04.21.08 - Canada’s Marie-Hélène Prémont wins bronze at season opening World Cup mountain bike race

HOUFFALIZE, Belgium – Marie-Hélène Prémont of Chateau-Richer, Que., overcame a flat tire to win the bronze medal Sunday in the women’s cross country race at the season opening World Cup mountain bike competition.

Chengyuan Ren of China roared back to the front from a minute down for the gold. World champion Irina Kalentieva of Russia took the silver medal and Prémont, the Olympic silver medallist, was third.

Prémont, in her first race of the season, was pleased with her performance.

"Because this was my first race I didn't know how it would go,’’ she said. ‘’But I knew on the first lap that my legs were good, and that I could have a strong ride, so I am pleased. This is a good start to my season."

In all three Canadians cracked the top-15. Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, B.C., was 14th and Kiara Bisaro of Courtenay, B.C., was 15th.

Spanish rider Marga Fullana had her usual blazing fast start, finishing the opening loop 15 seconds in front of Premont, with a chase group of Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa of Norway, Kalentieva, Pendrel, Georgia Gould of the U.S., and Ren a further 15 seconds back.

By the middle of the first full lap of the course, Fullana was being reeled in by Premont, with the chasers stuck at 30-40 seconds. Then disaster for Premont when she flatted in the second lap, too far from the tech zone to get a wheel swap.

Kalentieva and Premont gradually distanced themselves from Gould, Dahle, Pendrel and Ren in the second and third laps, and were steadily catching Fullana. Kalentieva began the last lap almost on Fullana's wheel, and it looked like the world champion from Russia would take the lead.

However it was Ren who came rolling in first, with a substantial 15 second gap on Kalentieva.

Pendrel was also satisfied with her race, despite losing seven spots on the final lap.

"It was one lap too long for me at this time of the year,’’ she said. ‘’But I felt really good, really strong on the first lap, so I was riding at the front group and pushing hard. Maybe that was my downfall, that I didn't pace myself more, but I'm confident after this race that it will come."

In the men’s race, world and Olympic champion Julien Absalon of France took the gold. Canadian champion Geoff Kabush of Victoria was 12th while Seamus McGrath of Carlisle, Ont., was 23rd.

"I was hoping to do better than this,’’ said Kabush. ‘’But it is still a solid result and it will
ensure me a good start position for the next rounds."