Olympic MTB selection: Pendrel, Batty, Kabush and Plaxton

The Canadian Cycling Association and the Canadian Olympic Committee announced Geoff Kabush, Max Plaxton, Catharine Pendrel and Emily Batty will represent the nation at the Olympic mountain bike events from August 11-12 in London.

Kabush won two races at the Whiskey Off Road in Arizona. He also placed second at the Mellow Johnny’s Classic in Texas, won Sea Otter’s long course and finished third in the short course in California. He placed eleventh at the second World Cup in Belgium. He has also competed at the Olympic Games on two occasions in Sydney and Beijing.
Plaxton, the current national champion, placed ninth at the most recent World Cup in France. “It’s a huge honor to be selected to the represent Canada in the London 2012 Olympic Summer Games. I’ve worked extremely hard the last four years to make this goal a reality. I’m excited about both the experience and the challenge of racing the world’s best mountain bikers in London,” he said.

Pendrel, the current world and national champion, and Batty are top contenders for a medal during the mountain bike event. “I am thrilled to be representing Canada at the 2012 Olympics in London, and will do my best to give Canada a performance to cheer for and be proud of,” said Pendrel.

Batty opened the season with a second place at the World Cup round one in South Africa, and Pendrel placed third. Pendrel won the second World Cup in Belgium, and Batty placed seventh.

The pair went on to the third World Cup in Czech Republic, where Pendrel placed sixth and Batty tenth. Pendrel finished just off the podium in fourth and Batty placed ninth in the most recent World Cup in France.