Canadian gravel championships started on Vancouver Island over the weekend, only to be disrupted by record breaking heat. Until the heat turned racing into a safety issue, it was thrilling racing across all categories.
Here’s a few photos from the day, and the aftermath.
Cory Wallace attacked very early in the men’s race, leaving the field to decide how to respond even before crossing the bridge onto the main portion of the course.
The view from that same bridge. Heat was the word of the day. While racers were stuck in it, Skutz Falls was packed with families (and maybe, briefly, one reporter) escaping the heat by the time riders were headed back towards the finish line.
Out on course, dust and dry roads prevailed. When there was shade, it made a huge difference in how the heat felt.
A main trio of Ben Perry, Mike Woods and Andrew L’Esperance went off the front early in the men’s race. But Island local Ethan Pauly was part of the group chasing hard not far behind.
Kaitlyn Rauwerda, seen bombing down the massive descent to the lap point of the course, was on the front of the women’s race when word came that racing was being stopped.
Some riders were unphased by the steep descent, casually hitting speeds in the high 70 kph range. Other riders, bikes and tires were getting beat up by the same stretch of road.
Feeling the heat. The bottle drop and ait station at the lap point was a busy zone as bigger groups of racers started coming in.
Volunteers were keeping spirits high as tired racers rolled in
A little ice in the jersey did wonders for some rider’s disposition
Cody Scott feeling the effort after racing it home in a solid position in the elite men’s race.
Mike Woods dug deep, very deep, in the elite men’s race.
L’Esperance also had a 1,000-yard stare. Riders gathered anywhere there was shade.
Haley Smith rolled home to find no race. Cycling Canada is still trying to sort out what results it can.
Mike Woods and Cory Wallace debrief by the sprinkler.
Carter Nieuwesteeg mainlinig the cool water. The full power sprinkler proved more popular than a mister set up in another part of the finish area.
That’s all from North Cowichan, at least for now. We’ll keep updating as more information comes in.