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Canadian women dominate third US Cup MTB race

Emily Batty
April 14, 2015
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The US Cup mountain bike series returned to Bonelli Park in San Dimas, California for round three on Saturday. four weeks after winning the opening round on a similar course, Emily Batty again came out victorious after a close sprint to the finish.

Batty started the race ranked second in the series standings, and was striving to move back into the points lead. Batty was well positioned for the final sprint against Catharine Pendrel, with the World Champion finishing second to the Trek rider.

The two were less than a bike length apart in the sprint with both riders punching the pedals in the closing meters of the race.

“It was an amazing day. I’ve worked so hard the last while with my husband Adam and the whole team,” said Batty. “It came down to being a tactical event, and I was feeling really strong. I was descending really well and cornering really well so I through an attack in a corner and literally left it all out there.”

Batty attacked a few times at the end of the second last lap in an effort to shake up the rhythm of the event. taking over the lead on the final lap, the Trek rider held the lead to the finish in a nail-biting result.

“With this course, you’re pretty much on it the whole time,” said Pendrel. “Emily likes to sit in and attack last lap. I knew and was prepared for that. I was in a good position going at the finish, but I just didn’t have enough at the end.”

Swede Jenny Rissveds of Scott- Odlo finished third. Scott-3Rox rider Erin Huck claimed fourth spot ahead of Luna racer Georgia Gould.

Scott-Odlo’s Nino Schurter won the men’s race, the clear favourite on the entry list. But not far back was Canadian Raphael Gagné, who won the opening race of the US Cup season, and finished second at round two. Riding for Rocky Mountain, Gagné has put in an impressive start to the season.

“It’s a really tough course with a lot of up and downs,” said Schurter, who flatted halfway through the race. “You really can’t recover, especially with the dry conditions, you have to be really careful in cornering.”

“I’m super happy with my race,” said Gagné. “Coming second to Nino, it’s a big win for me. UCI points are a big thing, and it’s great to have those here in North America. I’m pretty sure to be taking back the leader’s jersey, which is great!”

Sergio Manticon crossed in third place, after working with Gagné to break away from the main chase group. Scott-3Rox rider Derek Zandstra crossed the finish to take fourth place.

 

 

American Stephen Ettinger rounded out the podium in fifth place. Adam Morka claimed a top ten result.

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