Canadian twins Isabella and Ava Holmgren made history at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Hogelheide by winning Canada's first medals in the highest-level event. Not just any medal, Isabella won the junior women's gold medal and the rainbow jersey, while Ava took the silver medal.

The two 17-year-olds were the favorites to win the junior events. Ava was riding high after winning this year's Junior Pan American Championships and Elite Canadian National Championships, as well as the junior race at the World Cup Sonnhofen. Isabella won the Junior National Championships and won the women's junior race at the X2O Trophy in GP Sven Nys on January 1. She also won a bronze medal at the Pan. [Eva was 17 seconds faster than her sister, but more than a minute ahead of 2022 champion Zoe Backstedt. This time, Isabella was 20 seconds ahead of her sister and 27 seconds ahead of third-place Celia Gerry of France. [Isabella told Canadian Cyclist after the race. "It's even better now that Ava came in second. It's nice to hear the national anthem and hopefully it's a good start for the other categories this weekend."

The Orillia, Ontario-based duo are part of the 14-member Cycling Canada national team competing in the junior, U23, and elite races this weekend, and their father, Rob Holmgren, is the national team coach.

"We've spent a lot of time this fall across the pond in Europe," said Holmgren, "and we're excited to be here. They learn and gain experience every time they tiptoe to the line. That experience will not only lead to success in Hugheide, but also in the road season, mountain bike season, and track season," Holmgren said before racing began Friday at the Team Relays.

The Holmgrens have spent more time racing in Europe this year, and it has paid off. It was only three months ago that this dynamic duo was looking to make their first big splash in a World Cup race. They placed in the top 20 in their first two World Cup races and made their mark on the elite U.S. field. In Waterloo, Wisconsin, they were the youngest players in the elite field.

After the US block, both sisters placed in the top 10 in the junior World Cup Tabor. Eva then took her first World Cup podium a week later in Maasmechelen, Belgium. She took two podiums in her final Junior World Cup races, the last in Besançon, where she won the race. Isabella also made the podium in the last three races of the Junior World Cup, finishing third in Sonnhofen ahead of Eva.

Saturday's course in Hogelheide was muddy for the junior women, which may have contributed to Isabella's strong performance.

"I prefer muddy conditions, but that's why I like Europe," Isabella said.

The sisters are not identical in appearance or riding style. Isabella is a few inches taller and Eva has a deeper voice. However, they both developed their technical skills on mountain bikes.

"In certain races we work together. But before the race we decide on the number of laps we will race each other. We're not going to race each other," Isabella said in a conversation with CyclingNews at the Trek CX Cup. 'Especially in the last few laps of the race, we decide who wins by battling it out.'

Isabella is now the world champion, with Eva right behind her. This is a familiar sight in the under-23 and elite races.

"It was a perfect day for sure. 'We came here to win Canada's first medal and now something even more amazing has happened. My sister won. I just celebrated on the other side of the finish straight for her, my country, and my family. It was a great day."