The 2012 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Tour kicked off today, and Canada’s women sent a strong and clear message: they are ready.
Ontario’s Emily Batty of Team Subaru-Trek opened the season with her career first World Cup podium in the elite category, finishing in second place. Ranked 8th in the individual UCI World Cup standings in 2011 in her first season as elite, Batty has shown today she is a serious contender, finishing only four seconds behind race winner Maja Wloszczowska of Poland.
2012 World Champion and three-time Canadian Champion Catharine Pendrel, from Kamloops, BC and racing for Team Luna Pro, took the third place of the race.
“Today’s race was very competitive. It was a battle to the end. It definitely showed that we are on the right track. Both Emily and Catharine work well together, in training and in racing. Emily was impressive. She showed a lot of determination today. Catharine’s ride was solid and a good early-season performance. We expect to see the form improve a lot as we enter the next World Cup in Houffalize,” said National Team Head Coach Dan Proulx.
Marie-Hélène Prémontof Chateau Richer, Que., representing Team Rocky Mountain-Maxxis, finished in 21st place, while Amanda Sin of Collingwood, Ontario, racing with Team SCOTT-3Rox Racing, placed 46th.
Canada is ranked at top of the UCI Olympic rankings in women’s cross country. In 2011, three of Canada’s women finished in the Top 8 of the individual World Cup standings.
In the men’s cross-country race, Derek Zansdtra of Trenton, Ontario posted Canada’s top results in 29th place. Olympian and seven-time Canadian Champion Goeff Kabush from Courtenay, BC and racing for SCOTT-3Rox Racing took the 37th place, while Canadian Champion Max Plaxton of Victoria, BC wearing the Team Canada colours placed 43rd.
The UCI World Cup in South Africa continues tomorrow with Canadian Steve Smith of Cassidy, BC, with Team DeVinci Global Racing Team racing in the downhill race.
RESULTS – UCI WORLD CUP – MOUNTAIN BIKE – WOMEN ELITE
1. WLOSZCZOWSKA Maja (CCC POLKOWICE) 1:34:01
2. BATTY Emily (SUBARU – TREK) +0:04
3. PENDREL Catharine (LUNA PRO TEAM) +0:23
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21. PREMONT Marie-Helene +6:12
46. SIN Amanda (SCOTT-3ROXRACING) +11:56
RESULTS – UCI WORLD CUP – MOUNTAIN BIKE – MEN ELITE
1. SCHURTER Nino (SCOTT – SWISSPOWER MTB RACING TEAM) 1:30:38
2. STANDER Burry (SPECIALIZED RACING) +0:11
3. FUMIC Manuel (CANNONDALE FACTORY RACING) +0:59
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29. ZANDSTRA Derek (SCOTT-3ROXRACING) +6:40
37. KABUSH Geoff (SCOTT-3ROXRACING) +8:06
43. PLAXTON Max (TEAM CANADA) +8:46
92. JETTE Cameron (SCOTT-3ROXRACING) -1LAP
105. MORKA Adam -3LAP