Orillia’s Isabella Holmgren has made an impressive return to the World Cup circuit, capturing the spotlight once again.
The 19-year-old, named Orillia’s Athlete of the Year in 2023, has kicked off her mountain biking season with remarkable success in Brazil. Competing in the World Cup events over the past two weekends, Holmgren dominated the competition, winning both the U23 women’s cross-country short track (XCC) and cross-country (XC) events in back-to-back weekends while racing for Lidl-Trek.
Holmgren, the reigning U23 world champion in both mountain biking disciplines, showed no signs of slowing down. The track in Brazil, known for its high-speed courses and challenging technical jump lines, provided the perfect stage for her to shine. According to her mother, Lisa Holmgren, the event also benefited from the “amazing Brazilian fans” who created an electric atmosphere.
This winter, Holmgren focused on honing her technical skills with the guidance of her coach and teammates, a move that clearly paid off. Despite being the favorite going into the races, Lisa noted that starting a new season always brings an element of uncertainty.
Isabella herself confessed to feeling a bit nervous at the start of the season. “It’s my first race of the year, so I was really nervous,” she told racing.trekbikes.com. “I didn’t know where my fitness was, and I just tried to go in and see how the race unfolded, then adjust my strategy on the fly.”
Although Holmgren’s season began with great success, she will not be aiming for the overall World Cup title this year. With a packed schedule that includes 10 World Cup races between April and October, she plans to focus on preparing for her road cycling season instead.
“I’m not too focused on the overall title because I’ll be missing some of the World Cups,” Isabella explained. “But I’m going to continue to give 100% in every race and have fun along the way.”
Holmgren’s dedication and focus make it clear that while her attention may shift, her passion for the sport remains as strong as ever.