FOUR ATHLETES CRACK THE TOP-10 AT THE 2022 UCI CYCLOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Ottawa, ON (January 31, 2022) – A team of twenty-five athletes represented Canada over the weekend at the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Fayetteville, USA, with four athletes making their way to the top-10. World Cup medallist Maghalie Rochette was Canada’s top finisher in the Elite field with a career-best 7th place finish, while Pan American champion Ava Holmgren obtained the best Junior result, also placing 7th at her first World Championships.
Rochette came into the event as one of the top contenders in the highly competitive Elite women’s field after a stellar season which includes two podiums on the European World Cup circuit. The Ste-Adèle native had a difficult start, beginning the first lap positioned in 13th before fighting her way to 5th in the first three laps. She eventually eased into 7th place during the second part of the race to earn her best-ever World Championships result.
“A part of me is really proud of what we accomplished this year; I think I had my best season ever and I proved that I could compete with the best in the world,” said Rochette. “I also feel a bit disappointed – I think I had a shot at the podium and I missed out on that but at the same time, I don’t think I would do anything different. At the end of the day, I can be proud of showing up here to the best of my ability and delivering a good ride. Being in a position that we can realistically believe that we have a shot at a medal is a huge step for cyclo-cross in Canada and I think we can be proud of that.”
In the Junior races, three first-year athletes competing at their first World Championships finished among the top-10, highlighting the incredible depth of talent of Canadian development athletes. Twins Ava and Isabella Holmgren were able to put together two strong rides in the women’s field and finished in 7th and 8th place respectively. In the men’s race, national U17 mountain bike champion Ian Ackert unfortunately crashed at the start and fought to make his way back up the pack, setting record lap times to finish with a solid 8th place.
“I’m so happy that my first World Championships were in North America because I got to hear my friends and family on the side of the course cheering me on and it was so great having their support here,” said Ava Holmgren. “I’m just amazed by how everything went and I’m so happy with my race.”
For full results, click here.
