ROCHETTE AND WEST WIN PAN AM CYCLOCROSS TITLES
Midland, ON (November 11, 2019) – Two Canadian riders won Pan Am Cyclocross Championships on Sunday in Midland, Ontario. Ruby West (Pivot Maxxis p/b Stans NoTubes) took the U23 women’s title, as Canadians swept the podium, while Maghalie Rochette (Specialized/Feedback Sports) repeated as the continental champion in the Elite women’s race.
Both Rochette and West won in dominating fashion, riding away from the rest of their respective fields on the opening lap of their races. West won by 1:37 over Dana Gilligan (Hardwood Next Wave), with Canadian champion Sidney McGill (Pedalhead Race Room) rounding out the all Canadian U23 women’s podium.
“I knew today was going to be a bit of a mess out there and it would be a race about staying controlled and smooth,” explained West. “I tried to just stay in my comfort zone and ride the lines I knew. I kept it within my limits and that helped a lot. Last weekend was a pretty disappointing [when she lost the national title] and that definitely added some fire to the belly. I saw two laps in that I had a gap and I was telling myself ‘use that anger from last week’, and it definitely gave me a little push.”
Rochette, who won the national title last weekend, beat American Clara Honsinger (Team S&M CX) by 40 seconds in the Elite women’s race. Jennifer Jackson (Easton-Giant p/b Transitions LifeCare) was the only other Canadian in the top-10, finishing fifth.
“My goal was to start really fast and see if people could follow me or not,” said Rochette. “The conditions were really slippery, so I knew it wasn’t going to be group racing. So I decided to start fast; it’s easier to ride by yourself in those conditions, so I figured I would try to go from the front. It’s cool; I’m the one who gets to wear the jersey, but it’s teamwork and there’s a lot of people behind these jerseys.”
In other Canadian results, Tyler Clark (Brevard College) was the top Canadian in sixth in the U23 men’s race. Emilly Johnston (Pendrel Racing/Naked Factory Team) finished fourth in the Junior women’s race and Michael van den Ham (Easton-Giant p/b Transitions LifeCare) was sixth in the Elite men’s competition.
For full results, click here.
