October 10, 2009 (Edmonton, AB) – The wind has receded a bit and the flurries have subsided for the start of the Elite women’s race with 16 starters ready to contest the 2009 Cyclocross National title in Edmonton. The Junior Men will ride at the same time… the riders are being called up and the race will soon be underway for 40min of racing.

Lap 1
Natasha Elliott (ON) Garneau Club Chausseurs Ogilvy jumped into lead in the women’s race. Pepper Harlton (AB) Juventus a last minute wild card entry is up there with Alison Sydor (BC) Maxxis-Rocky Mountain.

Connor O’Brien (Specialized-EMD Serono) from Ottawa is leading the Junior Men’s race.

Sydor has jumped into the lead after Harlton went down taking Elliott with her in the bowl near the 1/2 way point.

Lap 2
O’Brien is still leading the Junior men – follow by Kris Dahl (AB) CMC-Bow and Mackenzie Carson (AB) Juventus – the others are strung out behind.

Sydor and Harlton are 1-2 with Elliott at 15 sec. – the rest are further back.

Lap 3 – 2:54/4:54 pm
O’Brien is in front with Dahl in second as Carson crashes and Kiernan Orange (QC) Ride With Randell is with him now.

Sydor and Harlton continue to lead with Sydor pushing and Harlton looking strained to stay on her wheel. Elliott is just behind at 12 sec trying to make up ground.

Lap 4
Dahl is now leading with O’Brien in second and Orange takes over 3rd as Carson crashed.

Sydor has a big lead of 25-30 seconds over Harlton with Elliott trailing by another 20 seconds.

Lap 5 Final
Dahl and O’Brien are together as they hit the bowl with Orange in 3rd as Carson is dropped.

Sydor looks strong with 45s on Harlton as Elliott is 15 sec. behind trying to catch her with only half a lap to go.

Sydor takes it and adds cyclocross to her road and MTB titles making her the first Canadian rider to win a national title for all three disciplines.

Unofficial

Junior Men

1. Kris Dahl (AB) CMC-Bow
2. Connor O’Brien (ON) Specialized-EMD Serono 0:06
3. Kiernan Orange (QC) Ride With Randell

Elite Women

1. Alison Sydor (BC) Maxxis-Rocky Mountain
2. Pepper Harlton (AB) Juventus 0:50
3. Natasha Elliott (ON) Garneau Club Chausseurs Ogilvy 1:10