Each year Trexlertown, PA holds a month long event during the summer called World Series of Bicycling. In 2017 Stefan participated in the event for the first time and had a few bumps along the way. Below is a summery of how events unfolded for Stefan.

Friday, June 9th – Off to a Sprint

Season opener at the Valley Preferred Cycling Centre in Trexlertown, PA, began with the UCI U.S. Sprint Gran Prix. Stefan set himself up nicely with a sprint qualifier of 10.300 behind Canadian Teammate Hugo Barrette. In the quarter finals Stefan was matched up with Eddie Dawkins (NZL). Thanks to Chris Knight for posting photos.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 9.35.14 AM

Next onto the semi-final where Stefan was matched up with Harrie Lavreysen (NED). Where he lost with a very close finish.

Screen Shot 2017-06-10 at 9.35.51 AM

To finish the evening Stefan was matched up with teammate Hugo Barrette (CAN) for the third place final. Stefan came up a little short, finishing 4th in the UCI U.S. Sprint Gran Prix – a great result nevertheless!

~ originally posted by Barbara Ritter on June 10, 2017

Tuesday, June 13th – Road Rash

“Ever wonder what it looks like to hit the deck at 75 km/h on a concrete track? Well this is the aftermath. Thankfully road rash is the extent of my injuries.” ~ Stefan Ritter

On Tuesday, June 13th, Stefan crashed during motor drop training. He is recovering well and is out of the hospital now. Thank you to the staff from Cycling Canada and Leigh Valley Hospital for caring after him these past few days. As parents, we were glad to know he was in good hands! See comments to his instagram post here.

~ originally posted by Barbara Ritter on June 16, 2017

Saturday, June 24th – Set a Track Record and Broke a Saddle

Stefan was back in the saddle racing at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome today, June24th. Broke the velodrome’s track record in the Men’s Flying 200m at 10.179. But just like the NEW saddle Stefan broke mid way through the ride, his holding of the track record was sweet but short. Shortly thereafter, Harrie Lavreysen (NED) bests Stefan’s time, just to be broken in the next heat by Eddie Dawkins (NZL) who set the local velodrome’s new record at 10.141.

~ originally posted by Barbara Ritter on June 24, 2017

Saturday, July 1st – Crash during Flying 200 Meter

On Saturday, July 1st during the Flying 200m at Trexlertown, Stefan crashed when his front wheel hit the sponge in corner 4. The result was a concussion and broken collarbone.Thankfully, his recovery is progressing well!

As parents, we are so grateful to have him home and for him to be able to convalesce here in Edmonton with us. Seeing Stefan come through those security doors at the airport on July 4th, head hanging slightly and arm in a sling, was a touching moment for me as a mother.

Thanks to Cycling Canada Strength Coach Brendan Murphy for his care and bringing Stefan back to Milton, Ontario safely. Thanks to Lehigh Valley Hospital for their care in monitoring the concussion and to Dr. Neal Stansbury for surgical repair of the collarbone. Thanks also to the Cycling Canada Team and Medical staff, Dr. Eillot in particular, for their ongoing monitoring.

Results Recap

Trexlertown, PA – June 9 to 30, 2017

  • July 1st – UCI Madison Cup XLI
    • crashed during Flying 200m sprint qualifier.
  • June 30th – UCI Keirin Cup XXXI
  • June 23rd (actual race date June 24th)  – UCI Festival of Speed
  • June 16th – UCI Fastest Man on Wheels
    • due to a training accident on Tuesday, June 13, Stefan did not participate in the June 16th races.
  • June 10th – UCI Red Robin All-Stars
    • 7th – Keirin
  • June 9th – UCI U.S. Sprint Gran Prix

~ originally posted by Barbara Ritter on July 18, 2017