Most of Canada’s best riders are back in action this weekend in Saint Georges, Que for the national championships, including Osgoode, Ont.’s Derek Gee-West.
The Lidl-Trek rider, like Vermilion, Alta.’s Alison Jackson, will be in action to defend their maple leaf jerseys. Jackson, now riding for St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93 team will try and take her fourth title on the road. Gee-West, who has won titles in the TT and on teh track, will be going for his second win in the elite road race.
The 2025 road nationals
Last year, Derek Gee-West won the elite men’s road race at the 2025 Canadian national championships after a wet, attritional day of racing that played into his former team Israel – Premier Tech’s strength in numbers.
With Hugo Houle controlling key moments and the IPT squad riding aggressively against a mixed field, Gee-West emerged as the decisive rider as the race fractured in the rain and tough conditions.
Gee-West’s 2026 season thus far
As we all know, he didn’t get to wear the jersey in any races after his win. He resigned from the then ProTeam which resulted in a very long contract dispute. Ultimately the team rebranded as NSN Cycling, and Gee-West would find a home at the now German team, Lidl-Trek.
Derek Gee-West and Michael Woods double-bill podcast episode
The 28-year-old Olympian had a solid return to the peloton, despite not having raced for half a year. He finished 7th overall at the UAE Tour, but then had some hiccups after not feeling so hot at the Volta a Catalunya.
He took a bit of a break and returned to action at the Tour of the Alps, getting some important race miles in before the Giro d’Italia. The Italian Grand Tour didn’t start great–he crashed early and lost a minute–but would fight back through the three weeks showing some great form, finally finishing fifth.
Canadian Cycling Magazine will have reports and photos from all the races. The TT is tomorrow, although full start lists are still not available.