Last Saturday, July 17, 2025, at the Jordan Lunn Mountain Bike Park in Langford, B.C., local athlete Cole Punchard delivered a standout performance, clinching his first Elite Men’s XCO National Championship.
Battling a heated field on a rugged 4.2 km circuit battered by dust and rock, Punchard, 21, made his move on lap 4, responding astutely when early frontrunner Carter Woods suffered a flat tire.
With precision and power, Punchard surged ahead, maintaining his lead through the final lap amidst the chasing presence of Tyler Orschel and Logan Sadesky. The gap was decisive. His performance crowned a masterclass in endurance, tactical racing, and course management.
This victory made Punchard a three-time national champion—adding to his 2024 XCC and 2024 U23 XCO titles.
You can watch an interview with Punchard after the race on the Canadian Cyclist Facebook page at the link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HuZU8wzWj
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