Emily Batty (Subaru-Trek) showed her versatility and Chris Sheppard (Rocky Mountain-Shimano) revealed his dominance by winning national cyclocross championships this weekend in Toronto. Batty completed the course in 40:59, gapping runner up Pepper Harlton (Juventus) by 33 seconds. Mical Dyck of Pro City Racing (and intrepid Canadian Cycling contributor) came in 1:15 in arrears. Amanda Sin, who took mountain bike bronze at the Guadalajara Pan-Am Games last month, finished 6th.
In the elite men’s race, Sheppard repeated as national champion, distancing Emily’s brother Mark Batty (Spidertech) by :21 seconds. Batty took silver by outsprinting Aaron Schooler of Team H&R Block – Sri Importing. Coming in seventh was Craig Richey (Renner Custom Cx Team), who used to whip this reporter regularly in Smithers, BC road and mountain bike races. Mark Batty, who also garnered the most aggressive rider prize, said on his Twitter account that he’d end his satisfying day by going to see Deadmau5.
Evan McNeely (Emd Serono-Specialized) won the men’s espoir (under-23) title, with Jared Stafford (Ride With Rendall) and Jeremy Martin (Rocky Mountain Factory Team) rounding out the podium.