Ava Holmgren Represents Canada Well in Weekend-Opening Junior Women's Race
Ava Holmgren Represents Canada Well in Weekend-Opening Junior Women's Race
First-year Junior racer on finishing 7th in her first World Championships
The Holmgren name of Ontario is one that has rung out in North American cyclocross in recent years. Older brother Gunnar led the way, winning two Canadian U23 National Championships before pivoting to focus on mountain biking in recent years.
Next in the Holmgren line are Ava and Isabella, 16-year-old twins born in May 2005 who have achieved quite a bit of success in their first years at the UCI Junior level. We wrote about them a few weeks back in the Blame Canada, Eh? segment of the Weekend Preview, highlighting their podium finishes at Gullegem and other top-five rides during Kerstperiode.
The Holmgren twins were in Fayetteville representing Team Canada in the six-race weekend’s opening race. Ava got out to a fast start on the fast course and was in 4th place after 2 laps before finishing 7th, and Isabella started a bit slower before rolling back to 8th place, just behind her sister.
I took a few minutes to chat with Ava after her impressive ride.
Zach Schuster: How was it out there today?
Ava Holmgren: It was good, and it was so much fun. I didn't expect so many fans, but it really helped with them cheering on the sides when I was hurting. I might have gone out a little bit too fast, but it was fun being near the front, and I'm happy with how things went.
Zach Schuster: Obviously fans were cheering for the Americans, but I'm guessing as a Canadian you also got some cheers as well?
Ava Holmgren: I definitely heard a bunch of people saying "Go Canada" as well as "Go Ava" because I knew some of them were my friends and family. That wouldn't happen if I was in Europe, so I'm glad that at first World Champs I could have so many people supporting me.
Zach Schuster: You were kind of in a group there. What was the race strategy like for you?
Ava Holmgren: I was thinking more of going fast in the start so I could be first in the technical sections. It was really helpful riding in a group for some of it because I could draft at the windy spots. It was just about going out hard at the start and holding that pace.
Zach Schuster: You've had a lot of success in Europe. Did that help give you confidence for today?
Ava Holmgren: Yeah, for sure. It also gave me a benchmark to know where I can be. It definitely gave me a boost of confidence knowing I have the extra experience there.
Zach Schuster: It was a North American cyclocross course, maybe a little different than usual. Do you think that played into your advantage?
Ava Holmgren: A lot of the 'cross races here have been fast and dry. It definitely helped me knowing I could push myself hard enough on these types of courses too.
Zach Schuster: Finally, big weekend for Canada. You've got the CX Fever logo on your kit, hopefully Maghalie will have a good day. What's it been like being part of good Canadian women coming up in the sport?
Ava Holmgren: It's been great, especially because I get to learn from them. I really hope Maghalie can win today. I'll be cheering, and the best part of being the first race, I don't have to worry about anything else the rest of the weekend, I can just cheer on my teammates.
Zach Schuster: Congrats, and enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Ava Holmgren: Thank you so much.
