Canada’s Michael van den Ham finishes second at Jingle Cross

Canada’s Michael van den Ham earned one of the best results of his cyclocross career Sunday, finishing second behind winner Jamie Driscoll on the third day of Jingle Cross in Iowa City. Van den Ham broke away early, riding clear with a group of eight on the snowy, frozen course. Driscoll attacked the break on the fourth lap, riding away solo, never to be seen from again. Van den Ham and Kerry Werner were the strongest of the remaining group, battling together to the finish where they sprinted for second. Van den Ham proved fastest of the two, earning himself the higher step on the podium and his second career top-three in a UCI race.

In the women’s contest, Courtenay McFadden claimed the win with a late charge to overtake Katerina Nash, who had won on Friday and Saturday. Nash had been on the attack since the early laps, where she rode clear with Canada’s Maghalie Rochette. Rochette faded quickly, eventually finishing tenth, but Nash held out, coming to the last lap in front, looking set for a three-peat. Courtenay McFadden was on a mission however. She managed to make the pass the Czech at the last minute to beat her by a mere six seconds. Sunny Gilbert came in third, 41 seconds back. Canada’s Mical Dyck had a strong ride, finishing thirteenth, her best result of the weekend.

I'm hugely excited to take home my second UCI podium with @TrekRedTruck today @Jinglecross. Great course, great organization, great weekend.

— Michael van den Ham (@bikemikevdh) November 17, 2014