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Hi everyone and welcome on my website!
Website
Over 5 years ago, I decided to make my athlete resume available online to get in touch with sponsors
more easily. I then slowly started to add some sections and ended up creating a complete website. It's an
efficient way to increase my exposure while learning web page language and design. This web site is litteraly
a hobby and it helps me keep in contact with my family, my friends and my sponsors while contributing to
the promotion of this sport.
Passion
This site is mostly dedicated to my passion; downhill mountain biking. I am impassioned with biking
and this, ever since my first BMX race at the age of five years old. After playing hockey for 12 years,
I first entered downhill mountain biking competitions in 1997.
First season
During this first season, I ended up with the Quebec Jr. Champion title as well as the Canada Jr. Co-champion title.
My performance allowed me to earn a place on the national team to represent Canada at the
World Championships. Needless to say that my first year had boosted my confidence! The competition helped me
discover another dimension of biking and I never stopped since then.
Races
Every year, I compete locally and nationally including Canada Cup and Quebec series, National Championships, the Mt. Ste-Anne
World Cup and various competitions in Canada and the United States. I love to ride for the pleasure, but the race forces me
to surpass myself and that brings me a feeling of accomplishment.
Bike lessons
Over the years, I have built myself a solid reputation on the National circuit and I took this opportunity to share my
experience with other riders through mountain bike lessons. I have my own business called Progression bike coaching.
I pride myself on the ability to help new rider develop skills and earn respect for the sport of mountain biking.
2008
I moved back to Victoria BC last November, where I regularly ride my road bike, my cross country bike, go for downhill
runs, play hockey and work out at the gym. I'll come back to Bromont at the end of April, where I'll reside all summer
between races. When not racing, I'm either training or coaching.
Thanks for visiting my website!
Dominick Ménard
Progression bike coaching
dom@dominickmenard.com
| Personal |
| Name |
Dominick Ménard |
| D.O.B. |
April 25th, 1979 |
| Size |
5'10½" |
| Weight |
160lbs |
| Hometown |
Laval, QC |
| Summer Residence |
Bromont, QC |
| Winter Residence |
Victoria BC |
| |
|
| |
|
| Athlete |
| Discipline |
Downhill mountain biking |
| Category |
Pro |
| Experience |
11 years |
| No. of races |
115 |
| Wins |
19 (12 Pro) |
| Team |
To be announced |
| Sponsors |
Lois jeans, Physio Extra, Roger wireless.. more sponsors to be announced. |
| |
|
| |
|
| Various |
| Music |
Trance, punk, metal, rap... pretty much everything! |
| Interest |
Sales, fashion, web, rally car |
| Other sports |
BMX, hockey, golf, weight lifting |
| Transportation |
A mini van that costs me too much in repairs! |
| Likes |
Liberty, travelling, driving, yogourt |
| Dislikes |
Traffic, routine, incompetence, 9 to 5 |
| Later |
Free time and automate income is the goal |
| Admires |
Nicolas Vouilloz, Brad Pitt, DJ Tiesto, Tim Ferriss |
| Occupation |
Progression bike coaching |
|
2006 |
Pro |
Canadian National Ranking |
Champion |
|
2006 |
Pro |
Quebec Championships |
Champion |
|
2006 |
Pro |
Mt. Tremblant Canada cup |
2nd |
|
2006 |
Pro |
Canada Cup Overall |
4th |
|
2005 |
Pro |
Quebec Championships |
2nd |
|
2005 |
Pro |
Canada Cup overall |
7th |
|
2004 |
Pro |
Quebec Championships |
Champion |
.
|
2004 |
Pro |
Canadian Championships |
4th |
|
2003 |
Pro |
Quebec Cup overall |
Champion |
|
2003 |
Pro |
Canada Cup overall |
8th |
|
2002 |
Pro |
Quebec Cup overall |
Champion |
|
2000 |
Pro |
Quebec Championships |
Champion |
|
1998 |
Exp. |
Quebec Cup overall |
Champion |
|
1997 |
Jr. |
Quebec Championships |
Champion |
|
1997 |
Jr. |
Canadian Championships |
2nd |
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Training
- I moved back to Victoria on the Vancouver Island, where I
regularly ride my road and cross country bike, go for downhill runs, play hockey and work out at the gym all winter.
- During the summer when not racing, I will be established in Bromont where I coach and train.
Projects
- Race the Sea Otter Classic in California
- Participate in the Mont Ste-Anne and Bromont World Cup events
- Participate in the US Open of mountain biking in New Jersey
- Take part in most races of the Canada Cup and Quebec Cup series
- Coach various bike clinics, training camps, school sport program and practice sessions
- Train at the Bromont bike park between races
- Give conferences on my passion; biking
Objectives
- Be in the top 5 positions of every National level races
- Be selected on the National team
- Win the Quebec Championships and/or Quebec Cup overall series
- Expand my coaching business; Progression bike coaching
- Give the best visibility to my sponsors, while working jointly with them
- Promote the sport (training and helping other riders/kids, give conferences etc...)
