U Kon Echelon Bike Club opened its season with several cyclists competing in the first criterium race Wednesday evening.

Next on the season schedule is this weekend’s Tour de Haines Junction.

On Wednesday in the 25-kilometre criterium for the Under-13 age group, Tori Vollmer finished first. John Irving-Staley finished second followed by Taiga Buurman and Kieran Price.

In the 25-km criterium for the U-15 group, Ava Irving-Staley finished ahead of Lucas Taggart-Cox.

Cauis Taggart-Cox was the only rider in the 50-km for the U-17 age class.

Marc Lapointe finished first in the 50-km adult division with David Jackson finishing second.

U Kon Echelon co-ordinator Trena Irving said this weekend’s Tour de Haines Junction will involve a 20-km time trial, a 40-km hill climb and a road race of varying distances – 30-km, 50-km and 100-km.

“It’s going to be three different races but you add up the results of all three,” she said of the scoring.

Irving said the Tour de Haines Junction has attracted 15 to 20 riders in the past but she’s not sure about this weekend’s turnout because there are fewer riders in general.

Next on the calendar of races is the Tour de Skagway on the May long weekend, involving what Irving describes as very demanding and “intense” 20-km.

“I am pretty impressed when kids make it all the way up to the top, which several have, even when they were 11 and 12 years old,” she said. “It’s crazy.”