The 48-HOUR RIDE event is made possible by partners and teams who are involved with all their hearts. Here is the portrait of:

 

Our partners: YMX - Mirabel International Aerocity

Karine LaSalle is Director, Marketing and Communications, for Aéroports de Montréal, which includes the two brands, YMX for Mirabel and YUL for Dorval. She rode for the first time seven years ago. She found this experience so enriching that she became an exceptional ambassador within her company. She has encouraged employee participation and contributed with interest to the arrival of the 48-HOUR RIDE on the Mirabel Airport runways.

What motivated Aéroports de Montréal to support the 48-HOUR RIDE?

From the beginning, the cause touched us very much. We support several charitable organizations, but in this case, we have the opportunity to have a concrete impact: we welcome cyclists on our premises! When we met the team that told us about the need to find a new location, we immediately saw the possibility of having a real impact. We knew we were losing the landscape of Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve so we worked hard to build on our strengths. We want to offer the best possible space to accommodate more teams in more comfortable conditions and, in this way, make the event grow. For us, this collaboration and commitment is the beginning of a story that we want to see unfold in the future.

"The first year I rode, we had two ADM teams. There was no sunshine during the entire weekend and it rained when it was my turn to ride. It had become a running-gag for the team! Yet every time I rode, I thought about these children would give everything to go cycling, even in the rain. Despite the weather, I found this experience inspiring and rewarding and I wanted to help make it grow."

Meeting our wish child was a very special moment for us! We continued recruiting riders. This year, we have eight teams on the track, in addition to employees who volunteer their time. I see other opportunities for our company to collaborate with the event.

How does this event reflect your company's values?

Passion is an important value at Aéroports de Montréal. We are passionate about aviation and we have used that same passion to get involved in this cause. In addition, fulfilling children's wishes often involves traveling and taking the plane. Wish families therefore go to Dorval airport. By involving Mirabel's facilities and teams in the project, it is as if the two brands were contributing to making wishes come true!

It is also the whole human side that speaks to us a lot. We welcome nearly 20 million passengers annually. This warmth is a value we carry. We are happy to welcome cyclists on our premises and hope that they feel it. That's why we wanted to offer a fireworks display. It is our way of welcoming and giving back to all those involved in this event, with this little something extra, to make a difference!

Karine LaSalle, arms in the air, in the centre