Canadians in top ten at Worlds on Friday

Three Canadians cracked the top ten during the U23 and Junior level races at the 2013 Mountain Bike World Championships in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. During the friday races, the junior downhill men put in the strongest Canadian showing of the day.

Maghalie Rochette earned Canada’s best result in the women’s U23 cross country race, finishing ninth. Rochette finished 9:48 back from race winner Jolanda Neff of Switzerland.

Reigning Canadian champion Frederique Trudel was off the pace, finishing 26th overall, followed by fellow Canadians Laura Bietola and Andréane Lanthier-Nadeau.

In the men’s U23 competition, Italian Gerhard Kerschbaumer was fastest, finishing the race in 1:28:55.

Antoine Caron was the fastest Canadian on the course, finishing 23rd, 6:04 back from the winner.

HUGE thanks to @CanMTBcycling for the support. Blessed to have such generous people taking care of us.

— Antoine Caron (@antoine_caron) August 30, 2013

Léandre Bouchard finished one spot back, in 24th.

Jeremy Martin finished 33rd despite starting in last place. Evan McNeely crossed the finish in 41st, Evan Guthrie finished a lap down in 48th. Mitch Bailey finished three laps back, in 56th.

Don't know what to say, beyond rough day. Stomach issues had me bonding with the toilet the last couple days, ahh shit happens I guess..

— Evan Guthrie (@EvanwGuthrie) August 30, 2013

In the junior men’s downhill, two Canadians finished in the top ten.

Mckay Vezina posted the best Canadian result, finishing seventh, 14 seconds back from overall winner Richard Rude Jr. of the USA. This is Vezina’s career-best international result.

Mark Wallace finished ninth overall, 14.9 seconds back of the winner.