CANADA LOSES ONE OF ITS FINEST DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKE ATHLETES TO A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

(Ottawa, ON – May 10, 2016) It is with great sadness that Cycling Canada has learned of the recent passing of Mountain Bike Downhill professional Steve Smith, of Cassidy, B.C.

Steve Smith passed away earlier today as the result of a massive brain injury sustained from an enduro motorcycle crash that occurred near his home of Nanaimo, British Columbia, this past weekend.

“We are really stunned and disheartened to hear of Steve’s passing. From all accounts he was definitely the best downhill mountain biker Canada has ever known. Steve left his mark by winning multiple national titles and winning the overall World Cup series in 2013, as well as three World Cup events. He will be greatly missed by the international Downhill community, Canadian Mountain Bikers and the people he was the closest to. Our sincerest condolences go out to Steve’s family, team mates and supporters in this very sad time,” said Jacques Landry, Cycling Canada’s High Performance Director.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened to lose a Canadian role model who had such a great and long future ahead of him. Like all of the cycling community, both in Canada and around the world, we at Cycling Canada are in mourning at the passing of Steve. We cannot fathom what his family and friends must be feeling,” said John Tolkamp, President of Cycling Canada.

In this time of sorrow, Cycling Canada would like to extend its deepest condolences to Steve’s family and friends.