Ottawa, ON (January 13, 2022) Cycling Canada has selected a team of 26 Junior, U23 and Elite athletes to compete at the 2022 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Fayetteville, USA on January 29-30. Over the holiday period, riders prepared for the championships by competing at various races in Europe, including two world cups in Belgium and the Netherlands, where several athletes established personal best performances.
The team will be led by two-time Pan American champion Maghalie Rochette, who has had a breakthrough season and has earned her two first European World Cup podiums. She will be joined by Pan American Games silver medallist Ruby West, national cyclo-cross champions Michael van den Ham and Sydney McGill, as well as two-time 2021 Canadian XCO Championships bronze medallist Tyler Orschel.
Maghalie Rochette at the UCI 2021 Cyclo-cross World Championships in Ostend, Belgium.
Photo: Billy Ceusters
I’m really happy with my season so far, said Rochette. I had some of the best results of my career and was more consistent than ever. My goal for Worlds is to put all these learnings into practice and to deliver the best possible performance. I think it’s realistic to aim for a podium, but I really want to start this race with an open mind and I don’t want to set any limits for myself. I’ve prepared as much as possible, so my goal is to cross the finish line feeling completely drained, knowing that I’ve done my best.
On the development side, Pan American Championships medallists Ava Holmgren, Isabella Holmgren, Ian Ackert and Tyler Clark will be on the athlete watch list in the Junior and U23 races. Pan American champion Ava Holmgren will be a top contender for the womens Junior title after winning multiple races this year and placing 7th at the Namur World Cup. Canadian XCO Championships medallists Owen Clark and Ella Myers will also be looking to compete for a spot on the podium.
The international race experience we were able to provide for our development athletes this season will be largely beneficial at Worlds, said Cycling Canadas Cyclo-cross Lead, Rob Holmgren. The new skills and experience they were able to acquire will carry them well into this competition and further into their careers. We have a great group of development athletes and veterans, and we look forward to seeing them perform against the best in the world.
The national cyclocross team is extremely grateful to our partners Paris to Ancaster, the CX Fever Fund and to our generous donors and volunteers. To become a member of Club 1882 and help support Cycling Canada programs and athletes, click here.
Team Canada
Junior Women
Jenaya Francis Edmonton, AB
Ava Holmgren Orillia, ON
Isabella Holmgren Orillia, ON
Kiara Lylyk Guelph, ON
Ella Myers Calgary, AB
Junior Men
Ian Ackert Severn, ON
Theo DeGroote Orangeville, ON
Sasha Renaud-Tremblay Blainville, QC
Luke Valenti Orangeville, ON
Alexander Woodford Ottawa, ON
U23 Women
Christiane Bilodeau St.Albert, AB
Kelly Lawson Barrie, ON
Katelyn Walcroft Collingwood, ON
U23 Men
Hugo Brisebois Chelsea, QC
Owen Clark Mono, ON
Tyler Clark Mono, ON
Matt Leliveld Mulmur, ON
Noah Ramsey Toronto, ON
Elite Women
Siobhan Kelly London, ON
Sidney McGill Edmonton, AB
Maghalie Rochette Ste-Adle, QC
Ruby West Dundas, ON
Elite Men
Malcolm Barton Uxbridge, ON
Tyler Orschel Uxbridge, ON
Brody Sanderson Severn, ON
Michael van den Ham Abbotsford, BC
About Cycling Canada
Cycling Canada is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada. With the vision of becoming a leading competitive cycling nation, Cycling Canada manages the High Performance team, hosts national and international events and administers programs to promote and grow cycling across the country.
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Source: Cycling Canada
Information: Karine Bedard | Cycling Canada | karine.bedard@cyclingcanada.ca