Originally from Gatineau, Quebec, Ariane Bonhomme has established herself as one of Canada’s most accomplished endurance track cyclists. What began as a simple way to stay in shape during the summer evolved into an exceptional and inspiring career.
Now 30 years old, she has accumulated medals at the Commonwealth Games and the Pan American Championships, podium finishes on the world stage, two Olympic appearances, and a respected leadership role on the national team.
Throughout this journey, she has learned to reinvent herself by changing disciplines, finding a new balance, and embracing a role of mentorship for the next generation. She embodies the idea that a successful sporting career is not defined solely by performance, but also by thoughtful transitions and a commitment to others.
Unexpected Beginnings… and the Discovery of the Velodrome
Ariane discovered cycling at age 12 as a way to complement her speed skating season. This demanding winter discipline had already taught her how to manage effort and focus on specific goals. At 16, when she set foot on a velodrome for the first time, she experienced an immediate spark.
As the first girl to join the Cuisses Or youth club in Gatineau, she became a role model for other local young athletes who had not yet dared to take up the sport.
Her progression was rapid. She stood out on the road, becoming one of the country’s top junior riders, but it was on the track that she chose to focus her efforts. In 2015, she joined the NextGen national team and, in her very first international season, won gold in the team pursuit and bronze in the points race at the Pan American Championships. This early success confirmed that she was ready to compete with the best.
A Queen of the Team Pursuit
The team pursuit quickly became her specialty. Ariane excels thanks to her ability to read the race, maintain a steady pace, and support her teammates in the final laps, where fatigue is most intense. She won gold four times at the Pan American Championships (2016, 2017, 2019, 2023), added an individual pursuit title, and claimed silver in the Madison in 2023.
On the international circuit, she collected numerous podium finishes in World Cup and Nations Cup events. These competitions, among the most competitive in the world, saw her shine in Cali, Milton, and other prestigious venues. Silver in Milton in 2017 and bronze in 2023 stand out among her highlights. In 2018, she also earned bronze in the team pursuit at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, a key milestone in her international recognition.
Olympic Games: From Rookie to Captain
Ariane competed in her first Olympic Games in 2021 in Tokyo, where she was the youngest member of the Canadian quartet. The team set a national record in the semifinal but narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth. This experience brought her maturity and confidence.
Three years later, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she approached the competition in a very different role. She was now the veteran, guiding younger teammates, sharing her routines, and managing with them the mental and physical aspects of major competitions. This shift in status was significant, illustrating her evolution from a promising athlete to a proven leader.
Remarkable Consistency
Ariane does not shine only at major events. Her consistency between 2022 and 2023 made her a cornerstone of the Canadian team. She delivered a string of podium finishes in the Nations Cup in Adelaide and Milton. At the Pan American Championships in San Juan, she won three medals, including two major titles in individual and team pursuit.
On the national stage, she dominated the 2023 Canadian Track Cycling Championships, winning gold in four events: individual pursuit, omnium, scratch race, and Madison. These results reflect not only her fitness, but also her exceptional versatility.
A New Chapter: Return to the Road
After two intense Olympic cycles, Ariane felt the need to renew herself and rediscover the pure joy of cycling. A bike trip between Paris and Girona allowed her to reconnect with this simple sense of freedom. This break from competition sparked her desire to return to her road cycling roots.
In 2025, she signed with the American team LA Sweat Racing for a full season. She competed in North America and Europe, reached the podium at the Grand Prix Belsele-Waas in Belgium, raced at the Canadian Road Championships, and stood out at the Gastown Grand Prix and the Chicago Grit series. This diversity of races allowed her to enrich her tactical approach and develop greater endurance.
Building Balance: Track, Road, and Mental Health
By combining track and road cycling, Ariane adopts a holistic approach to performance. Track racing provides explosiveness and technical discipline, while road racing develops strategic vision and the ability to adapt to unpredictable race situations. She notes that her experience in pursuit helps her anticipate and manage the final kilometres on the road, which are often decisive.
She places particular emphasis on mental preparation. By working with a sports psychologist, she learns to better channel pressure, strengthen her confidence, and preserve her inner balance. This allows her to remain a steady teammate, even in the most intense moments.
A Woman Committed Beyond Cycling
Off the track, Ariane invests her energy in her passions and in causes close to her heart. Holding a certificate in sexual health from Université Laval, she aspires to become a midwife. Women’s health, motherhood, and reproductive rights are central to her concerns.
She also advocates for the promotion of women’s sport, sharing her experience with younger athletes and standing up for equity in sport. When she is not training, she can be found hiking, fly fishing, or knitting, an activity she learned from teammate Georgia Simmerling and that has become an essential relaxation tool.
A Figure of Transition and Knowledge Transfer
With Paris 2024, Ariane became a symbol of transition within the Canadian team. She bridges generations, passing on not only technical skills, but also a work philosophy and a way of facing challenges.
Her quiet leadership is recognized by teammates and coaches alike. In a demanding sport where margins are razor thin, she represents reliability, consistency, and inspiration.
Reinvention and Legacy
By reinventing herself after two Olympic cycles, Ariane Bonhomme proves that a career can evolve while gaining depth. She combines performance and well-being, individual ambition and collective success.
From Gatineau to the world’s greatest tracks, she rides with passion and passes on to new generations more than technique: a sustainable, human, and inclusive vision of sport.
