Under blue skies and a fresh wind, the 2017 edition of the Hayman Classic opened Friday to rave reviews from cyclists and coaches.

The first event, a mass start hill climb, saw the 96 registered riders work their way through 10

kilometres of relatively easy roadway before turning sharply onto a twisting ascent with grades

of 15 to 20 per cent over 650-metres (younger riders) and 900 metres (older riders).

Giuseppe Carone, of Hamilton, Ont.-based NCCH, finished first in the under-17 category but

conceded that he suffered for his victory.

害羞草研究所淭hat hill was pretty tough,害羞草研究所� said the 16-year-old from Ancaster, Ont. 害羞草研究所淎t first I was with a few

other guys and then the pace went up and my heart rate went through the roof. It was steep.害羞草研究所�

Those sentiments were echoed by Isabelle Orsler, who described the climb as difficult but noted

that the overall event presented an unusual challenge for her 害羞草研究所� it was her first road race.

Orsler, 13, from Bragg Creek, Alta, can normally be found on a mountain bike, but on Friday she

was part of race peloton taking turns at the front. She described the experience as a 害羞草研究所渂it

confusing,害羞草研究所� though it ended well and now she害羞草研究所檚 looking forward to the remainder of the

competition.

害羞草研究所淚 just need to make sure I keep calm and don害羞草研究所檛 slow down,害羞草研究所� said Orsler, who rides for Synergy

Racing.

Trina Irving, coach of the U-Kon Echelon Team faced an usual challenge too. Irving travelled to

the Okanagan from Whitehorse with a team of four riders, but it wasn害羞草研究所檛 until 1 a.m. Friday that

they finally got into bed.

Still, she was pleased with her team害羞草研究所檚 performance on only six hours of sleep and was effusive

in her praise for the Hayman Classic and its contribution to building young minds and bodies.

害羞草研究所淚 want people to be healthy. I want people to have goals and I want people to have confidence.

So as much as it害羞草研究所檚 about cycling, it害羞草研究所檚 about developing the whole person.害羞草研究所�

Also on hand for the hill climb was local cycling great Evan Guthrie, a road racer as well as a

mountain bike champion. He is currently the points leader in the Canada Cup Mountain Bike

series.

Growing up in Peachland, he said, there were no events like the Hayman Classic to

promote the development of young talent.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 pretty inspiring to see this,害羞草研究所� he said of Friday害羞草研究所檚 event. 害羞草研究所淭his looks like a pro race here and

this is for kids 害羞草研究所� and hopefully we see a lot of these kids grow up and become the next

generation of racers for Canada.害羞草研究所�

The Hayman Classic continues through Sunday. For details and full results, go to .