Catharine Pendrel wins 2014 world mountain bike cross country title
Canadian cross country mountain biker Catharine Pendrel won the second world championship title of her career on Saturday. The Team Luna racer finished the Hafjell, Norway course in one hour, 31 minutes, 30 seconds.
Pendrel rode with the lead group from the start. Halfway through the first lap, the Canadian had taken the lead. Pendrel likes to control a race from the front and extended her advantage throughout the race.
However, drama on the final lap gave the Canadian a little extra stress. Pendrel suffered a flat tire in the rough conditions. Her mechanics were able to change in a new wheel and tire with enough time for the Luna rider to maintain her lead and race to victory.
In July, Pendrel won the cross country event at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She won her first world title in 2011 in Champery, Switzerland.
Amazing day saved by @dustylabarr ninja wheel changing skills. World champ!! Thanks @orbea for the #BornToWinOiz @ShimanoMTB @lunaproteam
— Catharine Pendrel (@cpendrel) September 6, 2014
Pendrel finished with a margin of 21 seconds over Irina Kalentieva, the second place finisher and 2013 World Champion.
Time well spent! Thanks @Oakley for the matching shades! pic.twitter.com/dYJu6pXZYI
— Catharine Pendrel (@cpendrel) September 6, 2014
American Lea Davidson claimed third place, 43 seconds back from Pendrel.
Emily Batty of Trek Factory Racing finished sixth, ahead of Maja Wloszczowska by just three seconds.
Worked for my candy this year. Finished the season off with a 6th place finish at #Norway2014 World… http://t.co/GQywhxa4z4
— Emily Batty (@emilybatty) September 6, 2014
Sandra Walter managed to go the distance to finish 34th overall. The Liv/Giant rider recently won the 2014 Canada Cup title, and 2014 Canadian Marathon XC title.
Thanks to everyone who cheered for and supported. It means so much that you wanted to share this experience with… http://t.co/84B0pxmKiw
— Sandra Walter (@SandraWalterMTB) September 6, 2014
Mikaela Kofman broke her hand on the Monday before the World Championships, but opted to race. The Scott-3Rox rider finished the are one lap down despite heavy swelling in her right hand.
Was dealt a tough deck of cards here at 2014 world champs. Broke my hand on Monday but decided to suck… http://t.co/aJ1XNHUc0u
— MikaelaKofman (@mikaelafudge) September 6, 2014
Thanks to strong efforts by all of the Canadians, the women’s elite team took top honours at the World Championships.
Canada’s Elite Women’s Team ranked #1 in the World at today’s World Championships!! @cpendrel @emilybatty @sandrawalter @mikaelafudge
— Cycling Canada MTB (@CanMTBcycling) September 6, 2014