Mixed categories create upheaval at Bear Crossing GP

For Day 2 of 2022 Canadian cyclocross national championships, under-23 and elite categories were combined for the Bear Crossing Grand Prix UCI C2 race. That ended up creating a few upsets, as the younger riders were keen for to take the race to their elder elite racers. Further complicating the elite women’s field, Isabella Holmgren decided to join her sister, Ava, in racing up from juniors.

All in, the mixed categories made for an exciting day of racng at Layritz Park in Victoria. With the younger riders shining bright, it’s clear the two year wait hasn’t dimmed the future of ‘cross in Canada in the slightest.

Elite Women

On Sunday, both Isabella and Ava Holmgren decided to race up from juniors up into the elite field. Showing that the twins are relatively evenly matched, it was newly minted junior national champion, Isabella, taking Sunday’s elite win over elite women’s national champion, Ava.

Jenn Jackson rallied after a mechanical on Saturday, taking third in a sprint finish with Sandra Walter.

Evan Russell leads Michael van den Ham early in the elite men’s racePhoto: Nick Iwanyshyn

Tyler Orschel stepped up a few spots to second. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

Tyler Clark leads out the field in his new red and white kit. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

Evan Russell celebrates a very solid win on Sunday. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

Elite Men

With the under-23 and elite men’s fields, Sunday’s men’s race turned into a doubled battle of the generations. The under-23s proved as unwilling to wait for their elders as the younger elites had been to conceed ground to van den Ham and the more established pros on Saturday.

Evan Russell (Saris Rouvy Sauerland Team) avenged his second place in Saturday’s u23 event, taking the race to the elites. Russell won with a 19.89-second lead after seven laps. It was a back-and-forth race, though, with the top six all staying within touch for much of Sunday’s showdown. Tyler Orschel edged out u23 champ, Luke Valenti (Toronto Hustle) to take second. New elite national champ, Tyler Clark (CHC Armada), finished fourth, just ahead of Michael van den Ham (Giant-Easton) in fifth.

Ian Ackert early in the junior men’s race, with Filipe Duarte on his wheel. . Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Ian Ackert. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

Sasha Renauld-Tremblay leads Cam McCallum. Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn.

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