Team Hardwood Next Wave brought home a championship title, a silver and a bronze after some very fast racing in Garland, Tex., last weekend at the Resolution CX Cup Pan American Cyclocross Championships.
Orillia’s Ava Holmgren took the win and brought home the championship jersey in the junior women’s race, attacking on the first lap of five and never looking back. She rode aggressively out front demonstrating her superior bike handling skills to take the win.
Twin sister Isabella Holmgren duelled in a race-long battle with Chloe Fraser from the United States, rounding out the podium in third place. The pace was high for the entire race and these young racers were riding lap times that rivalled the top elite women.
In the junior men’s race, Oro-Medonte's Ian Ackert battled with American Jack Spranger with a sizable lead on the rest of the field. Ackert looked to have the win sealed up, however made a small error on the final wooded section of the track, allowing Spranger to attack and sprint for the win.
Ackert brought home silver after an amazing race that showcased his technical abilities which will serve him well against the best in the world. Team Hardwood Next Wave’s Ben Sweet rode a strong race to finish 16th in a field of 32 racers.
A day earlier, the U23 men's and women's titles were awarded to riders from the U.S.A. Next Wave’s Matthew Leliveld brought home seventh place in a very fast and exciting race, while Katelyn Walcroft rode to sixth place and was the first Canadian finisher in the U23 women’s category.
After a couple of days of rest and recovery, the riders are now looking forward to a racing block during the Christmas break, known as ‘kersteperiode’. The following athletes have qualified to represent team Canada: Ava Holmgren, Isabella Holmgren, Ian Ackert, Katelyn Walcroft, Matthew Leliveld.
They will be participating in six races over a two-week period in Belgium against the best in the world. Racing will return to North America for the World Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., Jan 28-30, 2022.
