Smith has one goal here at Mont-Sainte-Anne: win his first World Cup race of the season

(Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC – August 8, 2013) Canadian downhill star Steve Smith of Cassidy, BC, racing for Devinci Global Racing, has one goal on his mind as he enter his final preparations for the finals of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne, on Sunday: to win his first World Cup race this season.

Last year in 2012, at Hafjell in Norway Smith won his first World Cup race in Hafjell, Norway. This year, Smith won medals in back to back races to start the season, in Fort William and Val di Sole.

In the qualifying run on Friday, Smith proved that he has what it takes to accomplish this goal as he posted the fastest qualifying time of the group of 111 riders, which includes the reigning World Champion Greg Minnaar of South African, and the current World Cup Leader, Gee Atherton of Great Britain.

Smith was impressed with the track here at Mont-Sainte-Anne: « It’s a completely different track than what we normally see in the world. It’s its own kind and completely amazing. It’s so fast and the dirt is amazing. The rain we have received helped out quite a bit. Yesterday morning the track was pretty bad and slow. It allowed us to cut some ruts, but the rain helped out to pact it up. Now, we can hold speed through corners, and it’s as pretty good as it’s going to get right now. »

Steve Smith won the silver medal at the 2010 World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne, but the track changed and Sunday will offer new challenges: « There are some sections that are the same, but overall it changed quite a bit. It only evolved and it’s getting better and better. »

Smith recently won the Canadian Mountain Bike Downhill Championships in Panorama, BC, and is now wearing the coveted Maple Leaf on his sleeve. « This my first time being the Canadian Champion. Its nice to race in Canada, even though I am not close to home. It feels really good to wear the sleeve. »

For the race on Sunday, Smith is confident his equipment has the right components to go fast. « The suspension and geometry are going to stay the same for Sunday because the track is fast and I know what I need. What might change due to the sun or not will be the tire choice. Right now I have cut spikes, but we’ll see what happens on Sunday. »

In the women’s race, Vaea Verbeeck was the fastest of the women’s group with a time of 5:27.846. Along with Verbeeck, three other Canadian women will be racing on Sunday.

The current Canadian Champion Micayla Gatto of North Vancouver, BC, was the victim of a flat in the top section of the course, and finished last of the group. The flat didn’t deflate her spirit, and she’ll be ready to perform on Sunday.

« I think [the track] is awesome here. The buffed out a lot of stuff so its less rough than most years. Unfortunately it rained so it roughed it up a little bit, but the dirt is perfect, » said the unlucky Gatto, after her run. « I was having so much fun in practice. Today I happened to front flat near the top. I don’t think I even run down a mountain that fast today. Despite the flat, I am really looking forward to race day. It’s a smaller field since few of the girls are broken right now, but all the top girls are here so it should make for some tough competition.

Gatto was seen at the track wearing her Canadian Champion outfit. « It definitely feels good to have the Canadian Champion jersey again. Even though Mont-Sainte-Anne is a five hour plane ride, it still feels like home as I have been coming here for so long. »

In the junior men’s seeding runs, Canadian rider Jack Iles had a good day on the track, qualifying with the sixth fastest time of the day. A total of 12 Canadian junior riders qualified for the finals.

Every cross-country races will be held on Saturday, with the espoirs (U23) and Junior women starting the day at 9am Eastern Time. The elite women will start at 11:30am, followed by the men’s race at 2pm. To end the day, the espoirs (U23) and junior men will take to the course at 4:30pm.

All the action at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC can be viewed live through www.redbull.tv.

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RESULTS – SEEDING RUNS – DOWNHILL – UCI WORLD CUP – MONT-SAINTE-ANNE, QC

