LÉANDRE BOUCHARD STRIKES AGAIN AT MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP IN GERMANY
Bouchard races to fourth place in Eliminator
(Albstadt, GER – May 30, 2014) Less than a week after his fifth place in the cross-country race at the World Cup in Czech Republic, Canadian mountain biker Léandre Bouchard of Alma, QC punched again on Friday. This time, the young rider finished fourth of the Cross Country Eliminator at the World Cup in Albstadt, Germany, his career best result in the event.
Bouchard, the reigning Canadian Champion in the discipline, easily qualified for the elimination rounds finishing with the second fastest time of the qualifying round, and then went on to win the next three rounds to earn his berth into the big final, where he placed fourth.
“I’m really happy to make my first World Cup podium. My physical form is good right now. This is a good sign for the cross country race on Sunday. I’m happy to see I still have good legs from last weekend’s World Cup,” said Bouchard, ecstatic after the award ceremonies.
Canada’s mountain bike head coach Dan Proulx praised the efforts and Bouchard’s progression: “Today’s ride shows, once again, that Léandre is on the right track. He’s competitive in cross country and in the Eliminator at the World level. Léandre is the heart of our team. When he does well, it inspires all of us. Everyone is so happy for him!”
Bouchard will race the U23 cross-country race on Sunday prior to his return to Canada, where he will jump on a road bike to race the Grand Prix cycliste de Saguenay, in his hometown.
Canadians Peter Disera of Barrie, ON, Sebastien Cadieux-Duval of Prévost, QC and Andrew l’Espérance of Halifax, Nova Scotia all qualified for the elimination round, but did advance from the opening round.
The cross-country races will be held Saturday for the junior and U23 women categories, and Sunday for the elite and U23 men categories.
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RESULTS – ELIMINATOR – MTB WORLD CUP – ALBSTADT, GER
MEN
1. MELS, Fabrice (BEL) SALCANO ALANYA
2. VAN DER PLOEG, Paul (AUS)
3. LÜTHI, Patrick (SUI)
4. BOUCHARD Leandre (CAN)
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20. L’ESPERANCE, Andrew (CAN)
21. DISERA, Peter (CAN)
31. CADIEUX-DUVAL, Sébastien (CAN)
WOMEN
1. STIRNEMANN, Kathrin (SUI) SABINE SPITZ HAIBIKE PRO TEAM
2. ENGEN, Alexandra (SWE) GHOST FACTORY RACING
3. INDERGAND, Linda (SUI) STRÜBY-BIXS TEAM
4. TERPSTRA, Anne (NED) BETCH.NL SUPERIOR BRENTJENS MTB RACING TEAM
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17. MONTAMBAULT, Cindy (CAN)
20. PAGEAU, Rachel (CAN)
