World champions Mathieu van der Poel and Fem van Empel took more wins at the latest round of the UCI CX World Cup in Briançon, France, but there were several Canadians racing as well. Although three Canadians were slated to start in the elite women’s race, none of them ultimately participated. Katelyn Walcroft of Competitive Edge Racing, Mia De Martin representing Canada, and Dorothee Perron also representing Canada were all DNS. It’s been a busy week of racing during the KerstePeriod (the Christmas cross), and fatigue is definitely setting in. Even van der Poel himself said it was catching up to him; he won’t be racing Monday’s Superprestige. There were no Canadian entrants in the elite men’s race.
Canada’s Rafaelle Carrier wins two World Cup junior races on consecutive days
There were Canadians racing in the under-23 men’s and junior women’s and men’s races. Ian Ackert, after some impressive rides in recent elite races, took a strong fifth. Alexander Woodford finished 45th, with Maxime St. Onge not finishing. In the junior men’s race, Émilien Belzile was top Canuck in 38th. Tristan Taillefer was 54th, Evan Moore 62nd, Sagan Goertz 63rd, and Grayson Franks 65th.
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In the junior women’s race, UCI World Cup leader Rafaelle Carrier finished sixth. After multiple wins so far this season, the Lac-Beauport, Que. rider said she was still recovering from illness but was content with her ride. She maintains the overall lead as well. Aislin Hallahan was 20th, Lily Rose Marois 24th, and Nico Knoll was 30th.
There are several Candians racing at the Superprestige Diegem but only in the elite women’s and junior men’s category on Monday. You can watch the races on FloBikes.com The next big ‘cross race takes place on New Year’s Day, the 2025 Trofee GP Sven Nys, named, of course after the former world champion.
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