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BB NEWS BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT FOR CYCLIST CAME LAST YEAR Continued from page 3 old Powell. "I just gave it everything I had and was able to pull off the win." owell also returned home from Colombia with a bronze medal that he resident Albert Taylor in men's team pursuit. The squad established a new Canadian record and fin- ished behind Italy and Germany in the standings. Powell's rise to the top of the medal podium has been meteoric, starting Mi a decision to sign on the Cycling Nerden in late 2019 to try competitive mountain biking. To this day, he has yet to compete in a mountain biking race. Instead, Powell was en- couraged by KW Cycling Academy head coach Rob Good to give road and track racing a spin. "I saw leg speed and power, and no matter what I did, I could not tire him out," said Good. “We took him to the For- est City Velodrome (in London, Ont.) that winter, introduced him to track cycling, and he fell in love with it.” Powell ran his first track race in February 2020, and then the CO- VID-19 pandemic struck, which be used to his ad- vantage With the world at a standstill, he spent long hours on the roads of Wa- terloo Region, becomi stronger and faster each time out. pionship at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, where he hit the time standard in individu- al pursuit which led to op- portunities with Cycling Canada. He qualified for last year's junior track worlds in Israel and followed it up this year with strong track and road seasons that in- cluded a gold medal per- e at the Canadian Rend Cycling Championship i in Edmon- “Powell alse. attended in youn r that “took him Yo Belgium, Austria, Czechia and the Netherlands, and earlier this month was on the Canadian team at the UCI World Road Champi- onship i in Scotland. ments came in April 2082 at the Canadian track cham- spend so much time train, ing and focusing on the “They don’t want the prima donnas, they don't want to have nonlisteners; they want to have athletes that if there's a job to do, and they're asked to do it, they'll do it.” racing while we're there that we don't get to see much of the scenery or sights," he said. An extended stay in Eu- rope could change that, a move that could be just around the corner. Profes- sional teams have taken f note of Powell's run o! good form, and several have contacted him since his gold-medal win in Co- lombia. It's a move he wants to Ke. - Rob Good “As a pro cyclist, you have to live in Europe where allthe big races and the big competitions take place," he said. “You can be based out of Canada, but you're never going to reach the top lev- . Good believes it's only a matter of time before Pow- eu ‘signs a professional oat you ask Ethan to do something, he will just go and do it, and that's what UOAYD OLENA | SL pro teams are looking for, said the veteran coach. “They don't want the € prima donnas, they don't ant to have nonlisten they want to have athlete: that if there's a job to do, & and they're asked to do it, they'll do it.” Powell graduated from 8 8 Resurrection G2 ZL sequioydog “hepa nL schooling to focus on cy- ling. He'll conclude his sum- mer schedule this week- e in Vermont before shutting it down for a few weeks of rest. SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA only ‘Patt SL er Soak GET THIS GREAT OFFER BY CALLING 1-800-210-5210 AND USE CODE CNWRI99 OR VISIT EASIER DELI with this fantastic deal on your daily local news. gy Subscribe to the Waterloo Region Record print edition now and SAVE 59% off WEEKEND HOME DELIVERY! * Trusted, Award-Winning Journalism + Local news when you need it + Complimentary Digital access + Complimentary ePaper access WATERLOO REGION REC ORD bit Nant o'9]9|UOIYDOOLIE}2M (fer enpes August 31,2023