By Madeline Pollock

Elite cyclist Evan Russell of Mill Bay rode to a commanding victory in the elite menB次元官网网址檚 field at the National Cyclocross Championships in Victoria on Nov. 25.

B次元官网网址淚t was such a satisfying feeling to make the home people proud,B次元官网网址� said the 22-year-old cyclocross racer.

Last year, competing in the U23 event, Russell placed second overall.

Cyclocross is a cycling discipline that sees racers riding knobby-tired road bikes off road and over various obstacles in a lap format. Races are typically very high intensity and are around 50-60 minutes in duration with competitors doing multiple laps.

Right from the whistle the pace of the leaders was blistering and Russell and three other riders separated from the rest of the group.

In preparation for the Championships, Russell competed in the Cross On the Rocks cyclocross series throughout the fall. This meant that he appeared comfortable and agile in the slippery West Coast mud that coated the course.

Russell, known for being both a tactically and technically strong competitor, said that B次元官网网址渂y about second lap I noticed the guys were starting to lag.B次元官网网址�

Not long after, the group began to fall apart with Luke Valenti from Ontario going off the front to try to secure a gap. Russell responded, chasing him down ferociously.

As Valenti began to fatigue he made an error, causing him to drop his chain. Russell launched a well-timed attack at this moment and found himself leading the race.

The final lap was a nail-biter, with Valenti sitting only a few corners back on Russell.

A couple hundred people were out encouraging the riders.

B次元官网网址淚 have a lot of people that were cheering for me along the entire course. I would just hear my name from every single corner,B次元官网网址� Russell said.

With hands in the air and plenty of encouragement from the home crowd, Russell glided across the line to win his first national title as well as secure a spot for himself at the World Championships in Tabor, Czech Republic, in February.

B次元官网网址淐oming across that finish line and everyone is cheering for you, leaning over the barriers,B次元官网网址� Russel said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a dream come true.B次元官网网址�

North Vancouver-raised Madeline Pollock is a journalism student at Brevard College in North Carolina