Men Elite – Qualified

1. SMITH, Steve (CAN) DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING 4:05.183

2. HART, Danny (GBR) GIANT FACTORY OFF-ROAD TEAM +1.097

3. BLENKINSOP, Samuel (NZL) LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC +2.645

==========

45. GAUVIN, Remi (CAN) +17.571

47. MCDOWALL, Kirk (CAN) +18.811

48. SANGERS, Kyle (CAN) +19.061

68. SLOTEGRAAF, Sidney (CAN) +24.086

71. THIBAULT, Samuel (CAN) +24.346

74. RIESCO, Forrest (CAN) +25.056

78. FRASER, Rob (CAN) +27.361

Women Elite – Qualified

1. ATHERTON, Rachel (GBR) GT FACTORY RACING 4:42.418

2. RAGOT, Émmeline (FRA) LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC +0.892

3. PUGIN, Floriane (FRA) GSTAAD-SCOTT +1.645

4. CARPENTER, Manon (GBR) MADISON SARACEN DOWNHILL TEAM +6.399

5. SIEGENTHALER, Émilie (SUI) GSTAAD-SCOTT +11.685

=========

11. VERBEECK, Vaea (CAN) +45.128

14. HILL, Jaime (CAN) +57.190

19. COURTNEY, Kristen (CAN) +2:28.042

20. GATTO, Micayla (CAN) +5:44.118

Men Junior – Qualified

1. GRAHAM, Innes (GBR) MS MONDRAKER TEAM 4:20.881

2. SHAW, Luca (USA) SPECIALIZED RACING DH +1.685

3. NIEDERBERGER, Noel (SUI) GSTAAD-SCOTT +7.049

4. VERGIER, Loris (FRA) LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC +7.116

5. GULLAND, Morgan (GBR) GREAT BRITAIN +7.573

=========

6. ILES, Jack (CAN) CANADA +8.530

10. VEZINA, McKay (CAN) CANADA +12.344

17. GEDDES, Alexander (CAN) CANADA +25.173

23. LANGEVIN, Hugo (CAN) CANADA +29.498

24. O’KEEFE, Mitchell (CAN) CANADA +32.890

26. BENNETT, Chris (CAN) CANADA – B +34.844

27. JACKSON, Lee (CAN) CANADA +35.223

30. HARDWICK, Matt (CAN) CANADA +46.220

31. WYATT, Kelln (CAN) CANADA – B +50.883

35. DESPRES-MORIN, Benjamin (CAN) CANADA – B +5:14.470

DNF. WALLACE, Mark (CAN) DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING

DNF. IRVINE, Bowen (CAN) CANADA

Lanthier-Nadeau and Bouchard takes gold in Mountain Bike Sprint race

(Ottawa, ON – August 7, 2013) Québec added two gold medals to its tally today, winning both the men and women eliminator race as the mountain bike events came to a close today at the Canada Games in Sherbrooke, QC.

The event, which is fast, fun and spectator-friendly, was presented for the very first time at the Canada Games this year, and with such a great turnout from the fans, the event is quickly becoming a must in mountain bike.

In the men’s sprint race, Léandre Bouchard ended his 2013 Canada Games on a perfect note, winning his third gold medal in as many races at these Canada Games.

Bouchard is riding strong lately in the short but fast-paced race, taking the victory of the Eliminator race both at the 2013 Canadian championships and these Canada Games. At these Games, he won the cross-country race, as well as being a member of the gold-medal team that won the team relay.

Bouchard opened the day by posting the fastest qualifying time of the group, which gave him lane choice advantages for the elimination rounds, and continued to excel throughout the heats, all the way to the final race of the day.

“I gave everything I had – it was to my advantage. I kept up the pressure the entire race. In the finals, we gave everything because there is nothing after, and that’s what I did. I’m really happy with these three gold medals earned at the Canada Games. I’m really happy with the triple gold,” commented Bouchard after the race, still catching his breath by his effort.

Asked if the eliminator would become a specialty, Bouchard confirmed his focus would still remain on the longer distance cross country races.

“I can not say that the eliminator will become a specialty of mine, admitted Bouchard. “I always focussed on the cross-country. That being said, I feel very good on this type of course offered in the Eliminator. I think my power at the start is one of my strengths, which helps me a lot on a course like this one. I am capable of producing a lot of watt over a distance like this. This is what allowed me to stand out today.”

Bouchard will participate in the Canadian uniform at the Mont-Sainte-Anne stop of the UCI World Cup this Saturday. “This competition at the Canada Games was a good preparation for the World Cup at Mont-Sainte-Anne, this weekend. I hope for a Top 10 this weekend, in the U23 cross-country race.”

