Sidney Mcgill
Committed to ’cross
This past February, Sidney Mcgill—coming off her best season to date in which she raced all 14 World Cup events—was part of an impressive Team Canada at the cyclocross world championships i n Hoogerheide, the Netherlands. In her second year racing elite, the fourtime Canadian cyclocross champion (twice as a junior and twice in under-23) put together progressively better results on the World Cup circuit, topping out with an eighth in Dublin. Balancing her studies at Queens University, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis—an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid that she was diagnosed with in 2015— and a jam-packed calendar, Mcgill “welcomed the mud” on the world championship race day and finished in 25th.
You raced all 14 World Cup events.
Was that always the plan?
It was the plan. Last year there were 16 world cups and I did 14. There were just 14 this year so I decided to go for it. It’s gaining experience, it’s seeing what it takes to do the full circuit, what the logistics are like—the travel stress and strain and the cost.
So, are you going to do it again next season?
I would, of course, love to. If it were up to me, I’d race every single race there is although the fatigue levels and health issues would prefer otherwise. So, no promises for next year, but I have good hope and I would not complain if I got to do them all again next year.
Which World Cup race was your favourite?
Val di Sole, Italy. Snow! I gotta stay true to Canada. It was so much fun. It reminds me of growing up, cycling at home in the winter. Pre-ride day everyone was so on edge and stressed because they aren’t used to snow riding. And me: just no hesitation, full speed into the first snowy descent like a kid in the Edmonton River Valley.
You ended your season with the world championships in Hoogerheide where you finished 25th. Tell us about your race.
I had a good start. In the first lap, I was fighting for every position. There wasn’t too much traffic; we had a small field, only 28 women, but it was a strong 28 women. It was kinda clear, my legs weren’t great, but I kept pushing, just hoping they would come around if I dug deep enough. I fought as hard as I could and I wasn’t giving up any positions from behind and held on for a 25th-place finish.
Were there any particularly tricky spots on the lap?
Just before Pit 2, there was an offcamber climb and a long false-flat climb that was rough and bumpy. It got so muddy throughout the day. You were pedalling steady power but the wheels were just spinning beneath you. At one point, I was grabbing onto the fences and was trying to move forward like that.
How do you feel about your performance?
Although I didn’t feel the greatest, I can still be happy with the fight I threw down and coming away with some good goals achieved for the season. I was happy with a muddy course and had fun out there, but just didn’t have much in the legs and it’s been a long season. I’d been having health issues. It’s my autoimmune thyroid issue. I was born with it and it’s never going away, so I just have to find the right balance. I’m still working on it.
“Just no hesitation, full speed into the first snowy descent like a kid in the Edmonton River Valley.”
How was the Team Canada experience?
It was such a vibe. I got to hang out with Team Canada every day. Before and after my race, the amount of spectators who stopped me to say congratulations to Canada was insane.
How did you celebrate?
At the end of every race, all the staff and mechanics, we’d all have a sip of maple whisky to celebrate the day. It’s a nice tradition that started with Team Onebike.
What are your plans for the off-season?
I’m going to Israel and then Vietnam for a work stay. I’m staying with a family on a community farm. I’ll be an extra set of hands on the farm and teaching sports and English to local children. It’s not often I get time off the bike and I want to take the opportunity to have a different experience.