07.25.10 - Kabush, Prémont Top Canadians at UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Champéry, Switzerland

Swiss riders take two Elite wins on home soil at UCI World Cup

(Champéry, SUI – July 25, 2010) The Canadian Mountain Bike team took to the slopes of Champéry, Switzerland today to battle in the fourth UCI World Cup race of the 2010 season. Canada’s Geoff Kabush and Marie-Hélène Prémont posted Canada’s best results in the Elite category, and Emily Batty posted the third fastest time in the Women’s U23 race.

Canada was represented by its top Mountain Bike riders, including Canada’s two defending Elite champions in Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, BC (Team Luna) and Geoff Kabush of Courtney, BC (Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain), as well as defending Canadian champions Emily Batty (Brooklin, ON) in the women’s U23 category and Evan McNeely (Kingston, ON) in the men’s Junior category.

A total of 172 riders took the start in the Men’s Elite race, while 109 women competed in the Women’s Elite category. The challenging and muddy course on which the riders competed in will be the same used for the 2011 UCI Mountain World Championships, next season.

“The juniors are building considerable strength and depth. Last year’s Junior World Cup projects gave these riders the inspiration needed to raise their level. They all want to make the team. I think we saw the beginning of a breakthrough for the Canadian juniors today,” said Dan Proulx, Canada’s MTB head coach after the race.

“The course was muddy and rooty, very challenging. It was hard for riders to find a clear line in many sections. Top calibre riders were forced to run many sections of the course, which created a lot of traffic,” added Proulx.

Canada’s Geoff Kabush posted the best Canadian time in the Men’s Elite race, completing the 29-kilometre course in one hour, 50.52 seconds, while Derek Zandstra, who was third last week at the Canadian Championships, posted Canada’s second best time of the day at one hour, 54.34 seconds. Kabush is now sitting in 18th in the UCI World Cup rankings, Canada’s top rider.

Switzerland’s Florian Voguel took home the victory on his home soil, finishing the course in one hour, 44.08 seconds. Czech Republic‘s Jaroslav Kulhavy won the silver medal while Swiss rider Nino Schurter posted the third fastest time of the day.

In the Women’s Elite race, Marie-Hélène Prémont from Chateau Richer, QC (Maxxis Rocky Mountain Bicycles) was the Top Canadian in the field, finishing the 24.7-kilometre course in 13th position with a time of one hour 51.50 seconds. Prémont is currently recovering from bronchitis and a severe cold.

Switzerland’s Nathalie Schneitter crossed the finish line first, completing the course in one hour, 45.40 seconds. Italian Eva Lechner took the silver medal while American rider Willow Koerber stepped on the third step of the podium.

2010 Canadian Champion Catharine Pendrel entered the race in first place of the UCI World Cup standings. She unfortunately suffered from many mechanical issues to finish in 16th position.

Pendrel is still the Top Canadian in the UCI World Cup standings, but falls from first place into the third spot. Prémont is now ranked 12th.

In the Women’s U23 category, Emily Batty crossed the finish line in third position, stepping on the U23 podium.

“The second half of my race was a lot stronger. I had to fight hard to move into third on the last lap. I’m really happy to be on the podium. My form is continuing to improve,” said Batty.

JUNIOR

Antoine Caron (Stoneham, QC), who was second last week at the Canadian Championships in Canmore, Alberta, posted the top result for Canada in the Men’s junior race. Caron finished in seventh position, just over three minutes from the winner, Germany’s Julian Schelb.

“I trained a lot harder this year. I’m very happy and surprised. I didn’t expect this, it was muddy, so I know it was good for me. I am so happy to see that our team is up there,” said Caron.

“The start was a lot faster than in Canada. It’s a lot more aggressive and you have to fight for position all the time. I think, as a junior, we need to get the feel for this type of racing. It’s a lot different,” said Evan McNeely, who finished 21st in the Men’s Junior category

In the women’s race, Lauren Rosser (Squamish, BC) finished in 11th position for Canada’s top result.

“Awesome. It was really hard; the speed didn’t slow down at all. The downhill was fun though. I made up tons of time because I could ride the drop,” said Rosser.

The 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships will be held in Canada. Mont-Sainte-Anne, the popular destination for both skiing and mountain biking, will host this major event from September 1-5, 2010.

MEN’S RESULTS: ELITE – WORLD CUP, MTB, CHAMPÉRY (SUI) – JULY 25, 2010

Complete results: http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template3/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUyMTM&LangId=1

WOMEN’S RESULTS: ELITE – WORLD CUP, MTB, CHAMPÉRY (SUI) – JULY 25, 2010

Complete results: http://www.uci.ch/templates/BUILTIN-NOFRAMES/Template3/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUyMTM&LangId=1

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