It wasn’t a big Canadian contingent in the under-23 ranks to start the 2026 World Cup season in Korea.
There were only five Canadians lined up across the U23 XCC and XCO races in YongPyong. By the end of the weekend, they had delivered a pair of top fives and multiple top tens.
Ackert leads with career-best ride
Ian Ackert landed in 10th spot on the short track, giving him a great starting spot in the XCO. He backed up his Friday performance and took a fourth-place finish in the XCO. His best career World Cup result. It came in the same brutal conditions that many struggled with over the weekend.
But Ackert leaned into it.
“I guess this is the cyclocross gods punishing me for taking a winter off from it,” he said. “Fully embraced the conditions and kept fighting right to the end. P4 is my best World Cup result… I can taste that podium. Can’t wait for the next races.”
While others faded, Ackert moved forward, managing the chaos and staying within striking distance of the podium throughout.
Lowe delivers in elite U23 field
On the women’s side, Marin Lowe put together one of the more complete weekends. She placed seventh in the XCC. Then she followed it up with a fourth in the XCO: one of here best World Cup performances ever. The Canadian was in the mix from the start and never really left it. Her XCO result placed her just off the new school podium.
MacPhee finds her form again
Ella MacPhee’s weekend was about more than results, although the restults were impressive; sixth in the XCC and ninth in the XCO. The Wilier-Vittoria rider showed flashes of the form that has made her one of Canada’s most promising U23s.
More importantly, she felt it.
“For the first time in a long time I felt like me, I felt my fight, and I felt that fire to be racing at the front,” MacPhee said after her short track ride. “Sixth to start the season. Curious and excited to build from here.”
Carrier steady, St-Onge gains experience
Rafaelle Carrier added another solid result to the Canadian effort, finishing 10th in the XCC and 10th again in the XCO.
On the men’s side, Maxime St-Onge rounded out the Canadian group, finishing 27th in the XCC and 23rd in the XCO. Not headline numbers, but valuable laps in a field where experience is forever valuable.
Women Under-23 XCC Results
1. Makena KELLERMAN (USA) – 00:22:00 (125)
2. Valentina CORVI (ITA) – 00:22:07 CANYON XC RACING (100)
3. Elina BENOIT (SUI) – 00:22:20 LEXWARE MOUNTAINBIKE TEAM…
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