U23 ATHLETES CONQUER ELITE FIELD AT 2024 CANADIAN CYCLO-CROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS 

Ottawa, ON (Nov. 18, 2024) – There was plenty of action at the 2024 Canadian Cyclo-cross Championships, presented by Lazer, held on Nov. 16 in Lévis, QC, as a new class of Canadian champions were crowned.   

Racing through rain and mud, 350 athletes put on quite a show for the local crowd.   

Ian Ackert and Isabella Holmgren, both 19 years of age and usually competing in the U23 category, gave a masterclass in the Elite categories, in which they were both upgraded for the occasion. The two Ontarians dominated their races, establishing a gap of over 40 seconds on the runner-up positions, occupied by Maghalie Rochette in the women’s category and Gunnar Holmgren in the men’s. Sidney McGill and Tyler Clark took bronze.  

“I don’t think I’ve had that much fun in a long time,” Isabella told Canadian Cycling Magazine. “I was just trying to focus on my own race because it was so slippery. I made sure to power on the straightaway. I didn’t plan an attack or anything, I just rode as hard as I could.” 

Earlier in the day, Mika Comaniuk and Marin Lowe were crowned winners of the U23 category after taking an early lead in the race, creating a significant gap over silver medallists Alexander Woodford (+31.83s) and Mia De Martin (+2:21m).   

“I love these conditions,” said Lowe “I was excited for the race and felt calm going into it and I was open to all possibilities. I just wanted to deliver a good race and stay smooth in conditions that I love and am used to from back home, so I’m happy about how I executed my plan. It’s very special to win this jersey.”  

Rafaëlle Carrier, national title holder in the Junior women’s XCO and XCC mountain bike events, took her third title of the 2024 season. The Junior men’s race got underway in the sprint, with Émilien Belzile winning against Evan Moore.   

Alexa Haviland (Women U17), Carter Deveer (Men U17), Kelly Welbourn (Women 55-64), Sue Haviland (Women 45-54), Jodi Wendland (Women 35-44), James Laird (Men 65+), Jean-François Blais (Men 55-64), Aroussen Laflamme (Men 45-54) and Eric Jeannotte (Men 35-44) also took honors in their respective categories.    

Full results from the event can be found here. The 2025 Canadian Cyclo-Cross Championships will be held once again in Lévis, QC; more details on the 2025 Championships Calendar are available here.