When Ava and Bella Holmgren rolled onto the start line at the 2023 Cyclocross World Championships, no one—not even them—expected two Canadian flags to rise above the finish. Moments later, the world watched twins claim gold and silver, delivering Canada’s first-ever medals in any category of cyclocross.
Moments later, the world watched twins claim gold and silver, delivering Canada’s first-ever medals in any category of cyclocross.
A Win Woven with Gratitude, Grit, and Generations
For the Holmgren sisters, that unforgettable day wasn’t just about winning.
It was a tribute—to their parents who introduced them to cycling, to the Canadian community who groomed their trails, to the mechanics standing in freezing pits night after night, and to the young girls who might see a bit of themselves in two determined teenagers from Ontario.
“It felt like a victory for everyone,” Bella says. “Not just us—but our country, our staff, and every rider who paved the way for us.”
Where It All Started
Ava and Bella grew up near Toronto, surrounded by quiet backroads, big forests, and a tight-knit cycling community that embraced them long before they wore national colors.
Their parents, Robert and Lisa, were lifelong cyclists who fell in love through racing. “It started as a family thing,” Bella explains. “We’d ride as soon as we could balance, and go to a local race every week.”
Their childhood playground was Hardwood Hills, a trail hub they rode every summer for more than 14 years. Their parents’ first home together sat on the same property.
From the beginning, they had each other. Not just as sisters, but as competitors, critics, and constant motivators.
“The competitiveness,” Bella says with a laugh, “that’s definitely shared. Passion and confidence evolve individually, but competing?
That’s in the family DNA.”
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