A White Rock mountain biker is gearing up to compete in Switzerland this weekend, eyeing a world-championship title as part of Team Canada.

Elliot Jamieson 害羞草研究所� who left for Lenzerheide Monday 害羞草研究所� told Peace Arch News Friday he was asked to compete for Canada in downhill at the 2018 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships after placing third at Canadian Nationals in Panorama as a junior in July, and sixth at the Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC World Cup in August. In the latter, he was the top Canadian rider.

He害羞草研究所檒l take to the Lenzerheide course on Sept. 9.

害羞草研究所淭his chance to go to world championships is definitely going to be the biggest race I害羞草研究所檝e ever done,害羞草研究所� Jamieson said.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 so excited.害羞草研究所�

The 17-year-old athlete, whose Grade 12 year at Earl Marriott Secondary began this week, said he has always beens sports-oriented 害羞草研究所� including hockey and racing BMX when he was 害羞草研究所渜uite a bit害羞草研究所� younger. He started getting into mountain biking about four years ago.

害羞草研究所淥ver the past few years, I害羞草研究所檝e just gotten a lot more into it, gotten a lot faster,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淧robably three years ago, I really started taking it more seriously.害羞草研究所�

He also volunteers at races hosted by SORCE (Surrey Off-Road Cycling Enthusiasts) Bike Club, which presents such events as the Junkyard Dog XC held annually at South Surrey Bike Park. Jamieson害羞草研究所檚 mom, Trish, said South Surrey害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所済reat trail network害羞草研究所� has provided her son with some solid training grounds in pursuit of his passion.

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Jamieson described the World Championship opportunity as 害羞草研究所渢he next step in fulfilling my goal of racing professionally.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淎ll the work that you put in, it害羞草研究所檚 cool to be able to be selected and be given the opportunity,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淗ard work sort of pays off when you get to go to a cool place and race against the best people in the world.害羞草研究所�

Jamieson is no stranger to hard work off the track, either. Taking online academic courses since Grade 9, he害羞草研究所檚 set to graduate after just one semester in class this year 害羞草研究所� clearing his schedule for more training starting in the spring.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 pretty motivated to train and do that sort of thing,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e always sort of pushed myself and tried my hardest and worked hard.害羞草研究所�

Sunday害羞草研究所檚 race will pit him against 害羞草研究所�60 to 70害羞草研究所� 17- and 18-year-olds from around the world, including five other junior men on the Team Canada roster, in a run Jamieson estimates will be over in 害羞草研究所渏ust over three minutes.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淵ou build up and then害羞草研究所� you get that window where you, kind of, do-or-die,害羞草研究所� he said.

A win will score him a rainbow-striped jersey, which 害羞草研究所渟orta means you害羞草研究所檙e the fastest in the world.害羞草研究所�

Jamieson is hoping to eventually be sponsored, but for now, is thrilled by response to a gofundme campaign he launched to help cover costs of this week害羞草研究所檚 trip.

He aimed for $2,500, but ended the campaign when the total hit $3,700.

害羞草研究所淚 can害羞草研究所檛 believe over $3,500 was raised. And without the support, this opportunity would not be possible,害羞草研究所� Jamieson wrote in a wrap-up post Aug. 30.

害羞草研究所淚 look forward to an amazing race and experience. I am flying out next week and will be racing on Sunday, September 9th. Thank you!害羞草研究所�

Follow Jamieson on Instagram at elliot.jamieson or find him on Facebook.