This could be a(nother) very special ‘cross worlds for Canada

UPDATE: Ava Holmgren and Aislin Hallahan will not be racing.

There was a time when only a handful of Canadians would head to the ‘cross worlds and to be top-30 was a major accomplishment. This year, Canada is sending 23 riders) and a few of them are favourites for rainbow jerseys and hardware. The 2025 worlds are in Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 in Liévin, France.

Two years ago, Isabella Holmgren made history becoming the first Canadian to not only medal–but win a ‘cross world championship. A few seconds later, her sister became the second, taking silver.

The Holmgrens

Both Holmgrens will be racing the under-23 race and are strong favourites for the podium. Could Bella add (another!) rainbow jersey to her victory closet? Will her sister join her as well? In 2024, at Tabor they had solid rides, with Bella taking 4th after a rough start. Had there been one more lap, she may very well have caught Leonie Bentveld for the bronze.

That was also the twins’ first year racing under-23. They both have a year of WorldTour racing under their belt—and each having some good rides. Bella was second at the Tour de l’Avenir, and Ava had some impressive rides in Europe including a second at Stage 4 of the Tour de Normandie. Both women have had some impressive rides in their condensed ‘cross season. Bella just finished 12th at the elite women’s UCI World Cup, and Ava finished third at the Sven Nys round X2O Trofee in Baal behind world champ Fem van Empel and Lucinda Brand.

The under-23 women’s roster includes the Holmgren sisters, Mia De Martin, Dorothee Perron, and Marie-Fay St Onge.

Ian Ackert

In the under-23 men’s category, Ian Ackert, Alexander Woodford, and Maxime St Onge will rep Canada. Ackert is looking for another big ride—he was sixth at the 2024 edition. Ackert has been impressive all season and could very well podium if he is consistent and avoids bad luck. You may remember at the 2022 worlds, racing as a junior, he was DFL after the first lap. He had some of the fastest laps–quicker than the eventual winner, Jan Christen, and rode his way to eighth.

The elite women’s team will be Sidney McGill, Katelyn Walcroft, and Christiane Bilodeau. We won’t be seeing Maghalie Rochette after her injury and illness following a strong start to the season. In the elite men’s category, Tyler Clark and Cody Scott are selected.

Carrier’s race to win

Rafaelle Carrier will lead the junior women, along with Nico Knoll, Aislin Hallahan, Lily-Rose Marois, and Maya Tasse. Carrier is a huge favourite for the race, having just won the UCI Cyclocross World Cup—another first for Canada. The Lac-Beauport, Que. rider has been supported from Arkea-B&B Hotels this 2024-2025 cyclocross season. That includes logistical and material backing for her World Cup races in Europe. The 17-year-old Carrier is no stranger to big rides at the worlds: She won silver at the 2024 UCI junior XC mountain bike championships this past summer.

Junior Émilien Belzile on the shock of first Euro ‘cross races

In the junior men’s category, Emilien Belzile, Tristan Taillefer, Sagan Goertz, Monty Rigby, and Farland Lamont are headed to France. Belzile has had a solid season in Europe with a notable third at X2O Trofee Baal – GP Sven Nys 2025. Could he break the top-10 at the worlds?

This could be a very special weekend indeed, so you’re not going to want to miss it.

The racing runs from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4, and Canadian Cycling Magazine will be in France for the races. Check our website, X, Instagram, and BlueSky for full reports.