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Catharine Pendrel wins 2014 world mountain bike cross country title

Cycling Canada Cyclisme

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.

Pendrel finished with a margin of 21 seconds over Irina Kalentieva, the second place finisher and 2013 World Champion.

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.

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.

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.

Thanks to strong efforts by all of the Canadians, the women’s elite team took top honours at the World Championships.

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