2025 was a sensational year for Jenn Jackson, another break-out year in what feels like a series of break-out years for the Canadian as she continues her steady march towards the top of cross country racing. The season culminated with a world championship podium in Switzerland in the short track race.
After a season spent at the front, Jackson’s heading into 2026 looking to build on that momentum. While getting to the the front of a World Cup was hard, learning to live there also had its own challenges. We talked to Jackson about how that changed her preparation for 2026, the group of under-23 Canadians thriving internationally, two of whom were chasing her in Langford, and her off-season spent on Orbea’s big bike.
Canada Cup previews potential Canadian nationals course changes – and rivals
We caught up with Jackson after she doubled up with two wins at the Langford Bike Fest / Canada Cup season opener over the weekend. The Orbea Factory Team rider said she liked the course changes, saying adding an extra descent made racing more dynamic, “even though that climb up was mega hard, it was worth it.” That is likely a preview of what the nationals course will look like when championship racing returns to Langford this summer, with Jackson looking well positioned to repeat her XCC/XCO sweep from 2025.
Two of the riders that will be looking to challenge Jackson were also in Langford over the weekend. Marin Lowe and Ella Macphee are part of a growing group of Canadian women that are making waves internationally with World Cup wins and world championships titles. Lowe, Macphee, Nicole Bradbury and Isabella and Ava Holmgren are all under-23. Jackson says she’s more focused on her own way forward than worrying when they might try take her crown.
“I think everyone’s chasing each other. I really only got towards the front last year, so it’s still really new for me and I have a lot of improvements I’m excited to keep working on,” Jackson says. “It’s exciting seeing them mature and progress as well. I think we’re all on our own journey, but hopefully converging closer to the top.”
Early start in Spain to set the stage for 2026 season
The Canada Cup opener delivered her first wins of the season, but not her first races. The double-national champion already has a few starts at the early season Spanish races where she was right back up at the front of the field. She says that, after 2025,…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…