One of Canmore’s top cyclists was dragged through the mud last month, and he enjoyed every second of it!
Fifteen-year-old Larix Hallett celebrated a wet, muddy, and dirty finish at the 2023 Lazer Canadian Cyclocross Championships held in Victoria, British Columbia, on November 25.
Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing that takes place in the autumn and winter. Racers are required to complete several laps of a short course.
Sounds easy, right?
However, cyclocross courses are littered with obstacles that require racers to quickly dismount, carry, and remount their bikes throughout the course.
Cyclocross is not for the faint of heart, but Hallett loves the challenge.
As a member of the Rundle Mountain Cycling Club, Hallett wasn’t just representing his club at the Championships; he was representing Alberta. Hallett didn’t waste the opportunity, coming incredibly close to a gold finish.
“When a whole bunch of tire tracks go through the course, it would get quite sloppy and mucky to peddle. I’m quite happy with second, but it’s just so close to first,” Hallett told Rocky Mountain Outlook.
First place was stolen by Ethan Wood, a friend and rival of Hallett. Representing BC, Wood had the home course advantage.
Carter Nieuwesteeg, Hallett’s personal coach and pro rider, claims Hallett is mature for his age. He believes the young athlete has a bright future in cycling if he wants it.
“I think just knowing when and how to push hard or try and basically outride the other riders. This has been a big learning curve for him, and I think he’s definitely starting to show that,” explained Nieuwesteeg.
Hallett’s latest performance was a step up from his performance at the June 2023 Canmore Coupe Canada Cup.
The Cup was Hallett’s first time representing Alberta in a national competition. For his first kick at the can, Hallett secured sixth place against older competitors in the U17 expert men event.
But Hallett participates in many sports throughout the year, not just cyclocross. Whether he chooses to pursue cyclocross or another sport, one thing is for sure.
Hallett is the cyclocross athlete to watch in Canmore. He may not have secured victory at the Championships, but there’s no doubt he will next time.
