PENDREL, BATTY AND PLAXTON RACE TO TOP10 AT WORLD CUP IN FRANCE
Olympic qualifying window is now closed for mountain bikers
(La Bresse, FRA – May 20, 2012) The two Canadian Mountain Bike Champions Catharine Pendrel of Kamloops, BC (Team Luna Pro) and Max Plaxton of Victoria, BC ), as well as Emily Batty (Subaru-Trek) all finished in the Top 10 in the last Olympic qualifying World Cup in La Bresse, France.
“The World Cup in La Bresse was really positive for the Canadian program. We are advancing at every level,” commented Dan Proulx, Canadian National Team Head coach for Mountain Bike. “The past three years have been about continuous improvement and growth. It’s great to see the improvements starting to show in our results.”
In the women’s race, three-time Canadian champion Catharine Pendrel took the fourth place of the 25.5 kilometre race, posting a time of 1:41.09. Emily Batty of Brooklin, ON (Team Subaru-Trek) went on to finish in ninth place with a time deficit of 3:51, scoring her third top 10 of the season on the World Cup Tour. Olympic medallist Marie-Hélène Prémont of Chateau Richer, QC, finished in 21st position, showing a 8:51 time deficit over the winning time.
Norwegian Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa posted the fastest time of the day and rode away with the victory, stopping the clock at 1:39.57.
In the men’s race, the defending Canadian champion Max Plaxton had a great ride, finishing in the Top10 for the first time this season. Plaxton completed the 30.30 km course in 1:40:24. Plaxton was the only Canadian to finish the race, as Derek Zandstra, Geoff Kabush and Adam Morka did not finish.
“Today was a break-through performance, said Plaxton. “The legs felt great. I’m really looking forward to the World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne.”
The event in France was the last Olympic qualifying event for Mountain biking. The International Cycling Union will be shortly be unveiling the quotas per country. Entering the event, Canada had already secured two spots on the start line for both men and women’s mountain biking for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Canada’s Mountain Bike Olympic selection pool will be announced on June 8.
RESULTS – MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP – LA BRESSE, FRA
Men Elite
1. ABSALON Julien (FRA / ORBEA RACING TEAM) 1:37:33
2. KULHAVY Jaroslav (CZE / SPECIALIZED RACING) +0:07
3. NAEF Ralph (SUI / MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM) +0:40
4. VOGEL Florian (SUI / SCOTT – SWISSPOWER MTB RACING TEAM) +1:24
5. GIGER Fabian (SUI / RABOBANK GIANT OFFROAD TEAM) +1:41
9. PLAXTON Max (CAN) +2:51
83. ZANDSTRA Derek (CAN / SCOTT-3ROXRACING)
DNF. KABUSH Geoff (CAN / SCOTT-3ROXRACING)
DNF. MORKA Adam(CAN)
Women Elite
1. DAHLE FLESJAA Gunn-Rita (NOR / MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM) 1:39:57
2. NASH Katerina (CZE / LUNA PRO TEAM) +0:16
3. BRESSET Julie (FRA / BH – SR SUNTOUR – PEISEY VALLANDRY) +0 :55
4. PENDREL Catharine (CAN / LUNA PRO TEAM) +1:12
5. WLOSZCZOWSKA Maja (POL / CCC POLKOWICE) +2:22
9. BATTY Emily (CAN / SUBARU – TREK) +3:51
21. PREMONT Marie-Helene (CAN) +8:21
30. SIN Amanda (CAN / SCOTT-3ROXRACING) +11:33
42. BERKENPAS Jean Ann (CAN) +16:11
