July 20, 2019 (Barrie, ON) – Hot and muggy conditions greeted riders as 14 titles were awarded at the 2019 Canadian XCO Championships on Saturday headlined by Emily Batty (ON) Trek Factory and Peter Disera (ON) Norco Factory who once again defended their Elite Women’s and Men’s titles respectively at Hardwood Ski and Bike near Barrie Ontario.
In the 4-lap Elite Women’s race, 24km, Haley Smith (ON) Norco Factory took the holeshot and early lead with Batty and Jennifer Jackson (ON) AWI Racing just behind. Catharine Pendrel (Clif Pro Team) slotted into fourth, but Smith miscued on a rocky section and dropped her chain as Batty took over the lead and Jackson joined Pendrel in the chase.
Batty, the defending champ, extended her lead over Pendrel as Jackson fell back and was caught and passed by Sandra Walter (BC) Liv Canada who took over third. At the finish Batty had over a minute lead claiming her fourth consecutive title with Pendrel second and Walter securing the bronze.
“I’m stoked to be riding in the maple leaf jersey again for another year. It’s been a slower start to the season but it all felt great today with my new bike and the crowd support – great to win at home again,” said Batty.
In the 30km Elite Men’s 5-lap affair Peter Disera took the hole-shot and no prisoners en route to his third consecutive jersey as a posse of contenders tried in vein to contain him led by Léandre Bouchard (QC) Pivot Cycles-OTE.
But none could match Disera’s pace and by the finish he too had a substantial lead of 1:34 with Bouchard taking the silver and his teammate Marc-andre Fortier (QC) the bronze.
“Always excited to race at home and with Quinton winning as well it’s great for the team,” said Disera. “This is week five of racing for me so I’m a bit tired, but coming off my recent great World Cup results everyone’s been super supportive so it’s great to make it a hat-trick of national titles.”
U23/Junior Races
Laurie Arseneault (QC) ACQ defended her title taking an early lead and never looked back to win the U23 women’s 3-lap, 18km, race over Mackenzie Myatt (NS) Cyclesmith Cycling Club in second with Marianne Théberge (QC) Ccmsa in third.
In the 24km Under-23 Men’s 4-lap race Quinton Disera (ON) Norco Factory Team made good after teammate Sean Fincham (BC), the defending champ, suffered a mechanical soon after the start. After battling with Raphael Auclair (QC) Pivot Cycles-OTE and Tyler Orschel (ON) Durham Shredders he escaped for the win with Auclair second and Orschel third.
Emilly Johnston (BC) Pendrel Racing won her first title going wire to wire in the U19 Junior Expert Women’s, 3 lap, 18 km, race to claim a decisive victory with Magdeleine Vallieres Mill (QC) Équipe Québécor Stingray in second and Samuelle Baillargeon (QC) CVM Sigma Assurance third.
In the 24km Junior Expert Men’s race, Carter Woods (BC) Rocky Mountain Factory Team defended his title in a similar fashion taking the lead on the first lap and never looked back. Vincent Thiboutot (QC) Pivot Cycles-OTE was second and Hamish Graham (BC) Comox Bike Co won the bronze.
Nicole Bradbury (ON) NCCH Elite p/b MGCC won the U17 Women’s crown and was awarded $1,000 as the 2019 recipient of the Catharine Pendrel Youth Scholarship fund. Marin Lowe (BC) Cycling BC was second and Ella Myers (AB) Team Alberta third.
Owen Clark (ON) Team Ontario/Homestead Racing won the U17 Men’s title over Hugo Brisebois (QC) Ride with Rendall p/b Biemme in second with Médéric Carrier (QC) Dalbix Siboire third.
Masters results here.
U17/19, U23/Elite results here.
