September 05, 2014 (Hafjell, Norway) – Jolanda Neff (Switzerland) defended her title with a convincing win in the 5-lap U23 Women’s 21km race as Margot Moschetti (France) claimed the silver with a late race charge. Linda Indergand gave Switzerland a second podium spot claiming 3rd. The top Canadian was Haley Smith in 23rd with Maghalie Rochette 24th, Catherine Fleury 28th, Rachel Pageau 30th and Frederique Trudel was – 1 lap.

Michiel van der Heijden (Netherlands) was unstoppable in U23 Men’s 25.2km race taking over the lead on the fourth lap and never looked back. Canada’s Leandre Bouchard had a good day in the saddle establishing himself in 9th early on and dropped back to 10th but had a strong finish to claim 8th. Jordan Sarrou (France), who was in the top three all race, and leading during lap four, took home the silver. Howard Grotts (United States of America) put in strong final lap to pass Jan Vastl (Czech Republic) for the final podium spot. Canada’s Mitchell Bailey was riding well and moved up into 17th from the 30s but suffered a crash and regained some ground to finish 31st.

Results

U23 Women

1. Jolanda Neff (Switzerland) 1:17:49
2. Margot Moschetti (France) 1:47
3. Linda Indergand (Switzerland) 1:53
4. Yana Belomoina (Ukraine) 3:08
5. Jovana Crnogorac (Serbia) 3:25
6. Helen Grobert (Germany) 3:47
7. Alice Barnes (Great Britain) 4:50
8. Pauline Ferrand Prevot (France) 5:36
9. Ramona Forchini (Switzerland) 5:40
10. Lisa Mitterbauer (Austria) 5:48

23. Haley Smith (Canada) 10:42
24. Maghalie Rochette (Canada) 10:51
28. Catherine Fleury (Canada) 12:45
30. Rachel Pageau (Canada) 13:32
38. Frederique Trudel (Canada) – 1 lap

Full results here.

U23 Men
1. Michiel van der Heijden (Netherlands) 1:18:40
2. Jordan Sarrou (France) 0:49
3. Howard Grotts (United States of America) 1:12
4. Jan Vastl (Czech Republic) 1:28
5. Grant Ferguson (Great Britain)  1:39
6. Anton Cooper (New Zealand) 1:56
7. Julian Schelb (Germany) 2:28
8. Leandre Bouchard (Canada) 2:35
9. Andri Frischknecht (Switzerland) 2:56
10. James Reid (South Africa) 3:16

31. Mitchell Bailey (Canada) 8:09
38. Peter Disera (Canada) 9:11
63. Evan McNeely (Canada) -1 Lap
DNF Jeremy Martin (Canada)

Full results here.