2022 Canadian cyclocross national championships

After a long wait, the Canadian cyclocross national championships are back on in Victoria, B.C. It is the first time in over a decade that Vancouver Island’s hosted the event and the first time since 2013 that nationals have returned to B.C. Layritz Park is also the first Canadian champs since 2019, after two years of postponements.

So it was fair to say fans and racers were rather excited for the return of cross, and the return of national champs to B.C. A technical course greeted riders at Layritz Park, mixing speed with tricky corners, made greasy by rain leading up to, and during the event.

Racing continued on Sunday with the Bear Crossing Grand Prix (UCI C2), giving riders one more chance to show their speed.

Weekend Gallery: Canadian cyclocross national championships

Photos from championships racing and Sunday’s UCI C2 Bear Crossing GP at Layritz Park in Victoria, B.C.

Bike Checks: Race winners and custom frames from Canadian champs

Day 2 – Bear Crossing Grand Prix (UCI C2)

Mixed categories create upheaval at Bear Crossing GP

For Day 2 of Canadian cyclocross national championships, under-23 and elite categories were combined for the Bear Crossing GP, a UCI C2 event. Isabella and Ava Holmgren caused further disruption, racing up from juniors to finish 1-2 in the elite women’s field. On the men’s side, it was Evan Russell, second in Saturday’s u23 championship race, taking the race to the elites.

The juniors had their own race as well, with Ella Smith winning on the women’s side and Ian Ackert earning his first victory in the maple leaf kit he won the day before. Full race report and results from the final day at Layritz Park.

Day 1 – Canadian cyclocross national championships (UCI CN)

Ava Holmgren races up from junior to win elite women’s national title

The elite women were Saturday’s final event and, as rain fell, wind blew and full-on darkness rapidly descended over the course (but who could have predicted when the sun would set?), one of Canada’s rising cx stars shone brightly against an established field of veteran racers. Tricky course conditions and very smart racing from the youngest rider in the field led to a victory from 17-year-old Ava Holmgren, who opted to race up into the elite women’s event. Read the race report and full interview with the young champion.

Elite men: Clark takes first title since 2019

Coming into Saturday’s event, Michael van den Ham had an iron grip on the men’s jersey having had won three consecutive titles between 2017 and 2019. It was Tyler Clark, though, that proved to be the class of a very diverse field, earning his first elite men’s title and the first awarded since Peterborough in 2019. Full results and interview with the new elite men’s cyclocross national champion.

Under-23 and junior women

With two years since the last Canadian cyclocross nationals, there were plenty of new faces in both junior and under-23 races. Vancouver Island’s own Emilly Johnston added a u23 title to her junior jersey from 2019. In the junior race, Isabella Holmgren continued her sensational season with a win in Layritz Park. Full race report and interviews with the new champions.

Under-23 and junior men

Two new champions emerged from the junior men’s and under-23 men’s races, as well as some serious battle for the podium positions. See who walked away from Layritz Park with the jerseys and hardware on Saturday.

Masters national championships

Masters were the first championship categories on course on Saturday. Early races made for brisk temperatures. Check out who the newest Canadian masters champions are as well as results from all the age-group racing.