November 10, 2018 (Peterborough, Ont.) – Snow and bitter cold conditions greeted riders for the 2018 Shimano Canadian Cyclocross Championships in Nicholls Oval Park at Peterborough, Ont. where 11 titles were awarded as fans cheered on their favourites.

Headlining the day were Alberta’s Michael van den Ham (Garneau – Easton P/B Transitions Life Care) who defended his Elite Men’s title while Quebec’s Maghalie Rochette (Cx Fever P/B Specialized) reclaimed the Elite Women’s crown which followed her historic victory at the Pan Am CX Championships the previous weekend.

The day kicked off with the Masters competitions where six jerseys were up for grabs. Then the Junior and U23 Men took the start line followed by the Elite Men. The Elite and U23 women finished off a stellar day of racing as 11 champions were crowned.

Rochette was unstoppable in the Elite Women’s 15km 5-lap race as she quickly gapped the field and extended her lead to 1:34 over second-placed Jenn Jackson (AWI Racing P/B The Crank and Sprocket). Sandra Walter (Liv Cycling Canada) challenged her but in the end Jackson prevailed for the silver and Walter settled for bronze.

“The weather was typically Canadian for the championships and the conditions kept changing this weekend. First it was snowing and then it was muddy, and the sun came out and it got even muddier. But then it started getting really cold and the course started to freeze so you had to be careful on every corner,” said Rochette in our post-race interview.

“My plan was to start fast and see where everyone was at. At the first technical section I went really hard which I’d tried in the pre-ride and I got a gap so I kept pushing. It’s great to win the title again and the fans were great and thanks to everyone who was cheering,” she concluded.

Jackson was stoked as well. “It’s real! 2nd at Nationals today! Truly honoured to be a competitor in the Canadian women’s field, and so grateful to share this amazing race and result with my family (dad was 3rd in his race!), team, and friends. Thank you, thank you so much,” she tweeted.

The Elite Men’s 7-lap 21km race saw former champ, Raphael Gagne (Silverback-OMX), get the hole-shot and immediately gap the field as a group of four protagonists formed at the front with Van den Ham, Geoff Kabush (Yeti Maxxis Shimano) and Marc-Andre Fortier (Pivot-OTE) chasing.

Van den Ham caught and passed Gagne on the third lap and then Kabush did the same and began challenging for the lead. On the penultimate lap it looked like the defending champ was in control as Fortier took over third. Kabush surged on the final lap but an elated Van den Ham won his second consecutive title with a valiant fist punch as he crossed the line.

“When I saw the conditions I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. The only result I was going to be happy with was a win and I know how good and smooth Kabush is in this kind of weather. I knew I had to deliver and when I crossed the finishline I was even more excited than when I won the first time,” said Van den Ham.

“Raph’s (Gagne) has always been a good starter and I think that worked in my favour as it made us all work harder early on where I’m stronger. After catching him I just needed to hold off Kabush and I’m really happy to win again. It’s a bit of redemption after coming so close to winning the Pan Ams last weekend. No one wants to be a one-hit wonder and I don’t need a new kit now as well,” he quipped.

Ruby West (Specialized Ten Speed Hero) handily defended her U23 Women’s title in her 12km race, while Gunnar Homgren (Hardwood Next Wave) took home his first U23 Men’s jersey winning the 18 km competition. In the Junior Men’s 15km race it was Carter Woods (Naked Factory Team) winning the title with fast legs as he would have been fourth in the U23 men’s race.

In the Master races that kicked off the championships Sarah Gilchrist (AB) Edmonton Road & Track took the Women’s 35-44 title while Lisa Holmgren (ON) Hardwood Next Wave Cycling Team was the Women 45+ winner. James Laird ( Independent) earned the Men 65+ jersey while Bob Bergman (Ont) Canadian Cycling Magazine. took the Men’s 55-64 victory. Jean-Francois Blais (QC) Trek Cyclocross Collective won a close race in the Men’s 45-54 category over Robert Holmgren (ON) Hardwood Next Wave Cycling Team in second. Matt Staneland (Independent) won the Master Men 35-44 title over Thierry Laliberte (QC) YPC Bolle.

Full results here.