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2015 U.S. Cup Pro Series No. 2 – Fontana City

March 21, 2015
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One week after the start of the US Cup season, Canadians played a key role in the second round of the series in Fontana City, California.

Emily Batty of Trek Factory Racing won the opening round at Bonelli, and played a decisive role in Fontana as well. Part of the leading group from the start, Batty quickly found herself in a throng of LUNA riders, including Catharine Pendrel, Katerina Nash and Georgia Gould.

The LUNA riders took turns pushing Batty in an effort to wear out the winner of the first round. Batty had a light fall on the fourth lap. Though she was up and riding quickly, the gap behind Nash was too much to make up.

Coming into the finish behind Nash, Gould, Pendrel and Batty all vied for the sprint for second, with Gould crossing ahead of the Canadians. Batty finished third just ahead of Pendrel.

“It was a total battle out there, trying to sit second wheel,” said Batty, who is ranked second in the series standings. “There were three of them so it would’ve been pretty disappointing if they didn’t get it.”

Scott-3Rox rider Erin Huck claimed fifth. Canadian Liv Giant rider Sandra Walter finished 8th. Cindy Montambault and Maghalie Rochette, of Val-David and St-Jerome finished 15th and 17th. Haley Smith of Norco finished 18th, just ahead of Frederique Trudel.

A strong men’s field was led out by a group including Raphael Gagne of Rocky Mountain, and Geoff Kabush, of Scott-3Rox. Joining them in the lead group were Anton Cooper and Marco Fontana, both of Cannondale Factory Racing, Todd Wells, Stephan Ettinger and Andrea Tiberi.

At one point, the lead group was up to nine riders strong, with a chase being put on by Max Plaxton of Sho-Air/Cannondale. Cooper and Gagne pushed the group hard, the pair eventually breaking free and racing to the finish.

Partway through the final lap, Cooper attacked leaving Gagne behind. Cooper won the race, while Gagne claimed second.

“Good job to Anton. He’s a super-tough guy,” said Gagne at the finish. “I felt stronger today than last week, so I’m real happy with my race. The course was great, I really liked it.”

Gagne holds second overall in the series standings behind Cooper. However, the New Zealander is heading home to continue preparations for the World Cup season, opening the door for Gagne with three US Cup races still to come.


Adam Morka and Derek Zandstra are both in the top ten in the series rankings, while Kabush slots in at 14th place after a couple of tough results.

For more details on the first race of the series, check out the report on the Bonelli Park event, the first in the series, this past weekend.