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Sidney McGill motivated for her third cyclocross nationals

McGill will be vying for the youth women's title at 'cross nationals in Sherbrooke

At 17-years-old, Sidney McGill is the youngest member of the Focus CX Team Canada squad that heads to the 2016 Canadian cyclocross national championships. After finishing fourth in the under-23 race at the Pan Am championships at CincyCX, McGill will be vying for the youth women’s national title in Sherbrooke, Que. on November 5. Having raced against some of the worlds best at Cross Vegas, Jingle Cross and Pan Am’s, McGill—who represented Canada at cross country mountain bike worlds in 2016—is gaining valuable experience as she works her way up in the sport.

Sidney got her start in cyclocross three years ago with her younger sister Abbey. They are both avid mountain bikers and were racing all over their home province of Alberta when their coach suggested they try out cyclocross. Racing through mud, dirt and in the cold came naturally to them. “It’s so much fun,” McGill said soon after finishing her race at Pan-Am’s. “I find it lots of fun to go out and rip your legs apart for 40 to 50 minutes.”

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McGill is in grade 12 and as a student juggles the workload along with the rigorous cross schedule that sees her traveling throughout North America. She relies on her teachers and friends to help her catch back up once she returns from trips that keep her out of the class room. “The week I get back is always very busy,” McGill explained. “None of my school friends are cyclists but they are very helpful. They understand racing is something I love and help me study when I get back.”

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Sherbrooke will be McGill’s third time racing ‘cross nationals. “I’m very motivated, it been a big goal,” she said. McGill won the under-17 national cross country mountain bike title in 2015 and will look to add another maple leaf jersey to her wardrobe in Sherbrooke.

Follow Canadian Cycling Magazine‘s live coverage of the Canadian cyclocross national championships from Sherbrooke, Que. on November 5.