January 29, 2019 (Bogense, Denmark) – A team of 13 riders will represent Canada at the 2019 Cyclo-cross World Championships, to be held February 2-3 in Bogense, Denmark. The team will include four reigning national champions, led by the Elite women’s and men’s champions – Maghalie Rochette of St-Jerome, Quebec, and Michael van den Ham of Abbottsford, BC.

“We’re really excited about the Canadian athletes selected for Worlds this year. The majority of the group has been in Europe racing and training together since the Namur World Cup in December”, said Scott Kelly, Program Manager for the Canadian National Cyclo-Cross Team. “In that time we’ve seen a lot of learning and a lot of progression, and it will be great to see that all culminate at the World Championships. We have an amazing group of staff volunteering to be over here and take care of these young athletes. It is because of their time and expertise that they so generously donate, and the outpouring of support of the cycling community from across Canada, that our program is able to support these athletes in Europe and we owe them all debt of gratitude.”

Men’s champion Michael van den Ham was hit by a car while training earlier in the month, but plans to be fully recovered for the world championships. “It’s been a little bit of a different build up to Worlds for me, with getting hurt in the beginning of January, but as of right now it looks like I’ll be at my sixth World Championships with Team Canada in Denmark. It’s a little tough to know what to expect out of myself for this one, but if all continues to progress I’m still shooting for a spot inside the top-30. I’m really looking forward to getting back out there with the Canadian Cyclo-cross Program and the great group of athletes we have. Regardless of how my own race goes, I think that we, as a country, are better prepared than ever to take home some banner results.”

Canadian National Team (* denotes National Champion)

Junior Men
Ryan Maclean – Edmonton, Alberta
Conor Martin – Kelowna, BC
Paul Mysko – Barrie, Ontario

Under-23 Women
Dana Gilligan – Oro Medonte, Ontario
Kelly Lawson – Barrie, Ontario
Sidney McGill – Edmonton, Alberta
Magdeleine Vallieres Mill – Sherbrooke, Quebec
Ruby West* – Dundas, Ontario

Under-23 Men
Gunnar Holmgren* – Orillia, Ontario
Tyler Orschel – Uxbridge, Ontario

Elite Women
Maghalie Rochette* – St-Jerome, Quebec

Elite Men
Cameron Jette – Toronto, Ontario
Michael van den Ham* – Abbottsford, BC

Cycling Canada does not receive government funding for Cyclo-cross programs, which means all projects are funded through sponsorships, private donations or by the athletes themselves. Any amount donated has a direct impact on the development of this sport in Canada. Make your donation here.