Liv Factory Racing athlete Marin Lowe rides to victory in the Women’s U23 Cross-country Olympic (XCO) race at the Canadian XC Championships this weekend in Langford, BC. Racing her Pique Advanced 29 with winning moves and a winning time of 1:07:09.67.
The conditions on the day were dry and dusty, Lowe arrived at the start line feeling steady and focused. “I felt calm before the race—less nervous than usual, I was just excited to race my bike, push my limits, and see what was possible,” she said. A morning ocean dip with her family helped ease into the day. “It was very grounding,” she added. “I prepared through a combination of consistent training, amazing coaching and support, and confidence-inspiring World Cup race experiences.”
The race began fast, with several riders pushing the pace early. “There were a few girls who went hard off the line, but I managed to make my way to the front,” Lowe explained. “On the first climb, it separated, and there were just the two of us for the rest of the race.” That included Ella Myers, and the two rode together for most of the race. “We were going at a solid pace. I was able to hold onto her wheel on the climbs and recover on the descents. I was feeling really strong.”
Going into the fifth and final lap, the two were still together. Lowe had planned to make her move on a climb she had picked out before the race. “I fully committed and went all out on this climb, gaining a gap into the next section of singletrack. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I can do this.’” She kept that small lead to the finish. “It was a great feeling to cross the line first,” Lowe said. “I was really happy with how it went. I had the best sensations I’ve had all season. It was a close race with Ella, and it always feels a bit more rewarding after a good back-and-forth like that.”
This marks Lowe’s first national title, and with it, the honour of wearing the U23 Canadian national champion jersey in upcoming races. Next on her calendar are the XCO Junior Series in Les Menuires – La Croisette and the MTB World Cup in Les Gets, France, this August.
