July 22, 2006 – Whistler, BC – Top North American riders gathered in Whistler’s mountain bike Mecca at the Canada Cup Series # 4, final qualifying event for the World Championships. Recently crowned National Champions Marie-Hélène Prémont (Chateau-Richer, QC) and Geoff Kabush (Victoria, BC) leaded the event. Emily Batty and Francis Morin took the first place in the junior category.

Today’s cross-country competition was fierce as some of the Canadian riders are racing at international levels, and several American World Cup riders have also signed on. Some riders suffered from the heat factor, with temperatures peaking at 38 Celcius. Men elite’s Rick Federeau (Abbotsford, BC, Team RACE), dropped out due to the heat.

In the elite women's race, Marie-Hélène Prémont (QC) leaded the Canada Cup today, just one week after her National Champion title in the cross-country National Championships at Sun Peaks. Women had 4 laps to do on a 8-Km circuit and Premont won with 3mn ahead of American rider Mary McConnolough. Kiara Bisaro (BC) completed the podium.

"It was a good course, very technical with lots of single tracks. I was surprised to catch the guys after five minutes (women started 2 minutes after the men). It was hard to get by them, but in the end I had a good race. The heat didn't really bother me. I don't have trouble with the heat," said Prémont.

In the men's 5-laps race, Geoff Kabush of Victoria, BC, who also happened to be crowned as National Champion one week ago, went on Marie-Hélène’s golden steps to take the first place. He was followed by junior athlete Neal Kindree (BC) and Andrew Watson (ON).

Kabush explained: "I haven't ridden a mountain bike since my crash last week. I only did one lap yesterday. My ribs are still sore so I was a bit worried about the race. I wanted to keep it smooth. I didn't find the heat too bad. I think my time in New Mexico helped. This was a real mountain bike course. By the third lap I just tried to keep it smooth. I know a few of the other guys struggled with the heat."

Elite Women (4 laps, 32 Km)
1. Marie-Helene Premont, Chateau-Richer, QC, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects
2. Mary McConnolough, USA
3. Kiara Bisaro, Courtenay, BC, Team R.A.C.E.
4. Melanie McQuaid, Victoria, BC
5. Wendy Simms, Nanaimo, BC, Velo Bela-Kona

Elite Men (5 laps, 40 Km)
1. Geoff Kabush, Victoria, BC, Maxxis
2. Neal Kindree, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Kona Les Gets
3. Andrew Watson, Barrie, ON
4. Matt Hadley, Mount Hope, NB
5. Michael Broderick (USA)

Jr Women (3 laps, 24Km)
1. Emilly Batty, Brooklin, ON
2. Katlin Michener
3. Marie-Claude Surprenant, Sutton, QC

Jr Men (4 laps, 32 Km)
1. Francis Morin
2. Zac Winn
3. Cody Canning
4. Andrew Thomas
5. Jeff Clarkson

Full results available here

The Worlds team in mountain bike will be announced next week, following to Whistler’s Canada Cup.

Tomorrow Sunday July 23, Whistler Resort will be running the downhill event of the Canadian National Championships.

For further information and interview requests, contact:

Florence Bourg
Communications Manager
Canadian Cycling Association
Cell.: 418-558-4559
florence.bourg@canadian-cycling.com