- Do all this and keep having fun doing it!
1985 It's when I look at those early years pictures, that I realize I have
always had a little something for biking. When I was young, I had the chance to have a BMX track close to my
house where I was racing each year until it was converted into a municipal park near 1988. Now, only a few
trees and 2 or 3 seats park remain. During several years, I almost forgot about biking and played
hockey like most of the kids here.
1996 was the year where I started to feel the need for mountain bike racing. I had past the last couple of years reading bike
magazines while riding my bike more and more often and I suddenly wanted to measure myself to others. So, I started to race cross country
on a regional circuit in Terrebonne near where I live, as well as a dual slalom competition. During the summer, my friend Jimmy
initiated me to downhill and brought me a couple of times to Bromont, where I instantly fell in love with the sport. Beside, I felt like I had some
skills and a great potential for this discipline. So I decided with my brother Philippe to register for my first downhill race.
I still clearly remember this moment; it was in Mt. Ste-Anne, on the most well known downhill track in the world during a rainy weekend of October. Unfortunately, the bike I
had didn't have any rear suspension and I flatted after only 10 seconds on the course. However, I had the good idea to time myself during
one of my practice run and I was quite surprise to see that I would have beat the winner of my class by a 10 second margin! It was clear
in my head, I had to race the full season next summer. During the winter, I quitted hockey and started to focus on downhill mountain biking
by working out 5 times a week in a gym. My motivation was to win the Junior Quebec Champion title at my first year.
1997 was a year that I will never forget! The fact that it was my very first season made each race
special for me. Each weekend, I was discovering a new mountain, a new course, meeting with other racers
and visiting new places. I won my first race in Hull during a Quebec Cup. I was racing in the Junior
category and with the time I made, I would have won in the Pro (Senior elite) as well! This victory gave me wings
and I won both the Quebec Junior Champion title and the Canadian Junior Vice-Champion title. To top it all I
was selected on the Junior Canadian National Team to represent Canada at the World Championship held in
Switzerland. Unfortunately, I fell severely and was not able to complete the race. Since I had undergone a
concussion and I could not move, the First Aid Rescue team did not take any chances; my season thus ended
with an helicopter ride. I really can say that I have learned the highs and lows of this sport in my first year!
1998 was what I can call "a transition season". Since I had only race one season, I decided
to gain some experience in the Expert class, before making the jump to the Pro category. That year,
I've learned a lot and gain great confident, while slowly making myself a name on the circuit. I have
been on the podium on every 9 races I entered that season by winning 5 of them to easily take the Quebec
Cup overall title in the Expert class.
It is in 1999 that I first started to race as a pro elite downhiller. However, the status itself of elite
didn’t make me go any faster during the first 2 races! The Quebec calendar started with a double 21st ranking which was quite deceiving.
As I was expecting a much better result, this unfortunate result hit me hard. The following weekend, was a National
race at Hull. Despite my disappointing first 2 races, I was still confident for this race, as I had won 4 times on
that course in the past. I ended up 3rd Quebecer and 8th overall. For my first experience on the national scene, I
was quite pleased with my result. Thereafter, I joined Balfa Cycles and took part in two World cup races as I had earned
UCI points throughout the season. Quite an exciting venue, being cheered up by so many people on the course! I had
once been that guy yelling out loud to the pros! I managed to qualify to the finals and ranked myself 65th in Ste-Anne
and 58th at Bromont. At the end of the season, I won my first pro race in Bromont during the final Quebec Cup race of the season.
2000 was overall a good season. I was back with Balfa Cycles and managed to get a few good results. But I
had to work on my race consistence. I was still falling often during the races, which cost me precious seconds. Sometimes, I would have
great results but the next weekend was a complete different story. Despite some average performances, I still managed to win a
Quebec Cup race in Ste-Mathieu, while taking a 5th and 3rd place in Plattekill, a US East cost series. My most satisfying result of the
season was without a doubt my win in Alma, which allowed me to win my first Quebec Championship title in the Pro category despite crashing
during my race run!
Believe or not, I almost stopped racing in 2001! I also have a passion for rally car racing and
that year, I had decided to start racing at the next rally season in November. In May, I had taken the decision
to put aside MTB racing and start saving some money for a rally car. However, my retirement only lasted a
few weeks… I couldn’t handle it anymore… My brother was still racing and looking at him going at the
races was such a pain! In the beginning of June, I decided it was enough and started to look for a bike.
Since I didn’t renew my contract with Balfa, I had to find myself a bike and pay for it. Back to square one! But it
didn’t really matter I that point, all I wanted was to get on a bike asap and race again. By chance, one of my friend (Steve
Boisclair) had a mint Tomac 204 Magnum for sale and one night I took the bike for a quick test ride on the street and that
was it! I was back on the racing scene! Later in the season, I joined the La Cordée Team and took the 4th place on the overall
Quebec Cup series despite missing 2 races. I also raced the AMBC (American Mountain Bike Championship) and finished 2nd.