In second place came Andrew L’Esperance of Team Nova Scotia, crossing the line shortly after Bouchard. Quinn Moberg of Team BC took the third place.

In the women’s sprint race, it is Andreanne Lanthier-Nadeau, also of Team Québec, who crossed the line first. The young athlete posted the fastest time of the qualifier in the morning, and went on to win every heat of the day to take the gold medal.

“Today I knew I had the power in the legs to do well in the sprint event. I gave everything in every round,” said a smiling Lanthier-Nadeau. “I had a small disappointment in team relay with a puncture that cost us dearly, so it’s good to win today. The Canada Games end on a positive note.”

“The sprint event is a race that has no forgiveness. I find it fun to see the power in its purest form, both men and women. The riders have a lot of fun, and I think the format is great for spectators.”

Laura Bietola of Team Ontario took the silver medal, edging Laurence Harvey of Team Québec at the finish line.

The Mountain Bikers will now turn their focus towards the 2013 UCI World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC, which is disputed this weekend.

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Olympian and Two-time Canadian Champion is registered to race in Canada Cup Finals

(Ottawa, ON – August 5, 2013) Two-time Canadian Champion and Olympian Max Plaxton (Sho-Air Cannondale) of Victoria, BC is registered to race the Canada Cup Finals in Whistler, which will be held August 14^th in Whistler. The Canada Cup event is part, for the first time, of the internationally-acclaimed Crankworx mountain bike festival.

The race, which will be held on the Lost Lake Trails at the world-class resort, will be the last one of the 2013 Canada Cup season, proclaiming the newest Canada Cup Champion.

“It’s always good to race at home, in your province. I don’t get the chance that often to race close to home, especially in such a beautiful place like Whistler. In addition, it’s great preparation for the upcoming world championships in South Africa. I’m really excited about this race on the west coast, and it would be nice to have this event become a fixture on the Canada Cup circuit year after year,” said Max Plaxton, Olympian and two-time Canadian Champion.

The leaders entering this final race of the 2013 Canada Cup Series are Antoine Caron (Specialized Racing) and Sandra Walter (Liv/Giant Canada), who both won medals at the recent Canadian Championships, in the elite categories, and Félix Burke and Canadian Champion Rachel Pageau in the junior categories.

Caron, with 485 points, currently has a 75 points lead over Evan McNeely (Norco Factory) in second place of the Elite Men category, while American racer Stephen Ettigner (BMC Mountain Bike) sits in third with 400 points. Evan Guthrie, who is already registered, could ride away with the title with a strong performance in Whistler, currently sitting in fourth at 350 points.

In the women’s Elite standings, Walter is enjoying a perfect season at 600 points. Her closest competitor is Andréanne Pichette (OPUS) with 505 points, while Frédérique Trudel (Specialized Racing Canada) is sitting third at 415 points. It will take a very strong performance for Pichette to dislodge the perfect Walter from the top spot, but her second place is not guaranteed with a roaring Trudel, in her rookie season in the elite category, still within reach of the second place.

The tightest race might very well be within the junior men category, with three riders separated by only 50 points. Félix Burke (CVM 2 Vals) is leading with 255 points, but not too close is the red-hot Peter Disera (Team Ontario / CSAJCC p/b Norco) with 230 points. In third comes Félix Belhumeur (Lessard Bicycles). All three have just been named to the Canadian team headed to the World Championships in South Africa.

The women’s junior race is currently an all-Quebec affair, with the current Junior Canadian Champion Rachel Pageau (Club Cycle D’alma / Ekoi Devinci) leading the pack with 285 points. Marine Lewis is sitting in second place with only 15 points separating her from the top spot of the series. Sarah-Claudie Dostie-Ménard (CVM ProCycle Hull/Aylmer-Specialized) is sitting in third place, with 200 points

Registration recently opened for the Canadian Open XC / Canada Cup Final. All race information can be available at the following event page: http://www.crankworx.com/whistler/events/canada-cup-xc

Current rankings – 2013 Canada Cup XC Mountain Bike

• Men Elite: https://cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013-Canada-Cup-Rankings-EM-XC-July-151.pdf
• Women Elite: https://cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013-Canada-Cup-Rankings-EW-XC-July-15.pdf
• Men Junior: https://cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013-Canada-Cup-Rankings-MJ-July-15.pdf
• Women Junior: https://cyclingcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013-Canada-Cup-Ranking-WJ-XC-July-15.pdf

Although the race is sanctioned by the UCI and Cycling Canada, every participants will be able to take part to the Crankworx mountain bike festival as a complimentary event licence will be provided by Crankworx in collaboration with Cycling BC. All the cycling community for Whistler and Vancouver area will have the chance to ride this amazing course alongside of Olympians.

