An elite local cyclist struck gold at the Canada Summer Games in Welland this week
Ava Holmgren, 17, won gold for Team Ontario in the women's cross-country mountain bike event, finishing 51 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Marin Lowe from Team B.C. Quebec's Marie-Fay St-Onge won the bronze medal.
The course conditions changed dramatically over the four-lap race due to heavy rain, making it a challenge for the competitors. The clay-based singlet-rack trails were treacherous at times, cyclists reported.
Holmgren's twin sister, Isabella, started strong, riding in the top three with her sister. However, she suffered a mechanical problem with her bike and had to run, ending up 8th overall.
Team Ontario is contending in the team relay event Aug. 10 and the sprint/eliminator event on Aug. 12. The local cyclists are hopeful for more podium performances.
The gold at the Summer Games for Ava Holmgren, who is from Oro-Medonte, follows her second-place finish earlier this summer at the Canadian Cross-Country Mountain Bike Championships at her home course, Hardwood Ski & Bike.
