 10-kilometre madison race, under the team name Railway City.

Capping her golden championship, Buczkowski, with Fangeat and Lili Salenen-Berscht, won Ontario gold, in both the team pursuit and team sprint finals.

"The one race that stands out was the team sprint when I was able to bring back 1.6 seconds to the other team and won the race for Ontario," Buckzkowski said.

Fangeat won three individual U17 races, the pursuit, points and elimination and finished third in the scratch race and the 500-metre time trial.

Brody Mann of St. Thomas, is the provincial U17 men's 7.5-kilometre scratch champion.

"Winning gold at Nationals has always been my dream," said Mann. "The last two laps of the scratch race definitely was a turning point, being able to jump on one of my competitors wheels and allowing him to take me into one lap to go, then passing him to take it home. Overall an incredible feeling, and I still can’t quite believe it. Nothing but happiness (when crossing the finish line), realizing I had just become a national champion was crazy to me, as I've never done something like that before."

Mann earned a second gold, helping Ontario, with Antoine Bergeron, Jake Mclean and Maxim Wojiechowksi, win the men's team pursuit.

"Winning gold twice certainly exceeded my expectations," Mann said. "Being in the pursuit was really great, especially being able to represent team Ontario."

Mann also finished fourth in both the individual men's pursuit and the points races and eighth, in the elimination final.

"This will definitely be a serious confidence booster going into the road season," added Mann.

Where it all started: A young Eve Buczkowski excited about her first bike.  (photo / courtesy Andrew Buczkowski)