Gallery: Elite Women XCO World Cup Mont-Sainte-Anne

Photo's from an incredible day of World Cup racing for Canada's fastest XC racers

Matt Stetson August 13, 2018

Images: Matt Stetson

Emily Batty continued her exceptional season on Sunday, finishing third in the Elite Women’s XCO World Cup at Mont-Sainte-Anne in Quebec.

Batty wasn’t the only Canadian to benefit from the very supportive home crowd. Haley Smith (Norco Factory Team) had her best ever World Cup result, finishing in eighth.

Catharine Pendrel, who holds the record for most Women’s XCO World Cup wins on the Mont-Sainte-Anne course, finished 16th. It was the Canadian Olympian’s first race back since breaking her arm in training earlier this season.

The classic World Cup venue has been on the schedule continuously since 1991, hosting 16 World Cup’s and two world championships events. UCI mountain bike world championships return to the venue again for 2019.

Emily Batty always draws a crowd at MSA, even during her warm up

Batty chose to race her Trek Procaliber hardtail, seen here getting last minute adjustments

Kate Courtney warms up while Annika Langvad keeps cool

The Kross Women are leading in the team standings. Maja Włoszczowska and Jolanda Neff warm up before MSA

Catharine Pendrel receives a warm welcome at her return to racing following a broken arm

While the venue's been on the World Cup circuit since 1991, there have been changes over the years. For 2018, there was a new start/finish straight.

Jolanda Neff used her technical skills to jump out to an early lead

Mont-Sainte-Anne's technical descents always cause chaos. Sandra Walter ended up leaving the race with a broken nose from a crash, but will return for the Le Bresse World Cup

Jenn Jackson started out well at Mont-Sainte-Anne

Pendrel looked confident in her return from injury at MSA, working up through the field into the top 15, before finishing 16th

Batty charges through the berms late in the race

American Erin Huck has been back on form this year. She finished 13th in Mont-Sainte-Anne

Haley Smith had her best World Cup finish, cracking the top 10 with an eighth place.

Jenn Jackson's fast start came to an abrupt stop with a hard crash. The DNF list at MSA is always a long one.

Haley Smith in berm country.

Reigning world champion Jolanda Neff takes another win.

Maja Włoszczowska cools down post-race. A flat tire late in the race dropped the Kross rider down to ninth.

Emily Batty helps cool down the fans from the podium.