Calgary’s Nico Knoll has been racing in Europe for the last two months, and her season has been a rollercoaster – but she continues to give it her all.
In November, she won the C2 juniors race that was held in conjunction with the elite UCI World Cup in Antwerp. She beat Mae Cabaca (The Netherlands), who finished second, six seconds behind, and Sanne Laurijssen (Belgium), who came in third, nine seconds off the lead.
“I pre-rode one lap quickly before the race, and it worked out better than I was thinking it’d go. I chose to do the junior C2 race instead of the World Cup race with the elites just to ease into Euro racing,” she said after the win.
Strong season stateside
Before flying to Europe, she took second at the national junior ‘cross championships in Lévis, Que. She also had multiple wins in the 2024 Trek USCX series, including victories at Trek USCX #8 (Trek CX Cup) on May 10, Trek USCX #7 (Trek CX Cup) on September 29, and the Englewood Open CX on both September 7 and 8. Additionally, she placed second at Trek USCX #6 (Charm City Cross) on September 28, third at Trek USCX #5 (Charm City Cross) on September 22, and third at both Trek USCX #3 and #4 (Rochester Cyclocross) on September 15 and 21, respectively. She also finished seventh at Trek USCX #2 (Virginia’s Blue Ridge Go Cross) on September 14.
At the Pan Am junior ‘cross championships in Montana, she was fourth, just edged off the podium by fellow Canucks Carrier and Aislin Hallahan.
Sick for Christmas
When she arrived in Europe, things started off well, she said, but then sickness stymied some of her races during the Kersteperiod.
“My Euro experience has been going good, could be better in my opinion. My first two Junior World Cups were good, but I was hoping for a bit more. Then my last two Junior World Cups were not my best performances.”
Junior World Cup-wise, she placed 12th in Hulst, with Carrier taking the win, 13th in Dublin, and 22nd in Zonhoven. She also raced several events with the elite women, which included 30th in Besançon, 40th in Gavere, and 43rd in Namur.
Great ride in Belgium on weekend
On Saturday, she took a great result, finishing third at the Superprestige Gullegem, with Carrier taking the win.
“I ended up getting sick for the later bit of the Christmas Cross Period, so that kinda stumped my results. But with this podium at a Superprestige, it ups my confidence a bit. Still not 100 per cent over my sickness, but I’m looking forward to…
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