The 2002 season was quite a good year, I was getting more and more consistent and my results were proving it.
I ended up the season with 3 Quebec cup wins, as well as a 2nd and a 3rd place finish, which allowed me to put a hand
on the Quebec Cup overall title for the first time since my beginnings. That year, I was once again racing under the
La Cordée Team colors.
2003 was my last year racing for the La Cordée Team. In terms of results, it was one of my best seasons since
I started. I made a return on the Canada Cup circuit travelling west for the first time since 2000. It definitely helped improving
my riding. I finished in 8th place on the Canada Cup overall which was my performance so far. On the Quebec circuit, I won 3 races
and took home the Quebec Cup overall for a 2nd year in a row. I also participated in 2 races of the Ontario Cup series and won both
of them. Travelling west and taking a bit more time off from work was great and I felt the need to dedicate more time to mountain biking.
I realized I was getting more exposure, my website was growing in popularity and I felt like I should step forward with sponsorships.
This excellent season helped me get a spot on the Cycles Devinci team for 2004. I also concluded an agreement with CGI,
Dragon optical, Physio Extra and Dangerboy components. It was already very promising for the following year!
Looking back, 2004 has been one of the most fulfilling year of all. My agreement with Cycles Devinci pumped me up and for
the very first time since I started racing, I took the summer off work to focus and dedicate all my time and energy to cycling which
has been very benefical. I spent the month of April on the westcoast training with Hugo Donais (old school now retired ahah). Following with
the Sea Otter Classic down in California, probably the largest cycling event of the year. We drove in Hugo's pick
up truck from California to Quebec and on the way back, we stopped in Moab and Las Vegas for a few days. I lived
the following months at the National Training Center in Bromont where they've got multiple facilities like a BMX
track, a Velodrome and of course the Mountain. Spending most of my days off riding the BMX track. Without any concern,
the commitment I made in 2004 has provided me an opportunity to achieve certain results, which otherwise would have
never occured; in addition to winning the Quebec Championship, I finished in 4th position at the Canadian National
Championship. A flexible schedule like this has allowed me to get involved in different areas of the sport; I obtained
my Level 1 Coaching Certification with the Cycling Federation, which gave me the opportunity to coach in various training
camps and practice sessions at the National Training Center in Bromont.
2005 was again a very exciting season! I finished in 7th place on the Canada Cup overall, which was
my best finish since my beginnings on the Canadian circuit in 1999. I also took the 2nd spot on the Quebec
Championships and ended up 6th at the Fernie Canada Cup in BC. My visibility also took a step forward with my
involvement as a coach, my association with Cycles Devinci and also because I’m starting to be a veteran on the circuit!
Back with Cycles Devinci for a 3rd year in a row, 2006 has been quite a surprising year. I learned and gained
a lot of confidence after achieving surprising results. This momentum of success then helped me along the season to finish 2nd
at the Tremblant Canada Cup and 4th on the Overall. Once the national events were over, we drove back to Quebec to race Quebec
Championships which I managed to win for a second time in three years. Additionally, my consistency throughout the season allowed
me to steal the first ranking on the national ranking. This is undoubtedly my best season ever and I am already looking
forward to the next one! In order to improve my fitness and my skills, I decided to move to Victoria and train harder
than ever. During the summer, I also took part in the making of Viscious Circle, a movie which will be out in 2007. I
was also interviewed by Musique Plus during this years World Cup venue where I placed 44th, my best ranking so far.
2007 started with a major change! After 3 years with Cycles Devinci, I came to an agreement with Giant Bicycle Canada, the
world's most important bike company! This was by far the biggest contract since my beginnings; needless to say I was really
excited and motivated for the season! 2007 marked my 10th season racing downhill and it is also the year where
Progression bike coaching, my own coaching company, saw the light. Only during this season, coaching allowed me to help
more than 500 riders from every level and age to develop their skills and gain respect for the sport. 2007 was without a
doubt my best season ever in terms of media visibility. I gained exposure through TV (RDS, Canal Vox), magazines (Crux),
internet and even in a professional bike movie (Viscious Circle). For the first time since my beginnings, I appeared in
all four of the most important media outlet. I have participated in a total of 14 races all across Canada and the US between
the month of April and October. I ended 3rd on the Quebec cup overall and 7th on the Canada Cup overall. I also won the
Échappée freeride event. In September, I had the opportunity to be President of honor of the “Roule et Dons” event where
all the profits went to the “Maison Carpe Diem”, a private medical home for people with Alzheimer. Being offered such
opportunity proved that my name is well respected in the bike community. 2007 was a blast on every level and I'm looking forward
for 2008!
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