Canadians tops at US Cup opener
Canadian Riders flooded the top of the results at the Bonelli Park US Cup cross country races held this past weekend in San Dimas, California. Emily Batty and Raphael Gagne topped the women’s and men’s fields, with a large number of Canadians through the top ten in both races.
Our series leaders @emilybatty and @raphaelgagne after one round of racing! #bonellipark #uscup pic.twitter.com/wcIRTY8tEK
— Sho-AirCyclingGroup (@ShoAirCG) March 15, 2015
A new course layout for the 2015 event allowed for good passing opportunities while adding in more tight and technical single track sections with steep climbs and descents. Many of the Canadian riders have been training in the southwestern US to help prepare for the US Cup races this spring.
Batty, who won the women’s race spent most of her winter down south training with husband and coach Adam Morka. Batty was able to excel in the long hot race to beat out 2014 World Champion Catharine Pendrel.
Wow,I can't express how happy I am to start the season off w/ a win here @ the 1st US Cup.Huge thnx 2 @adammorka @TrekFactoryMTB @TrekBikes
— Emily Batty (@emilybatty) March 14, 2015
Pendrel was wearing her white and rainbow champion’s jersey, but even the light colour wasn’t enough to keep down the heat. Despite this, Pendrel claimed second place ahead of LUNA teammate Georgia Gould at the end of the seven lap race.
Great start to the year with 2nd place today in bonelli. Hottest, longest race of the year in the bag? #hopeso
— Catharine Pendrel (@cpendrel) March 15, 2015
Sandra Walter slotted into ninth place, just behind American Scott-3Rox rider Erin Huck. Norco’s Haley Smith finished 12th, while LUNA’s Maghalie Rochette snagged 13th place. Scott-3Rox rider Teal-Stetson Lee has been recovering from injury to finish 19th overall.
Holy moly that was a hot one!! Fun day at the #BonelliPark #uscup. Happy with 12th aboard my @NorcoBicycles Revolver at 2015's 1st race!
— Haley Smith (@hale_smith) March 14, 2015
In the men’s race, Canadians Raphael Gagne and Max Plaxton separated from the pack to battle for the overall lead. The two finished first and second respectively. Gagne is building on successes last season to further push his profile in Canadian men’s mountain biking. Plaxton was happy to have the second place after what was a dismal 2014 season for the Sho-Air/Cannondale rider.
@MaxPlaxton and @raphaelgagne leading US CUP #1 Bonelli with 1 lap to go. 30sec advantage over chasers! pic.twitter.com/yVffVSbQqL
— Cycling Canada MTB (@CanMTBcycling) March 14, 2015
Adam Morka finished sixth overall, bettering both Scott-3Rox riders Derek Zandstra and Geoff Kabush – seventh and eighth respectively.
Cali. Heat! Happy to open the season with a 6th place finish at ProXCT#1 Bonelli. Still dialling… https://t.co/elU0haAWeb
— adam morka (@adammorka) March 15, 2015
First #uscup race at Bonelli done. Dust and high heat was welcomed after this cold winter. Intro… https://t.co/OJw8WIwr1k
— Derek Zandstra (@derekzandstra) March 16, 2015
Got engine fired up for the first time yesterday. Solid first ride in stacked field & really positive… https://t.co/fF3FpRzRGr
— Geoff Kabush (@GeoffKabush) March 15, 2015
World Cup regulars such as Anton Cooper, Sergio Gutierrez, Manuel Fumic, Todd Wells and Marco Fontana all added to the competition in the men’s race.
The series resumes this weekend for the Fontana City National, in Fontana, California.
