This past weekend the team returned to Missoula, Montana with two races on the schedule, Saturday’s Thunder Cross and Sunday's Pan-American Cyclocross Championship race. Friday's pre-ride showed a dry, dusty and fast course but with bouts of rain and slush over the weekend, the course became tackier by the day. Saturday's C2 race was a good warm-up on the course and a helpful test to see where riders stood in the field.
I was happy with how I felt and my battle with Isabella Holmgren on Saturday, hoping to make up for last year's disappointment when I had to DNF the race due to severe leg cramps late in the race. On Sunday, over the course of 6 laps, Isabella Holmgren (CAN), Katie Clouse (USA), Natalie Quinn (USA), and I battled it out with many attacks by Clouse and Quinn on the straights and regroupings in the corners. Knowing Holmgren's strength as defending Pan-Am Champion and from her win in Saturday’s race, we knew she was one to watch and not let get too far.
The aggressive racing with repeated attacks led Holmgren, Clouse and I to break away in the last few laps, but with none of us able to make a move stick and break away from the group. I was feeling good with my riding and was able to take advantage of technical sections and cornering for recovery in the group after hard efforts. With such a short finishing straight, I knew I had to be either the first or second wheel coming around the final corner though all my efforts to move into position throughout the final lap were being shut down. I knew I had one more shot coming into pit two to get around the girls and luckily I was able to clear it to make a move heading into the final off-camber section to overtake both Clouse and Holmgren. From there it was basically all out to the finish resulting in a three-rider sprint where I took the win in the Elite Women’s field marking my first ever Pan American Championship! This weekend has been great momentum heading into the next leg of my cyclocross season with Canadian Nationals on November 16th and the start of the World Cup Season in Europe shortly after.
Cervelo OrangeLivings's medal count did not end there, Kaya put on a great fight and showed her strength riding at the front of the race early and fighting back into third position after a stumble resulting in a mechanical. Luke also had a great race at his first U23 Pan Ams where he rode in the front group throughout the race and finished with a super strong 5th place. Jules went down hard in Saturday's race but came back the next day ready for more and had many awesome battles during the Elite Men’s race and came away with a great 9th place. Scott started out the weekend with a great battle on Saturday coming away with a silver in a sprint finish and was ready to fight for every position again on Sunday! Unfortunately a dropped chain cost him his position in the lead group half way through the race but he was able to get a new bike and keep racing to chase back a fourth place finish!
This weekend was extra special in my eyes with there being such a large local contingency making the trip from home down to Montana. I was spoiled to see so many familiar faces throughout the days, catch up with friends, and hear cheers from people who I grow up racing around in Alberta! Much of our team also had family out this weekend to cheer and help us up the hills and across the finish line, we’re so grateful to have such amazing support!
Thank you to the team, Chris, Charlie, and everyone supporting us to achieve these results this season!
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