Canada’s U17, Junior, Elite and Masters athletes, including a contingent of Cycling BC’s High Performance, targeted athletes, are on their way to Kentville, NS, for the 2023 Canadian XCO and XCC MTB Championships on July 20-23.
“We are thrilled to bring the Canadian XCO and XCC Championships to Nova Scotia for the first time,” said Cycling Canada Director of Events and Marketing, Josh Peacock. “This event promises to showcase the best of maritime hospitality alongside years of trail, venue and event development by the local organizing committee, Trailflow Outdoor Adventure.”
With the recent retirement of 2022 XCO Canadian Champions Emily Batty (Elite Women) and Marianne Théberge (U23 Women), the title will be up for grabs in their categories. Looking to secure another gold medal are Peter Disera (Elite Men), Marin Lowe (Junior Women), Rafaëlle Carrier (U17 Women) and Carter Woods (U23 Men), who is coming back from two Mountain Bike World Series World Cup wins in Val di Sole, ITA, while Jacob Roy (U17 Men Champion) and Zorak Paillé (Junior Men Champion) are hoping to prove their strength in new categories, now racing respectively in the Junior and U23 ranks. 2023 XCO Mountain Bike World Series bronze medallist Emilly Johnston (U23 Women) will also be taking her place on the start line.
For the first time ever, XCC champions will be crowned within the U17 and Junior categories, while 2022 Elite Champions Laurie Arseneault and Woods are planning to leave it all on the trails to hold on to their title.
Sue Haviland (Masters Women 35-44) and Jon Barnes (Men Masters 45-54) will race to add another title to their name, while the title will be up for grabs in all other Masters category.
The full technical guide and important event information can be found on the Events Page of the Cycling Canada website.
Source: Cycling Canada
About Cycling Canada
Cycling Canada is the nation’s oldest National Sport Organization and has one simple purpose – to inspire Canadians to cycle. Our mandate is to holistically develop the sport in partnership with our 11 Provincial/Territorial Sport Organizations, putting more Canadians on bikes from coast-to-coast and on podiums around the world.