Canadian top talents amaze everyone in Baal: "We joke that we're already grandmas"

The fact that Fem van Empel won the New Year's cross in Baal and that Lucinda Brand finished second was no surprise to anyone. But the fact that 18-year-old Ava Holmgren of Lidl-Trek claimed the third spot on the podium was an even greater (positive) surprise. The friendly, cheerful lady also introduced herself to IDLProCycling.com after the race.

There were three Dutch ladies in the top ten in Baal, but also three women from Canada. Ava, who is 18 years old, her twin sister Isabella finished ninth, and the just 16-year-old (!!!) Rafaella Carrier, as a first-year junior, impressively secured the tenth place. A wave of talent is washing ashore from across the Atlantic Ocean.

Now, the Holmgren sisters are of course not new: last year, the two already occupied the podium at the Junior World Championships in Hoogerheide, where Isabelle finished ahead of Ava. But now, in Baal, Ava was the first of the two to reach the podium in a real cyclo-cross race at the highest level, behind world-class cyclists Van Empel and Brand.

She seemed to hardly believe it all afterward, but one thing was certain: John de Bever would be jealous, but the smile couldn't be wiped off Holmgren's face. "I totally surprised myself, I still can't believe it," she said in disbelief. "I'm only 18 years old and riding my first race for Lidl-Trek, so this was a warm welcome in my new jersey," she concluded contentedly.

She didn't really seem to realize it all afterwards, but one thing was for sure: Holmgren's face was beaming with a big smile. ''I totally surprised myself, I actually still can't believe it,'' she spoke in disbelief. ''I'm only 18 and riding my first race here for Lidl-Trek, so this was kind of a warm welcome in my new jersey,'' she noted with satisfaction.

Brand and Holmgren speak highly of each other

Brand, who finished second and also rides for Lidl-Trek on the road, expressed her pride in Holmgren. "She's a teammate, and she's performing exceptionally well. She made a mark last year alongside her sister, and it's fantastic that she's already achieving podium finishes here," the New Year's cross runner-up in Baal commented.

Brand added a lighthearted note, "In the team, we're joking that we're the grandmas. There's always a new group of 18-year-olds ready to challenge us. But that's what keeps us on our toes," said the fiercely competitive cyclist from Dordrecht. Holmgren reciprocated with her own words of admiration. "We're fortunate to have role models like Lucinda to look up to, which certainly boosts us. She's a trailblazer."

While Holmgren's future trajectory in the sport remains to be seen, the emergence of young Canadian talent like her is likely a positive sign for the international growth of cyclo-cross racing, a development that would be welcomed at the UCI's headquarters in Aigle. "Cyclo-cross may not be as widespread as mountain biking, but I'm eager to elevate its profile in Canada. I hope to inspire people, regardless of their age, to embrace cycling," Holmgren explained.