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Silver Goose returns to crown first ever junior women’s Pan-American champion

Pan American Championships back in Midland, Ont. for a second straight year

Silver Goose Pan-American championships

Silver Goose is bringing Pan-American Cyclocros Championships back to Canada for a second straight year. After a resoundingly successful first year, the second edition is already promising to be historic.

Along with Canada’s Maghalie Rochette returning to try and defend her 2018 Pan-American title, this year will mark the debut of junior women’s championship racing at Pan-Ams.

Silver Goose Pan-American championships
Silver Goose Pan-American cyclocross championships elite women’s podium: Ellen Noble (2nd), Maghalie Rochette (1st), Kaitlin Keough (3rd)

Silver Goose’s second run

In 2018, Silver Goose became the first Canadian venue to host the Pan-American Cyclocross Championships, North America’s UCI continental championship event.

Maghalie Rochette (Specialized X Feedback Sports) was the elite women’s winner that year. The Canadian earned the continental title on home soil in a thrilling duel with Ellen Noble (Trek Factory Racing). Rochette is back for another year, looking to defend her championship title.

“I’m looking forward to going back to Midland for the Pan Am Championships,” said Rochette. “A championship race is always special because there is something on the line. It’s the one race where the winner takes all, so those races always bring a fierce competition. Everyone brings their A game. It’s been a good season for me so far, I’ve been enjoying racing and working hard, so I’m excited for more racing this coming weekend.”

Silver Goose Pan-American championships
Van den Ham in the lead early on at 2018 Silver Goose Pan-American championships

In the Men’s race, Michael van den Ham will be back, looking for redemption after coming a hear-wrenching second to American Curtis White at the inaugural Silver Goose Pan-Ams.

Photograph by Aidas Odonelis

Junior Women make Pan-American debut

2019 will witness the debut of the new junior women’s championship category, giving Silver Goose the opportunity to crown the first ever junior women’s Pan American champion.

The category made its national debut last weekend at Canadian cyclocross championships in Peterborough, Ont. That race was won by Emilly Johnston (Naked Factory Racing) of Comox, B.C. The following day, Johnston raced to fourth in the combined elite, under-23 and jr. women’s UCI C2 race, behind race winner Jenn Jackson (Giant-Easton p/b Transitions Life Care).

“This will also be the first time in history that a Junior Women’s title will be awarded at the Pan American Championships,” said Josh Peacock, Events Manager at Cycling Canada, “a positive step forward towards women’s parity in the sport.”

Masters championship events take place Saturday, November 9. Masters events will be followed by a UCI C2 event for elites and junior men. On Sunday, junior, under-23 and elite Pan-American championship events take centre stage.