Gallery: Elite women’s and men’s C2 racing at Silver Goose

It’s only Day 1 of Silver Goose Pan-American cyclocross championships, but already the racing is heating up.

A bit of snow didn’t stop Maghalie Rochette from laying down a scorching hot race to win Saturday’s elite women’s C2 race, making her the favorite for tomorrows championship event.

On the men’s side, a constantly changing lead group left plenty of names on the table for tomorrow, though Stephen Hyde’s stars and stripes flew off the front with some speed to take the win Saturday.

Here’s all the action from Saturday’s elite C2 races at 2019 Silver Goose Pan-American cyclocross championships.

Women’s Elite Silver Goose UCI C2 – Saturday, November 9, 2019

Ruby West and Jenn Jackson on the start line of Saturday's C2 race. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Maghalie Rochette jumped out to the lead early and never looked back. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Clara Honsinger looked strong in second. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Jenn Jackson focused on her way to fourth. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Katie Clouse navigates Silver Goose's slippery mud on her way to third on Saturday. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Ruby West is looking to have recovered well from a crash at nationals, riding into fifth in Midland. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

After a second last year at Silver Goose, Ellen Noble (Trek Factory Racing) was in 16th Saturday. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Emilly Johnston may be a junior still, but she rode to 14th among the elites and under-23s in Midland. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Raylyn Nuss climbs to seventh on Saturday. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Samantha Runnels (Squid x Eliel) finished seventh. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Nicole Bradbury (NCCH Elite) racing up from junior to 25th in the elite women's race. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Rochette solos to the win. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Clouse chases. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Jenn Jackson navigates the mud. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Runnells in the slippery mud chute. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Rochette was off the front, but she wasn’t the only Canadian animating the race. Jenn Jackson and Ruby West were just off the podium, in fourth and fifth on Saturday. What can they do for Sunday’s big race?

Men’s Elite Silver Goose UCI C2 – Saturday, November 9, 2019

Michael van den Ham was pushing hard near the front of Saturday's racing. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Stephen Hyde and 2018 Silver Goose under-23 champ Gage Hecht. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Carter Woods running near the front of the elite men's race on his way to 12th. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Quinton Disera riding to 16th Saturday in Midland. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Squid X Eliel's Benjamin Gomez-Villafane of California. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Brannan Fix chases Disera on Saturday. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

But it was Hyde on the front at the end of the race. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Hecht chased, but couldn't hold Hyde's wheel. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Van den Ham held on for fourth on Saturday. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

James Driscoll made a late race surge to pass the Canadians and claim third. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Cody Kaiser and Eric Brunner run the triple set of Granite stairs at this year's Silver Goose. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Gomez-Villafane slides around a sketchy Silver Goose corner. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Hecht looking relaxed after his win. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Driscoll happy after a solid Saturday effort. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Stephen Hyde looked fast on Saturday, taking a comfortable win. But it was Gunnar Holmgren who had the lead at the end of Lap 1. The Canadian is racing under-23 tomorrow, where he’ll face today’s second place finisher Gage Hecht. Was the hometown kid saving something for Sunday? Or will Hecht repeat his dominant performance from 2018’s under-23 race?