04.22.07 - Houffalize UCI Mountain Bike World Cup

Houffalize, Belgium - Canadian champions Marie-Hélène Prémont of Chateau Richer, Que., was sixth in the women's pro race and Geoff Kabush of Victoria, BC, was 12th in the men's event in the opening round of the Mountain Bike UCI World Cup on Sunday. Both riders were the top North American finishers at the event.

Chengyuan Ren won China's first ever World Cup gold medal when she finished a few metres in front of Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa of Norway, the reigning world champion and defending World Cup champion. Marga Fullana of Spain was third. Prémont was three minutes 29 seconds behind the winner.

"This is my first race of the season so I am very happy with how well I did," said Prémont. "There is so much snow at home that I have not been able to ride my mountain bike, and my technical skills are not there yet, but I know now that I am not too far back from the leaders and I will be back up there next time."

Prémont also said that her program for the season is designed to peak for the Canadian rounds of the World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne and Saint-Felicien, Quebec, at the end of June.

Kiara Bisaro of Comox, B.C., was 9:36 behind the winner to finish 20th, Swiss-based Sandra Walter was 10:59 behind in 26th and Wendy Simms of Nanaimo, B.C., was 15:28 back in 44th place.

The men's race saw Spain's Jose Hermida take the third World Cup win of his career, ahead of defending champion Julien Absalon of France and Christoph Sauser of Switzerland. Kabush was 5:32 behind the winner after having to ride his way up from 55th place on the starting grid.

"I was feeling a little off last night (Saturday) so I didn't know what to expect and I haven't done so well at the European World Cups in the past," said Kabush. "This was definitely a good result and I know if I start in the top 10, I could likely be on the podium."

Kris Sneddon of Victoria was 17:34 behind the winner to finish 81st, and Max Plaxton of Victoria was 20:29 back to place 98th, after suffering a flat at the mid-point of the race.

The World Cup has added significance this year since the points riders and countries accumulate will play a large part in determining the number of start positions each country will receive for the Beijing Olympics next year.

Houffalize UCI Mountain Bike World Cup - Photo Gallery

Kiara Bisaro	Kiara Bisaro	Geoff Kabush	Geoff Kabush
Max Plaxton	Max Plaxton	Marie-Hélène Prémont	Marie-Hélène Prémont
Sandra Walter	Sandra Walter	Prémont et Dahle-Flesjaa