World Cup racing is back, kicking off with two stops in Brazil, and Canadians are ready to get into the mix. With the Paris Olympics looming on the horizon, there’s no easing into the 2024 season. This will be full-on racing from the word “Go!” Here’s the Canadians to keep an eye on in Mairiporã this weekend as well as an update on a few international favourites.
Canadians flock south to find speed
Men
With the World Cup starting with two rounds in South America it is a great opportunity for the Canadian (and American) riders to start the season not necessarily closer to home, but at least on more even footing with their European competitors. For Gunnar Holmgren, the return to Brazil will be a welcome opportunity. After a breakout result in the country, he’ll be looking for a chance to continue his march up the World Cup standings, to try to get a top result for his new KMC Ridley team and, finally, to try meet Canada’s Olympic Qualification standards. The Ontario racer has a few solid results in Greece, Spain and South Africa already this year. With a new Euro team, he’ll be looking to take the next step and maybe finally nab that top-10 elite finish.
Newly minted elite Canadian champ Carter Woods will join Holmgren to race against the big boys this year. After an impressive under-23 career that saw the Vancouver Islander earn Canada’s first u23 World Cup win in a while, Woods moves up to see what he can do against the established pros. With a World Cup win last year, the Giant Factory Off-Road racer is also in the mix for Olympic qualifying. He’ll have to find his feet in the crowded elite field fast with Paris so close. After some strong US Cup results in Fayetteville and California, he’s already on his way.
Those two will be joining a returning cast of fast under-23 racers, like emerging talent Cole Punchard, Zorak Paillé and Noah Ramsay, and elites like Leandré Bouchard, Tyler Orschel and Raphael Auclair in Brazil.
Women
Jenn Jackson leads the Canadian women into the Brazil season opener, and will wear the maple leaf version of her Liv Factory Racing kit when she does. The elite national champion already has a string of strong results, including a sweep of the HC, C1 and short track US Cup week in Arkansas. With those early season victories, Jackson could be rolling into Brazil with the confidence she needs to race her way into the…
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