September 8/25 18:27 pm - Team Canada Announced for MTB XCC/XCO Worlds

Posted by Editor on 09/8/25
 

A roster 24 of cross-country mountain bike athletes will represent Canada in the XCC and XCO at the 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, taking place from September 9th to 14th in Switzerland. The event will unfold across the iconic alpine terrain of Zermatt and Crans-Montana.

Jenn Jackson (file photo)

Isabella Holmgren, defending U23 champion (file photo)

Carter Woods (file photo)

Ian Ackert (file photo)

"Canada has delivered some truly exceptional performances this season, thanks to the dedication and grit of our athletes. As we head into the World Championships, we're excited to showcase our strength in short track, team relay, and cross-country events," says Catharine Pendrel, Cycling Canada's National Team Coach.

The Canadian delegation features a dynamic mix of Elite, U23, and Junior athletes. The reigning women's U23 World Champion, Isabella Holmgren, enters the week with major momentum after becoming the first Canadian to win the overall title at the Tour de l'Avenir. Twenty-one-year-old Cole Punchard will have a chance to fight for the U23 title this weekend in the Men's division, after a top-10 result among the Elite men at the most recent World Cup XCO.

In the Elite ranks, Jenn Jackson comes into the world championships ranked seventh in the world during a breakthrough season, while Carter Woods has had several top ten XCC finishes in Elite men. The Junior team is highlighted by Rafaelle Carrier, world championship silver medalist in 2024.

Elite Women
• Jenn Jackson (Barrie, ON)
• Emilly Johnston (Comox, BC)

Elite Men
• Tyler Orschel (Uxbridge, ON)
• Carter Woods (Cumberland, BC)

U23 Women
• Nicole Bradbury (Hamilton, ON)
• Ava Holmgren (Orillia, ON)
• Isabella Holmgren (Orillia, ON)
• Marin Lowe (Squamish, BC)
• Ella MacPhee (Squamish, BC)
• Ella Myers (Calgary, AB)

U23 Men
• Ian Ackert (Severn, ON)
• Owen Clark (Mono, ON)
• Zorak Paille (Montréal, QC)
• Cole Punchard (Huntsville, ON)
• Maxime St. Onge (Trois-Rivières, QC)

Junior Women
• Rafaelle Carrier (Québec City, QC)
• Nico Knoll (Calgary, AB)
• Lily Rose Marois (Montréal, QC)
• Maude Ruelland (Québec City, QC)

Junior Men
• Émilien Belzile (Sherbrooke, QC)
• Nicolas Gauthier (Mont-Tremblant, QC)
• Evan Moore (Collingwood, ON)
• Tristan Taillefer (Sherbrooke, QC)
• Ethan Wood (Vancouver, BC)