Two new Mountain Bike events added to the program

(Ottawa, ON – August 2, 2013) The 2013 Canada Games are set to begin in Sherbrooke, QC, and the best Mountain bikers under the age of 23 are ready to roar and win for their respective provinces and territories.

New in 2013 is the addition of two new spectator-friendly Mountain Bike events, the sprint, also known as the Eliminator, and the team relay.

“First, we congratulate every athlete and staff members who are participating at these Canada Games. This event represent a key experience in athlete development, and we are excited to see such a strong group of athletes and coaches at these Games,” said Mathieu Boucher, Director of Domestic Performance at Cycling Canada.

“We are confident that the experience for everyone will be amazing. The selection comes after a long and lengthy process, and it’s a real accomplishment for these athletes to represent their provinces and territories. Having worked extensively with the local organizing committee led by Luc Dugual and his team, we can positively say that this will be a memorable experience for everyone.”

Both the women and men’s races will be exciting, with many high-profile athletes participating. Frédérique Trudel (Team Québec), the recent Espoirs Canadian Champion and two-time Junior Canadian Champion headlines the group. Andréane Lanthier-Nadeau (Team Québec), Karlee Gendron (Team Manitoba), Laura Bietola (Team Ontario), Cayley Brooks (Team Ontario), Hayley Smith (Team Ontario) are all expected to provide stiff competition to the Canadian Champion. All these riders have a wealth of international experience representing Canada at UCI Pan-American Championships, World Cup or World Championships.

In the men’s race, the very powerful group of Canada’s U23 riders are expected to leave everything on the course to take the ultimate honours. The reigning Canadian Champion Mitchell Bailey (Team Ontario) is expected to come out strong at this event as he’s in prime form, but many will be looking to win the Canada Games title after the recent Canadian Championships. Two-time Espoirs Canadian Champion and current Eliminator Canadian Champion Léandre Bouchard (Team Québec) will be in attendance, along with Evan Guthrie (Team BC), Andrew L’Esperance (Team Nova Scotia), Evan McNeely (Team Ontario), Antoine Caron (Team Québec) and Jérémy Martin (Team Québec).

The Mountain Bike event, which features the best U23 cyclists, at the 2013 Canada Games start on August 3rd with the traditional cross-country races. The team relay will be held on August 5, while the sprint races will take place on August 7th.

Road cycling events will be held the following week.

Registration list – Mountain Bike – 2013 Canada Games

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u345tzt4d2mmao5/CyclingEntries_MoutainBike_Public.xls

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Team Relay and Master races highlight the last day of competition at Canadian Championships

(Barrie, ON – July 21, 2013) Team Québec ‘Numéro Un QC’ were the fastest four-member squad during the fun Team Relay on Sunday, winning the tightly contested race between Team Ontario to close the 2013 Canadian Cross Country Mountain Bike Championships at Hardwood Ski and Bike, near Barrie, ON.

The winning team, comprised of Raphael Gagné, Canadian Eliminator Champion Léandre Bouchard, Antoine Caron and Andréane Lanthier-Nadeau as the Female rider, came out on top of the large group of 10 teams in the Championships category.

Team ‘Numéro Un QC’ took off along with Team Ontario right from the start, and both teams controlled the front of the race right from the first lap. Throughout the four-lap race, the two teams exchanged leads a few times before the final stretch, when Antoine Caron outsprinted Cameron Jette of Team Ontario at the finish line to take Québec’s first ever Team Relay victory at Canadian Championships.

In second place came the defending Canadian Champions of Team Ontario (Mitch Baily, Peter Disera, Amanda Sin and Antoine Caron), followed by ‘Deux c’est mieux QC’, the second team from Québec (Alexandre Vialle, Raphael Auclair, Frédérique Trudel and Patrick Chartrand).

