Local Ride Bike Shop Staffer, Team Rider Walter on Track to Defending National Series Title
June 7, 2013 (Maple Ridge, B.C.) – Longtime Local Ride Bike Shop staffer and Local Ride Racing road cycling team member Sandra Walter of Coquitlam, B.C., is well on her way to defending her elite women’s overall Canada Cup cross-country mountain biking series title after she charged to victory at the Canada Cup opener in Mt-Tremblant, QC, on May 18 and again on May 25 at the second round in Baie-St-Paul, QC.
“Winning at Tremblant was a great way to start the Canada Cup season. Winning in Baie-St-Paul was just that much sweeter,” said Walter, who also finished first in the Mont-Tremblant and Baie-St-Paul events in 2012. “The courses were both awesome. I was really proud to win while flying my new Liv/giant colours.”
The veteran elite mountain bike racer and Canadian Team member is new to the Liv/giant family for 2013, representing the women’s cycling brand on the dirt at local, provincial, national, and international cross-country mountain bike and cyclo-cross races this season.
Walter completed the four-lap, 27.5km race at Mont-Tremblant in one hour, 38 minutes, and 51 seconds, finishing nearly four minutes ahead of second place, Andréanne Pichette (Opus-OGC) of Québec City, QC. Pichette suffered a flat tire near the end of the first lap and was left to chase Walter after receiving a new rear wheel in the tech zone. Frédérique Trudel (Specialized Canada) of Breakyville, QC, rode onto to the third podium spot.
“Racing through the Tremblant ski village was really neat. Lots of people were out spectating and cheering. It was the perfect day for a bike race – sunny and warm!” said Walter.
In Baie-St-Paul on May 25, in single-digit temperatures and under a threatening sky, Walter navigated the five-lap race in one hour, 33 minutes, and three seconds to finish almost two minutes ahead of Pichette, who took her second consecutive silver medal. Walter suffered a rear flat tire on the second lap, but was able to ride it out to the tech zone, where she took a spare wheel.
“While I was changing my wheel, Andréanne [Pichette] blew by me. My change didn’t take long and I was able to regain contact and make a clean pass before the end of the lap,” said Walter. “After that, I just focused on riding smoothly and cleanly, which was tough, because the course is very rooty and the conditions were slick after a lot of rain during the week.”
Cindy Montambault (CVM 2 Vals) of Val-David, QC, won the bronze medal in the event.
“Baie-St-Paul is one of my favourite courses on the circuit. It has lots of tight, technical singletrack, and short, punchy climbs, all things that play to my strengths,” said Walter.
Sudbury, ON, hosts round three of the Canada Cup cross-country mountain biking series on July 14, with the final taking place in Whistler, B.C., on August 17, during the legendary Crankworx mountain biking festival. The overall series title will be awarded to the rider with the best three results of the four-event series.
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Photo: Sandra Walter (Liv/giant Canada), wearing the Canada Cup leader’s jersey, flies off a drop on her way to victory in Baie-St-Paul, QC. Photographer: Pierre Bouchard/velocharlevoix.com
About Local Ride Bike Shop
Local Ride bike shop is an independently owned bike shop in Maple Ridge, BC. Born and raised in Maple Ridge, owner Barry Lyster is passionate about cycling. His shop is renowned for its excellent service and friendly, helpful staff. The shop carries products for all levels and types of cyclists, from children and recreational riders, to elite racers. Lyster is a certified bike fitter and often performs bike fits for top athletes. Local Ride Bike Shop is primarily a Giant Bicycles dealer. Other major brands include Louis Garneau helmets, shoes, children’s bikes, and clothing, Shimano components, wheels, and footwear, GORE Bike Wear, Catlike helmets, Tifosi eyewear, Niterider lights, and Lezyne tools and pumps. www.localride.ca
About Liv/giant
Liv/giant is a cycling brand dedicated solely to the female rider. It includes everything from specially designed bikes, gear and accessories to retail stores, events and ambassadors who inspire us to lead happier, healthier, more adventurous lives through cycling. www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca/
Media Contact:
Barry Lyster
Owner, Local Ride Bike Shop
Phone: 604-466-2016
Email: local_ride@shaw.ca
To contact Sandra Walter directly for an interview, email her at sandra@sandrawalter.ca or visit her website www.sandrawalter.ca for more info.