Christel Ferrier-Bruneau powers to elite women’s Canadian cyclocross title
Defending champ Rochette comes in second
In a thrilling head-to-head battle, Christel Ferrier-Bruneau won the elite women’s cyclocross title ahead of defending champion Maghalie Rochette in Sherbrooke, Que. Mical Dyck was third.
Defending champion Rochette got the hole shot off the start. Ferrier-Bruneau was locked on her wheel for the first lap and a half but Rochette started applying the pressure and with two laps behind them she had a gap of a couple of seconds. Mical Dyck rode in third with Sandra Walter in fourth.
On the next lap, Ferrier-Bruneau came storming back and launched past the defending champion who was unable to respond.
For the final two laps, Ferrier-Bruneau extended her lead holding off a spent Rochette.
Ferrier-Bruneau, who’s won two French national road titles, made a return in 2017 to professional racing after retiring in 2013. A dual citizen with multiple podium finishes at French ‘cross nationals, Ferrier-Bruneau took her first Canadian and cyclocross national title in style.
In the under-23 women’s race, Ruby West of Dundas, Ont., took her second national title. Magdeleine Vallieres Mill was second and Dana Gilligan rounded out the podium in third.
