Jenn Jackson wins Day 2 of Peterborough cyclocross nationals

Drier conditions makes for very different racing than Saturday's mud

Terry McKall November 3, 2019

Photography: Nick Iwynashyn

Jenn Jackson returned to Peterborough for Sunday’s C2 race, one day after battling with Maghalie Rochette for the national championship title, with a clear goal. The Giant-Easton p/b Transitions Life Care rider was set on a win.

With the women’s field combining junior, under-23 and elite racers, her competition looked much different than the day before. In fact, in the absence of Saturday’s elite championship winner Maghalie Rochette (Specialized x Feedback Sports), it was the under-23’s that were pushing Jackson for the win.

Jackson leads with Gilligan trailing up the Wildrock run up

Dana Gilligan (Hardwood Nextwave) was third in Saturday’s under-23 women’s race. On Sunday, she found the legs to push Jackson for the entirety of the six lap women’s UCI C2 race.

Jackson finally created separation mid-way through Sunday’s event, and held on to take the win. Gilligan was never that far off, though, and finished 12 seconds behind Saturday’s elite silver medallist.

Sandra Walter smooth down Heckler’s Hill

Behind that duo, Sandra Walter (Liv International) spent much of her race riding solo in third. The Coquitlam, B.C. pro was never far enough off Gilligan and Jackson that the leaders could relax, but also never far enough ahead of the third group on course that her podium position was safe.

Sidney McGill leads Emilly Johnston and Sarah Gilchrist early on. Feeling the effort of Saturday’s u23 win, McGill would fade back to sixth

Behind her were junior national champion Emilly Johnston (Naked Factory Racing) and Edmonton’s Sarah Gilchrist (ERTC).

Walter would finish third, closing down to just 27 seconds behind Gilligan in second and race winner Jenn Jackson.

Notably, Ruby West crashed early on in the race, withdrawing after Lap 1. Her injuries appeared minor, so hopefully she will be healthy to line up at next weekend’s Silver Goose Pan American championships in Midland, Ont.