Canadian XCO Championship for Nelson's Travis Hauck
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Travis Hauck of Nelson recently completed a marathon weekend on wheels by capturing the Master Expert 40-49 division at the 2018 Canadian XCO Championships in Canmore, AB.
Hauck edged out Simon Dove of Alberta at the finish line to claim the title in one hour, 16:14 minutes.
The Canmore venue is the site of the 1988 Olympic cross-country skiing events, with Kananaskis Country mountains leading into the Banff National Park providing a spectacular backdrop.
The course was four kilometres in length, looping back into the main finish bowl area multiple times. Riders covered the course for five laps.
Hauck travelled Friday to the Alberta City, getting into Canmore late in the evening. He was up early Saturday morning to eat and loosen up before the 9 a.m. race.
Aroussen Laflamme Mont-Ste-Anne, Que., shocked Hauck a little after jumping out to the early lead. However, Hauck was able to overtake the Quebec rider, then held off Dove to capture the Canadian Championship by the narrowest of margins.
Seventeen riders from all parts of Canada competed in the race, with three participants failing to finish.
The Cross-country championships for men and women were held for categories ranging from Cadet (Under-17) through Junior (Under-19), Under-23, Elite and Masters on Saturday.
Sunday, Team Relay event concluded the weekend.
Of course Hauck could not achieve this great resuilt wiithout the help of a few friends — NRG Enterprises Ltd, Kootenay Mountain Biking, Stellar Heliskiing, Lyte Balance Electrolytes by SENSEable Supplements, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Baldface Lodge, Dancing Bear Inn, Oso Negro, The Sacred Ride, Gerick Cycle and Ski, Nelson Cycling Club, my beautiful wife Tobi Hauck and kids Caden and Hailey.
After picking up his gold medal and posing with the rest of the Canadian Champions in a group photo, it was back in the car for Hauck, travelling back to Nelson for a family commitment.
Not a bad weekend for the Nelson rider. But now it’s off to Golden for another race this weekend.