The Team Relay has been on the permanent Canadian Championships program for a third consecutive year, and has now been held five times at the event. Ontario teams won three times, with British Columbia and Québec each taking one title.

The Master races were also held on this last day of competition. Danny Souter (KHS Bicycles) won the race in the Master A (30-39) category. In the Master B (40-49) category, Robert Holmgren (Velocity Cycle and Ski) took the victory, racing in the largest category of the weekend with 36 participants. In the Master C (50+), it’s Christian Lalancette (Cycle Néron Specialized) who won the ultimate prize, taking the title for the third consecutive year.

In the women’s master races, Carmen Labbé (Quilicot-Rackultara) took the Canadian Champion jersey of the women’s 30-39 age category. Linda Shin (Blacksmith Cycle), racing with a Korean licence, won the same race but did not receive the right to the title since she is not a permanent Canadian resident. Lisa Holmgren (Veloctity Cycle and Ski) won the women 40+ race.

Canadian Challenges were also held for a wide range of age categories, ranging from U11 to Masters 60+.

This premier Mountain Bike event will be hosted back at Hardwood Ski and Bike for a second consecutive time after the successful hosting of this year’s edition.

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The 2013 Canadian Cross-Country Mountain Bike Championships is Canada’s top domestic cross country mountain bike event. The event annually attracts some of the country’s best mountain bikers challenging for the ‘Red and White’ jerseys awarded to the Canadian Champions. Organized by the Pulse Racing Club at the Hardwood Ski and Bike Resort near Barrie, ON, the event is governed by the Cycling Canada, a member of the International Cycling Union (UCI).

The 2013 Canadian Cross-Country Mountain Bike Championships is made possible thanks to the close collaboration between the Cycling Canada, the Ontario Cycling Association, and the Pulse Racing club. The event will be held from July 17th to 21th and showcases racing in junior and elite categories.

RESULTS – 2013 CANADIAN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – HARDWOOD SKI AND BIKE, ON

Team Relay

1. Numéro Un QC (Raphaël Gagné, Léandre Bouchard, Andréane Lanthier-Nadeau, Antoine Caron) 48:38

2. Team Ontario (Mitch Bailey, Peter Disera, Amanda Sin, Cam Jette) 48.39

3. Deux c`est mieux QC (Alexandre Vialle, Raphaël Auclair, Frédérique Trudel, Patrick Chartrand) 49.51

Master Women 30-39

1. Linda Shin (Blacksmith Cycle) [Oakville, ON] 1:24:41.7 (Race winner)

2. Carmen Labbé (Quilicot – Rackultra) [Ste Foy, QC] 1:26:15.6 (Canadian Champion)

3. Lisa Hutson (HBCC) [West Montrose, ON] 1:28:32.9

4. Abigail Owsley (Pedal Power Racing) [London, ON] 1:29:57.2

Master Women 40+

1. Lisa Holmgren (Velocity Cycle And Ski) [Orillia, ON] 1:21:44.9

2. Noelle Wansbrough (Kamikaze Racing) [Collingwood, ON] 1:26:25.9

3. Lori Davis (Barrie/Simcoe Cycling Club) [Barrie, ON] 1:28:20.7 

Master Men 30-39

1. Danny Souter (KHS Bicycles) [Kitchener, ON] 1:33:53.7

2. Eric Batty (Trek Store C.C.) [Brooklin, ON] 1:34:47.6

3. Christopher McNeil (Soul Sportif) [Kamloops, BC] 1:35:04.0

Master Men 40-49

1. Robert Holmgren (Velocity Cycle And Ski) [Orillia ON] 1:32:43.6

2. Jon Barnes (Trek Canada Mountain Bike Team) [ON] 1:33:23.1

3. Brian McKeown (Radical Edge) [Fredericton, NB] 1:34:35.9

Mastes Men 50+

1. Christian Lalancette (Cycle Néron Specialized) [QC] 1:38:15.0

2. Robert Sule (ERACE Cancer Cycling Team) [ON] 1:41:22.3

3. Alain Beaudry (CVM Procycle) [Hull−Aylmer QC] 1:42:05.2