Ambassadors
Haley Smith
Haley Smith is a professional mountain bike athlete who races for the Maxxis Factory Racing. The Uxbridge, Ontario native started mountain biking in her late teens, and soon made her way up to the National Team. She is a World Cup and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, a Tokyo 2020 Olympian, as well as a Cam’s Kids ambassador and mental health advocate.
“It’s about being a role model; and it’s about being a positive example of the good that cycling can have in your life – in racing and outside of racing. I hope as an ambassador I provide an example for what healthy and enjoyable involvement of cycling can look like on the race course and also as a lifestyle. For me particularly, it’s a mental health bolstering and supportive activity. I hope to continue to interact with kids and help them build a positive and healthy relationship with cycling and bikes. I think it helps you develop a positive relationship with yourself and your body.”
Haley Smith
Haley Smith is a professional mountain bike athlete who races for the Maxxis Factory Racing. The Uxbridge, Ontario native started mountain biking in her late teens, and soon made her way up to the National Team. She is a World Cup and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, a Tokyo 2020 Olympian, as well as a Cam’s Kids ambassador and mental health advocate.
“It’s about being a role model; and it’s about being a positive example of the good that cycling can have in your life – in racing and outside of racing. I hope as an ambassador I provide an example for what healthy and enjoyable involvement of cycling can look like on the race course and also as a lifestyle. For me particularly, it’s a mental health bolstering and supportive activity. I hope to continue to interact with kids and help them build a positive and healthy relationship with cycling and bikes. I think it helps you develop a positive relationship with yourself and your body.”
Mike Woods
Born and bred in Canada, Michael “Rusty” Woods is a professional cyclist for the Israel – Premier Tech WorldTour team. The 2018 World Championship bronze medalist, and dual Olympian (2016 & 2020) was once a professional runner, and is the only person to have broken 4 minutes for the mile and completed the Tour de France.
“I’m really proud to be an ambassador for HopOn as this is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I believe that the bike is one of the best forms of transportation and recreation and I want to make this great activity accessible to as many people as possible. HopOn shares this vision, and I am keen and eager to help them with this great cause.”
Joey Desjardins
Joey Desjardins is a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic hand cyclist competing in the H3 class. The Ottawa native initially took up cycling as a hobby which quickly turned into a passion. Since picking up the sport in 2009, Desjardins competed with the National Team at several Para-cycling Road World Championships and claimed his first World Cup podium before qualifying for the Paralympic Games where he was Canada’s top finisher in the men’s H3 category.
“Being part of the HopOn program means I get to help kids discover the joys of riding their bikes and feel a new sense of freedom regardless of their ability.”
Joey Desjardins
Joey Desjardins is a Tokyo 2020 Paralympic hand cyclist competing in the H3 class. The Ottawa native initially took up cycling as a hobby which quickly turned into a passion. Since picking up the sport in 2009, Desjardins competed with the National Team at several Para-cycling Road World Championships and claimed his first World Cup podium before qualifying for the Paralympic Games where he was Canada’s top finisher in the men’s H3 category.
“Being part of the HopOn program means I get to help kids discover the joys of riding their bikes and feel a new sense of freedom regardless of their ability.”
Kelsey Mitchell
After being discovered through RBC Training Ground, Kelsey Mitchell has seen nothing but success on the track, breaking the World Record at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima in the women’s flying 200m before becoming an Olympic Champion at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the women’s Sprint. She’s excited to inspire kids across the country to get on bikes and follow their dreams.
“I was lucky enough to be re-introduced to the bike as an adult and it changed my life! So to have the opportunity to be a part of a program like HopOn, a program helping kids of all ages discover the joy and freedom a bike can bring, it makes me proud.”
Derek Gee
Ottawa, ON’s Derek Gee has risen to the highest ranks of both road and track cycling. In track, he collected medals at UCI World Cups from 2017 to 2019, the 2017 and 2019 Pan American Games, and 2018 Commonwealth Games before making his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. Now focused on road, Derek rides professionally for Israel – Premier Tech and has recorded impressive top-three stage finishes at classic races such as the Giro d’Italia.
“Being an ambassador for HopOn is an honour, as the cycling community has transformed my way of life and outlook on activity, health and sport. Helping kids get on bikes is important to me, as cycling has given me so much. I am happy to give back to this sport and help promote the amazing outcome that cycling can give you. Thanks for the opportunity, HopOn!”
Derek Gee
Ottawa, ON’s Derek Gee has risen to the highest ranks of both road and track cycling. In track, he collected medals at UCI World Cups from 2017 to 2019, the 2017 and 2019 Pan American Games, and 2018 Commonwealth Games before making his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. Now focused on road, Derek rides professionally for Israel – Premier Tech and has recorded impressive top-three stage finishes at classic races such as the Giro d’Italia.
Being an ambassador for HopOn is an honour, as the cycling community has transformed my way of life and outlook on activity, health and sport. Helping kids get on bikes is important to me, as cycling has given me so much. I am happy to give back to this sport and help promote the amazing outcome that cycling can give you. Thanks for the opportunity, HopOn!
Molly Simpson
Molly Simpson of Red Deer, AB, is a pioneer of Canadian BMX racing. As a U23 athlete, she became the first woman to ever win a UCI BMX Racing World Cup while representing the maple leaf and also earned bronze at the 2022 UCI BMX Racing World Championships. An eight-time Canadian Champion, Molly now competes as an Elite and hopes to inspire young girls nationwide to hit the BMX track.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of my local cycling community and the support they showed me when I was incredibly young and first starting in the sport. For a program like HopOn to exist and give that opportunity to countless more kids across the country is invaluable and I’m incredibly proud to be an Ambassador for it. The more kids that are introduced to the joys of riding a bike, the better!”