Maghalie Rochette continues stranglehold on Rochester CX with weekend sweep

Canadian and Pan Am cyclocross champion Maghalie Rochette is no stranger to starting her cyclocross season in the northeast in fine form. At Rochester Cyclocross, Rochette dominated on the opening her ‘cross weekend of her season having swept the races to begin her 2018 season as well. On Saturday, Rochette won the C1 race and repeated in the C2 race on Sunday.

Rochette was up against a strong field of contenders with the likes of Ellen Noble, Katie Keough, Caroline Mani, Rebecca Fahringer and Clara Honsinger lining up alongside other Canadians like under-23 champion Ruby West and Jenn Jackson who was a week out from representing Canada at the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne.

Saturday

Rochette was part of an elite selection of five riders in the early going of the first lap on Saturday. Her familiarity with the course paid off as she came out of a technical section with a descent with a little gap. Instead of letting up, Rochette applied the pressure and quickly got a sizable lead. After being runner up at the mountain bike world championships in the first-ever e-bike category, Rochette displayed excellent early season form riding away from the chasers. Noble, Mani, Keough, Honsinger who made up the early lead group were joined by Jackson and Sammi Runnels.

Rochette wins her third straight here in Rochester! Hosinger and Keough round out the podium. Fahringer has crossed the line in fourth. What a great race! pic.twitter.com/ZBKla9v97s

— Rochester Cyclocross (@rochestercross) September 7, 2019

Rochette held a 32-second margin at the line to take the win ahead of Hosinger and Keough. Jackson finished in ninth while West was 12th.

Sunday

Rochette’s good form and fortunes continued on Sunday. Rochette, Keough, Mani and Noble were the fastest off the line but it only took minutes on the first lap before Rochette began to build a lead. Before long, she was out of sight of the chase of Keough, Noble, Mani and Fahringer who were over 20 seconds behind.

Rochette through the Belgian Stairs and heading into the bell lap with a lead that barring something catastrophic will bring her to her fourth straight #rochestercyclocross title pic.twitter.com/I4z03PsIp4

— Rochester Cyclocross (@rochestercross) September 8, 2019

Wearing the continental champions jersey, Rochette once again raised her arms for the win at the finish line. Hosinger and Fahringer rounded out the podium. It was Rochette’s fourth straight win at Rochester putting her stamp of dominance on the race.

The race in Upstate New York attracted a lot of Canadian ‘cross racers and fans giving Rochette a lot of support on the course. Jackson improved to seventh on Sunday with West in 10th.