July 20/25 13:03 pm - Jackson & Punchard Take Elite XCO Titles

Posted by Editoress on 07/20/25
 

Eight national titles were awarded on Saturday at the Mountain Bike National Championships in Langford, BC. Riders competed for the cross-country (XCO) titles in Elite, Under-23, Junior and Under-17 categories. The Elite races saw Jenn Jackson (Orbea Fox) take her third consecutive women's title, and Cole Punchard (Cannondale Factory) win his first.

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The dry, dusty conditions at the Jordie Lunn Mountain Bike Park continued, and repeated racing and training on the previous days meant that the 4.2 kilometre circuit was getting more and more blown out, with sharp rocks getting uncovered. This led to many flats, since a lot of riders were running lightweight tire setups, as well as lower pressure to improve traction.

In the Elite women's race, Jackson quickly opened a gap on Emilly Johnston (Scott-SRAM), however, on Lap 2 she suffered a flat. Johnston took the lead, but Jackson had a quick wheel change and was back with her before the end of Lap 4. Jackson then attacked again, to solo away for the the win. Roxane Vermette (Delta Marriott Mont-Sainte-Anne) took third.

Jenn Jackson Interview

The Elite men's race quickly came down to a two-man battle between Carter Woods (Giant Factory) and Punchard. Woods set the tempo while Punchard stayed glued to his wheel, until the fourth lap, when Woods became another victim of a flat. Punchard continued to power on to victory, while Woods dropped to fourth after his pit stop, behind the chasing duo of Tyler Orschel (Pan American Union Racing) and Logan Sadesky (Broad Street Off-Road). Going into the last lap, it looked like Woods might catch the pair in front, but he started to lose ground as Orschel and Sadesky fought for second, eventually finishing fourth, just in front of defending champion Leandre Bouchard (Cyclone d'Alma). Orschel attacked to take second.

Cole Punchard Interview

The Under-23 men's race was reduced to three riders by Lap 2 - Ian Ackert (Trek Future), Zorak Paille (Pivot Cycles - OTE) and Maxime St Onge (Pivot Cycles - OTE). Ackert, who missed last year's race due to illness, powered away from the other two a lap later to solo in for the title. Paille proved to be stronger than his teammate to take the silver medal.

Ian Ackert Interview

The Under-23 women's race pitted World Cup XCO leader Ella MacPhee (Wilier Vittoria Factory) against her usual rival Marin Lowe (Liv Factory Racing), who has also been performing well on the World Cup circuit this season. The pair raced wheel to wheel for the entire race, with MacPhee setting the tempo. Then, on the last lap, both crashed together coming out of a downhill. They quickly got going again, but Lowe attacked a kilometre from the finish, and MacPhee could not respond. Ella Myers (Gravity Academy) took third.

Marin Lowe Interview

In the Junior women's race, the Pivot Cycles - OTE team swept the podium, with race favourite Rafaelle Carrier winning ahead of Maude Ruelland and Lily Rose Marois. The Junior men's race was one of attrition. four rider broke away early - Ethan Wood (Team Charge), Tristan Taillefer (Siboire QuiRoule), Evan Moore (Team Ontario / Ignite Junior Cycling) and Émilien Belzile (Équipe du Québec / Stimulus Trek). Belzile flatted, putting him out of contention, and then Wood attacked with a lap to go, to take the title, followed by Taillefer and Moore.

Eliane Blais (Pittstop Racing Team) took her second title of the week in Under-17 women after winning the XCC on Thursday. Roughly a minute back Alexa Haviland (Team Ontario / Shredders) took silver ahead of her teammate Clare Hauber. The Under-17 men's race was one of attrition, with William McFarlane (Team Ontario/Stimulus Trek) pulling away on the last lap to beat William Houle (Vélo Pays d'en Haut) and his teammate Isaac Jeaurond.

National MTB Championships: Cross Country results

MTB XC Nationals Photo Galleries

National MTB Championships: Masters XC results

Jackson & Woods Take XCC Titles