It was a big day for Canadian cross country racing in Brazil on Saturday. Just before Zorak Paillé flew through the under-23 men’s XCO field, the elites flew around Mariaporã’s short track (XCC) course. Jenn Jackson scored a big top 10 finish in the women’s field while Carter Woods made a solid impression in his elite men’s debut.
Elite Women’s XCC World Cup
The elite women’s field was led out by Martina Berta (Santa Cruz RockShox) before an attack from Jolanda Neff (Trek Factory Racing). Rebecca Henderson (Primaflor Mondraker) was quick to respond, perhaps recalling her success the last time the World Cup visited Brazil. But it was a big group of 25, including Canada’s Jenn Jackson (Liv Factory Racing) rolled out onto lap two together.
Jackson worked her way up from 20th to 25th to, by the time Kate Courtney (Scott-SRAM) took her turn on the front in lap three, 12th. Courtney continued to lead through lap five, but was pulling XCC powerhouse Evie Richards as well as Neff and Jenny Rissveds (Team 31 Ibis) in her wheels.
Sure enough, Richards attacked into the pump track section, where Courtney seemed to struggle, and quickly opened a gap. Jackson was holding steady in 14th, but Richard’s acceleration had blown the race apart and gaps were starting to grow.
Richards continued to extend her lead over the sixth of seven laps, heading out onto the final loop with a six-second advantage over Alessandra Keller (Thomus Maxon) and Henderson.
Evie Richards held her advantage to the finish line, comfortably winning the first World Cup XCC of 2024. Rebecca Henderson beats out Keller for second place.
Jenn Jackson had a fantastic final lap, moving up into ninth by the finish line. It’s the Canadian XCO national champion’s best XCC World Cup result to date. It also puts her right near the front of the start grid for tomorrow’s XCO event.
Elite Men’s XCC World Cup
As expected, Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon Cllctv) launched himself to the front of the men’s XCC field immediately. The maple leaves of Carter Woods’ (Giant Factory Off-Road Team) national champions jersey was also right near the front, finishing off the first lap inside an…
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