Maghalie Rochette has decided to step back from the European cyclocross circuit after a pair of disappointing World Cup results, the Canadian star said in her latest newsletter on Substack.
“Last weekend in Namur, I didn’t send a newsletter,” Rochette wrote, reflecting on her 23rd-place finish, one of the lowest of her career. She followed that up with a 40th in Antwerp, another race that didn’t go according to plan. Rochette said illness and travel challenges contributed to the struggles. But she also emphasised that setbacks are part of racing.
2025 thus far
Her 2025 season began well, with a big win at the 2025 national ‘cross champs in Lévis, Que. There, she took her fourth maple leaf jersey–having previously won it in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Rochette took the lead from the first lap and quickly opened a gap over Alberta’s Sidney McGill, who took second. After the race, Rochette said how stoked she was to wear the red-and-white in Europe again. Before heading across the pond, Rochette also won eight races in the U.S. Her first UCI World Cup was in Tabor, where she and her partner David Gagnon made a whirlwind trip to the Czech Republic. She had a solid debut to the Euro season, finishing 17th.
As far as Sunday’s race, the 32-year-old pro shared a moment of levity. Rochette found herself in the sand battling long-time rival Annemarie Worst near the back of the field. “I thought, ‘Fuck it! Let’s go for it!’” Rochette recalled. Passing and being passed by Worst over the final lap gave her a small victory and a sense of perspective. “Everybody has tough moments… Perhaps I can offer myself the same grace and respect as I have for her,” she wrote.
Looking ahead
Despite the rough patch, Rochette is focusing on the positives. She highlighted strong performances earlier in the season and the enjoyment she’s had preparing for the World Cups. The plan now is to return home, reset, and prepare for the world championships in Hulst.
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“Next time, I just hope I’ll get to showcase what I worked on,” Rochette said, signalling her intent to finish the season on a high note.
For now, she and Gagnon will return to Sainte-Adèle, Que. to retool and refocus. They live in a very cool cabin in the woods, where she does a mixture of tough workouts. Fatbiking, running, some very tough roller and…
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