Podium celebrations closeout the 2017 Canadian cyclocross championships
National titles handed out at the end of a beautiful day in Sherbrooke, Que.
A day celebrating cyclocross racing in Canada concluded with the podium ceremony at Parc Jacques-Cartier in Sherbrooke, Que. on Saturday. Gathered were Canada’s top racers who throughout the day battled on the technical course on an absolutely gorgeous warm autumn day.
While the earlier masters and youth races faced a still wet and muddy course, by the time the elites raced the mud had mostly been packed down making for fast racing.
Evan Holmgren topped the podium in the under-15 category
Ian Ackert topped the U15 men's race and was flanked by Médéric Carrier (L) and Colton Bartholomew (R)
Emilly Johnston won the U17 race.
Darwin Osler took the top step in the U17 race.
Caitlin Callaghan began Canadian women's 30-39 champion.
Alana Heise (C),Nicole Muzechka (R) and Michelle Jackman topped the podium in the 30+ category.
Men's 40-49 champion Aroussen Laflamme.
Michel Hamel became 60+ men's champion
Tyler Clark won the junior men's race ahead of Colton Woods and William Cote.
Tyler Clark with the CX Fever hot lap prize.
Ruby West took her second career under-23 title., Magdeleine Vallieres Mill was second and Dana Gilligan third.
West got the CX Fever hot lap prize.
Raphael Auclair became under-23 champion ahead of Brody Sanderson and Trevor O'Donnell.
Brody Sanderson gets the CX Fever hot lap prize from Rochette
Ferrier-Bruneau with her three-year-old son on the top step of the podium.
Geoff Kabush and Mark 'Hot Sauce' McConnell shake on the podium.
Michael Van den Ham took the victory in style
The 2017 Canadian champions!
The day was capped by the elite races in which Canada got two first-time elite cyclocross champion. Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (SAS-Macogep) was locked in a close head-to-head battle with Maghalie Rochette (Clif Team) until pulling away for the win with two laps to go. Mical Dyck, the 2015 champion, came third.
Michael Van den Ham (Garneau-Easton) also won solo, strategically picking his spot to take off with a couple of laps remaining. Geoff Kabush (Scott Sports- Maxxis) mounted a strong chase as Mark McConnell (Hot Sauce Cycling) took his first elite cyclocross podium.
