2024 Canadian ‘cross nationals picks

One more sleep! On Saturday, Canadian athletes will battle it out at the 2024 Canadian cyclocross championships, in Lévis, Que., on Saturday.

The weather forecast is 6°C, with chances of flurries or rain—so that might mean a mega slog for the riders. In ‘cross, some riders prefer the mud and slop—Maghalie Rochette, for example, making her return to the ‘cross nats, loves the mud. Either way, it should make for some spectacular racing.

Maghalie Rochette on upcoming season: ‘The CX fever is still burning hot!’

A muddy course can wreak havoc on equipment too—and mechanicals can affect the outcome of the race.

Junior women

In the junior women’s race, there is one outstanding favourite, Rafaëlle Carrier. The defending champion had a silver at the 2024 MTB worlds, and recently announced she would be supported by Arkéa-B&B Hotels as well as ride stagiaire for them in 2025. She has to be considered the odds-on favourite, barring disasters.

Junior men

In the junior men’s, it’s not as clear-cut. Ethan Wood won in the under-17 race in 2023, but has graduated to junior. Could he snag another maple leaf jersey? Riders like Evan Moore and Emilien Belzile will definitely be a challenge.

Under-23 women

The Holmgren twins are once again taking the divide-and-conquer approach. Isabella Holmgren is the woman to beat, without a doubt. She’s the former junior world champion in both ‘cross and XCO, and took two rainbow jerseys as an under-23 at the MTB worlds.

Under-23 men

Jayden McMullen is racing the under-23 after a fine year, including a 24th at the junior worlds. Although Ian Ackert is registered in this category, turns out he will be racing the elite race.

Could Ian Ackert be the first Canadian elite man to finish top-10 at the CX worlds?

Elite women

The elite women’s field is chock-full of heavyweights. Ava Holmgren is back to defend her title—but she faces stiff competition with recently crowned Pan Am Champ Sidney McGill. Also, as mentioned, Rochette will be back after several years’ absence to try and take another maple leaf jersey. No matter what happens, this should be a helluva race. Ava Holmgren is also a fan of the mud. In 2023, after her win she was happy for the conditions. “I was expecting it to be slick no matter what. Even if it dried up a bit, it was still going to be a mudder,” she said. “I really enjoy those conditions; it’s a lot of fun.”

Elite men

Same goes for the elite men. Although 2023 Champ Tyler Clark, or Israel Premier Tech Academy’s Luke Valenti, won’t be there to challenge defending champ Evan Russell, there are several others vying for the crown. Another Holmgren, Gunnar, will be hungry to snag another jersey, as well as Emile Hamm or MTB star Léandre Bouchard. And don’t forget Ackert: The 19-year-old ‘cross and MTB rider took sixth at the 2024 ‘cross worlds in the under-23 category and has been on good form this season. He will be racing up a category in the elite race.

Canadian Cycling Magazine will be at the races, so be sure to check our site, as well as Instagram and X, for reports and photos.