‘Cross across Canada and the U.S.
This past weekend, many of Canada’s top cyclocrossers faced the cold and the barriers here and abroad.
In St. Louis, 2012 Canadian cyclocross champion Mical Dyck (Stan’s NoTubes), Michael van den Ham (Cycle-Smart) and Mike Garrigan (Van Dessel)competed in the two-day Gateway Cross Cup. They faced stairs, barriers and a flyover in Heman Park. On the first day of racing, Oct. 26, Dyck placed fourth in the event won by Amanda Miller (Team Tibco-To The Top). On Day 2, Dyck was again just off the podium topped by Elle Anderson (California Giant-Specialized).
On the men’s side, van den Ham, who was Canada’s top under-23 men’s finisher at last year’s CX world championships, finished in eighth on Saturday and ninth on Sunday. Fellow countryman, Mike Garrigan finished up in fifth on the first day, and then in 15th on the second day.
I’m happy with it, happy with how my legs felt, happy with my equipment, but think there is the potential for something more tomorrow.
— Michael van den Ham (@bikemikevdh) October 27, 2013
As for the race, it went fairly well. I missed the lead group, tried to get across, but pulled my group around for a while. Finished 8th.
— Michael van den Ham (@bikemikevdh) October 27, 2013
In Laval, Que., Maghalie Rochette (Cyclocrossworld.com) held a cyclocross clinic as part of the 2013 Série de cyclocross Ékoï. After the morning clinic, it was off to the races at the Centre de la Nature for the Laval Superprestige. Raphael Gagné (Rocky Mountain Bicycles) who has been having a very strong season, won and was followed by Jérémy Martin and Jean-Philippe Thibault-Roberge. Rochette raced with the men and held her own.
Awesome day at CX Laval! Fun clinic in the morning and hard race with the men in the afternoon. Can't wait for @CycleSmartCX next WE!
— Maghalie Rochette (@MaghalieCX) October 28, 2013
@VJGoh @MaghalieCX thumbs up guys. Was a great race on a great course with great cyclists.
— Raphael Gagné (@raphaelgagne) October 28, 2013
In Ontario, a few top level racers went tubular to tubular at Baseball ‘Cross in Barrie. After some good-natured Twitter trash talking by Andrew Watson toward Peter Disera, the two faced off in the elite men’s field.
@swabag oh how unprepared I truly am
— Pete D (@Petey__D) October 27, 2013
It turns out the senior rider’s swagger was justified as he finished one minute and seven seconds ahead of the under-23 rider, who took it in stride.
@swabag hahaha by battle you mean: *zoom goes the doctor* "Well…that's an impossible gap to close"
— Pete D (@Petey__D) October 27, 2013
Nathan Chown finished in third.
Publicly, the elite women were a little more subdued, but they had a much closer race. Jamie Gilgen (Blacksmith Cycle) finished two seconds ahead of Emily Batty (Trek Factory Racing) with Antje Thamm rounding out the podium.
Racing in the Eastern Ontario Cyclocross Series, Evan McNeely returned to his old stomping grounds. He finished first at the event in Gemmill Park, Almonte, Ont.
Thanks to @ottbicycleclub for another great cross race. Legendary series that was my first bike race!
— Evan McNeely (@evanmcneely) October 27, 2013
