The Pan American Championships are always a tough weekend for racers. Athletes ditch their trade team mentality and race for their country. A lot of the time, it boils down to a mix of Canada and America duking it out at the front. For the elite women’s race this weekend in Washington, D.C., it was no different. Young gun Lizzy Gunsalus (USA) and Fan Favorite Maghalie Rochette (CAN) gave the cyclocross world a showdown to the line at the DCCX Pan American cyclocross championships.
From the moment the whistle blew, the event promised fireworks. A nine-woman group broke off the front. Everyone knew this was the move, and included Maghalie Rochette, Sidney McGill, and rising American force Lizzy Gunsalus—who carved a ten-second gap by the second lap and refused to relinquish it.
Move and Counter
Lap after lap, Gunsalus and Rochette marked each other. The course was twisty and unpredictable in spots, especially in the off-camber on the backside. Group racing was ok, but it would be best to choose your own lines. Gunsalus and Rochette fought for the front and pulled no punches as the laps ticked on.
As the bell lap tolled, the two were out in front, Gunsalus and Rochette. Now that the final features were behind them, Gunsalus kept a slight gap on Rochette —a bike length at most, but an advantage. As the group entered the last winding turns before the pits, Gunsalus kept her gap. The small advantage kept Rochette from passing her before the off-camber pinch point on the road.
Gunsalus was first to the tarmac and started her sprint, emidetly holding off a charging Rochette to the line, in a nail-biter of a finish. Rochette was gracious in defeat but clearly tested. McGill claimed bronze, completing a hard-earned podium.
Final Top 5 — Elite Women:
- Lizzy Gunsalus (USA)
- Maghalie Rochette (CAN)
- Sidney McGill (CAN)
- McGill Sidney (CAN)
- Megale Anna (USA)
This wasn’t just a gold medal—it was a statement. Gunsalus arrived at Pan-Ams as an emerging contender, but she left it as a champion. She didn’t surprise the cyclo-cross world—she earned its attention.
Super X Lizzy
Lizzy Gunsalus rides for the CCB Team, who cover mostly road events. For this cyclocross season, the Cannondale-sponsored team chose the newly updated Super X as their platform for cyclocross competition. The frame looks like it’s changed dramatically over the years, but at its core, the geometery is almost identical to the Super X of the Jeremy Powers and Stephen Hyde era.
Same But Different
Most notably, the update (thankfully) to the bottom bracket (now BSA-threaded) and the rear wheel no longer require a Cannondale Ai dish. The “Super X Lizzy” takes full advantage of these new updates, running a full Shimano Dura-Ace/Ulterga mix with a Shimano Dura Ace crankset (something that wasn’t possible on last year’s model).
For gearing, Gunsalus opted for a tight 42/34 double with an 11-34T cassette. This gearing allows her to stay mostly in the big ring the whole time, but with a 34T “bail out” ring for those super punchy bits where staying on the bike is a huge advantage.
For tires, Gunsalus went with the new Vittoria/Dugast Small Bird tubeless tires. The Small Bird tread was a popular one for most of the Vittoria-sponsored pro riders and amateurs. The tread is a nice mix of low rolling and grip on the corners. The small but powerful tread crawls well over roots and tight grass, especially in the corners.
Rounding out the build is an Enduro bearing ceramic bottom bracket and a Bontrager Aeolus Comp saddle. Gunsalus raced with a bottle (a BIVO bottle, actually), something we’re seeing more and more of on the hot days in North American cyclocross.
Lizzy Gunsalus Cannondale Super X
- Frame: Cannondale Super X
- Shifters/Brakes: Shimano Ultegra Di2 12 speed
- Deraileur: Ultegra Di2 12 speed
- Rear Deraileur: Ultegra Di2 12 speed
- Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 12-speed 42/34 custom rings
- Pedals: Shimano XTR PD-M9200
- Wheels: Shimano GRX RX870
- Tires: Dugast Small Bird 33mm tubeless
- Bottle: BIVO
- Bottom Bracket: Enduro
- Saddle: Bontrager Aeolus Comp
- Cockpit: FSA Energy 40mm/100mm Stem
Look for Lizzy racing the European cyclocross circuit after the USAC Cyclocross National in Fayetteville this December. We wish her luck and clean rides.
