2013 Manitoba cyclocross championships

On Sunday, Manitoba’s top cyclocross racers competed at the Forks Park in Winnipeg for the coveted provincial champion’s jersey. Under-23 rider Chris Prendergast won both the overall and under-23 men’s race. He finished ahead of second place finisher Daniel Enns who won the masters 30+ age category. Jayson Gillespie won the elite men’s race as the top placed finisher.

The women’s race was won by pro roadie, Leah Kirchmann (Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies) who completed five laps of the course 1:20 ahead of Anna Schappert (Dark Red Racing).  In the junior women’s category, Alex Bairos-Novak (Team Manitoba) won ahead of Natalie Young (Devo Manitoba).

The weather was frigid, perhaps mimicking the coldest of Belgian days deep into the ‘cross season. The elements of the day provided the perfect environment for a cyclocross race. The 3-km route was both technical and challenging. With the historic backdrop of the Forks Park, the atmosphere was also positive and spectator friendly. Riders were heckled and cheered in true cyclocross fashion.

The event’s organizers, Dark Red Racing are keen to expand their prowess as race directors. They have an open bid with Cycling Canada Cyclisme to host the 2014 national cyclocross championships. The popularity of cyclocross is rapidly growing in Manitoba which bodes well for the future. Given that the provincial race on Sunday went smoothly and was well received, as a test event perhaps it is a precursor of things to come.

Full results are posted at Dark Red Racing.