Maghalie Rochette eyes national cyclocross title

In just one year, Maghalie Rochette has risen to the top of cyclocross racing on the North American circuit and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if she earned the elite women’s national title at the Canadian cyclocross championships held on Nov. 30 in South Surrey, B.C.

“In my opinion, the moment you step on the start line of a race, everyone is there to battle for the same thing,” Rochette told Canadian Cycling Magazine. “I would be really happy if I could pull off a flawless race and if I am able to finish feeling that I left everything on the course.”

The championship race will be held on a brand new course at the South Surrey Athletic Park. Last year, Mical Dyck won the elite women’s race ahead of Wendy Simms and Emily Batty.

“For me, as for my coach, preparation is not a matter of specificity or time; it’s a perpetual way of living,” she said. “This being said, I do consider that my preparation is done.

“For sure Catharine Pendrel will be very strong. We also can’t forget our reigning Canadian national champion Mical Dyck. Girls like Emily Batty, Sandra Walter, Wendy Simms and Natasha Elliot obviously can’t be counted out. I think it should be a very good race.”

Rochette has placed in the top-10 at UCI-ranked cyclocross races in North America while racing for the Cyclocrossworld.com team this season. She recently signed a contract with the Luna Pro Team for the mountain bike season next year. Preparations for her debut on the world-class mountain bike circuit start soon.

“Right after Nationals, I am heading to Bend for two more UCI cyclocross races,” Rochette said. “I might start focusing on mountain biking right away, but leaving out the possibility of racing cyclocross worlds is not yet in my deck of cards.”