The 29 year old has also been one of the stars of the UCI Track Champions League. During the first season in 2021 she took third place overall in the Women’s Sprint, and last season went one better, claiming second place in the standings.
As Kelsey prepares to embark on her third season, aiming for that coveted top spot, she reflects on the profound impact the series has had on her life:
Kelsey, you've raced every edition of the UCI Track Champions League so far. Can you tell us about your experiences?
It’s been nothing short of incredible. Season 1 was great, and Season 2 was even better, so I’m really looking forward to Season 3 now. The competition is getting tougher all the time and that means the series is going to get better and better as a result.
I’ve been fortunate enough to win two races over the last two seasons, and they were both unbelievable feelings, so I’m definitely aiming for more victories this time around and finishing at the top of the standings would be a great way to round off the year.
We’re revisiting the same venues again this season. Out of the four, which is your favourite and why?
I like them all, though I’ve had very different experiences in each. Season 1 in Mallorca was great. In my very first race, I won the Keirin. Normally I'm all over the place in the Keirin, so that was a special moment. The crowd in London is insane and you can feed off their energy. I’ve raced a lot there over the year and it’s just incredible. I took part in my first ever UCI World Championships in in Berlin, so that’s also special to me, and I was able to win the Keirin there last year too. Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines is where next year’s Olympics are going to be held so being able to race on the track ahead of it will be hugely beneficial.
Does the UCI Track Champions League’s quickfire race format make it harder for you as a sprinter, and how much does it add to the intensity of the racing?
Having to switch my gears myself really adds to the intensity, there's no downtime. We don't have mechanics on the Canadian team, we're fully independent. If I started with Keirin, I’d have to then switch my gearing and get ready for the Sprint. I’ve definitely tried to train my body to relax, but unfortunately, there's no time for that. Coming from a football background and the 90 minutes of playing time, I'm used to the longer, less intense duration, but I still enjoy it.
Last year you spent a month on the road with the Canadian team for the UCI Track Champions League. What was that experience like?
They were honestly the best group to be part of. They're all a bit younger than me, but they're all fun and have so much energy. The Endurance riders are also a little more relaxed than us Sprinters and they don't take everything so seriously. I just fed off that positivity, and being surrounded by motivated people motivates me. We also bonded with the riders from other countries, so it was such a great experience.
Would you agree in saying that you’re the Mum of the Canadian team?
I’d say I'm more like the grandma, though only because I'm the oldest. I'm not a motherly figure. I wouldn't say I feel older though, I can definitely bond on their level.
Do you think that drive and motivation in the Canadian group energised you all last season?
Absolutely. The energy was amazing and every race we went into, we were super focused, and performed really well. I was happy with how the series went last year, so hopefully, it'll be the same again this year.
What gives you joy, drive, and motivation in track cycling?
I'm a very competitive person. Being able to constantly see numbers, times and weights in the gym, and power numbers on the track, means I can constantly compete with myself. I love that. I love the one-on-one sprints, I feed off the pressure and competitiveness.
I also love training, pushing my body every day. Then there’s the team aspect, I have an amazing team-mate in Lauriane Genest, who’s back in the UCI Track Champions League this year. We live, travel and train together, and have a really close bond. I came into the sport late, but I think being older allowed me to appreciate it more than if I’d been a cyclist since I was young. I’m continually growing and learning, and it's been an incredible journey.
Do you think your previous experiences have helped you exponentially with track cycling?
I came to track cycling very naive. I didn't realise how hard it was going to be and I didn't know what I'd have to do to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. What I did know was I was going to do my best every single day.
When I started winning races, including the Tokyo Olympics, it was exciting, but since then it’s been harder, so I had to reset and focus on learning how to win again.
If I had retired after Tokyo, yes, it would have been a fun and cool experience, but I wouldn't have grown as a person. This past year has been filled with ups and downs, expectations, and self-discovery. I have learned about the sport and the people I want around me. I am grateful for the entire sport, and the process, as it has shaped me into who I am today.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
It's been a rollercoaster of a year, so I'm excited to see where my performance is. I’ve not felt physically in the form that I've wanted to be, but mentally I’m there. I think the mental side of it has been a battle for most athletes, but I’m dialled in. I just need to match that physically and get my body back in shape. I'm excited though, I think it'll be a really good season.
And good preparation for the Olympic Games next year?
Definitely. I want to be the best in the world again. I haven't been that since two years ago, so I'm ready to get back on top. The race experience, the regular high-level competition, is something we're missing in Canada. We don't have a lot of races over there, not at the same level as you get in Europe, anyway. For me, the best training is racing, so getting as many races in before the Olympics next year is invaluable.
And finally, describe the UCI Track Champions League in one word.
Incredible… it’s incredible.
