While all eyes were on the closing of the Pan American Games this weekend, the cycling action also extended to the Pan American Cyclocross Championships, held in Missoula, Montana, United States, with elite titles for Isabella Holmgren and Eric Brunner .
Canadian Isabella Holmgren’s victory among the elite women is even more impressive considering that she is only 18 years old. However, Ella Holmgren is known for her great talent, which she has already demonstrated in several disciplines. She has already obtained great results on the road, but for now she stands out especially in cyclocross and mountain biking.
Holmgren was unrivaled in Missoula. The young Canadian managed to complete a longer solo with vigor and won by almost a minute over Clara Honsinger, the reigning American cyclocross champion. With Katie Clouse, also only 22 years old, there was a second American on the podium with bronze.
In the elite men’s category, the gold medal went to Eric Brunner. It is the 24-year-old American’s second consecutive Pan American cyclocross title, as two years ago he was also the strongest in Garland, Texas. He then defeated Curtis White and Kerry Werner, this time he was too strong for Scott Funston and Gage Hecht.
In the under 23 category, Canadian Ian Ackert won by 53 seconds over his teammate Luka Valenti, while third place went to American Jules Van Kempen. Among the women, the victory of the American Lauren Zoerner over the Canadians Ava Holmgren and Jenaya Francis was closer, whom she surpassed by 17 and 36 seconds, respectively.
Finally, among the youth players, three locals filled the podium among men: David Thompson, Henry Coote and Luke Walter; while the Canadian broke that dominance among women, ahead of the hosts Vida López de San Roman and Jorja Bond.