Ackert and Valenti take Jr. and U23 men’s national titles at Layritz Park

After a morning of Master’s racing, the under-23 and junior men were the first elite championship categories on course at Canadian cyclocross nationals at Layritz Park in Victoria, B.C.. With deep fields in both events, racing was tight.

Ian Ackert Soloed to the junior men’s cyclocross national title, while a solid battle for podium positions played out behind him.

In under-23s, Luke Valenti dueled Vancouver Island local Evan Russell for the win.

Elite men’s results to follow.

Under-23 men: A first-time champion

The under-23 men’s race witnessed solid battles throughout the field. Luke Valenti (Toronto Hustle) and Vancouver Island local Evan Russell (Saris Rouvy Sauerland Team) edged out to a small lead in the opening laps. Behind, Alexandre Woodford (Ride with Rendall), Cody Scott (Giant Canada) and Owen Clark (CHC Armada) chased.

It wasn’t until the mid-way point of the six-lap race that Valenti was able to create a gap over Russell, and not until the final lap that the lead looked secure.

“The race didn’t really go to plan,” Valenti says of the strong challenge from Russell. “I was trying to go right from the start and take the race on as hard as I could and build a gap in the first few laps. That didn’t happen, I didn’t get a gap until a little later in the race. It wasn’t what I was expecting to do, but it worked out.”

The Toronto Hustle racer eventually finished 53 seconds ahead, winning the under-23 men’s cyclocross national title.

“It feels really good. I mean, I’ve never won a national champs before, so I’m really happy,” Valenti said after the finish. “I liked the couse, I liked the corners. It was technical, slick, everything you want in a cross course.”

The win at Layritz Park ends Valenti’s 2022 season. After a brief break, he’s gearing up to join his new team, Premier-Tech U23, for the 2023 road season.

Behind the two leaders, Owen Clark and Cody Scott battled until the last lap for the final podium position. Clark surged to 10 third while Scott held pace to…