Pendrel and Plaxton tops at Test of Metal
Catharine Pendrel and Max Plaxton triumphed at the Test of Metal race over the weekend in Squamish, B.C. Both have won the race before, but had been absent for recent editions.
Plaxton finished the course in 2:30:54, to win his third TOM title, after back to back victories in 2008 and 2009. Plaxton had hoped to capitalize on the excellent conditions to set a new course record. The current record-holder, Geoff Kabush, set a time of 2:29:45 in 2010.
Thank u @testofmetal for putting on another rad mtb race. Stoked 2 take my 3rd win n’ while the loop is a bit longer, way better! Party time
— Max Plaxton (@MaxPlaxton) June 15, 2014
Plaxton faced challenges early in the 2014 season, having to rest an injured knee, but is fully recovered. The ShoAir Cannondale rider will be racing in the remaining US Cup races, where he is ranked third overall. He will also race for Canada at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, before returning to the World Cup circuit for both the Mont Sainte Anne and Windham races.
Catharine Pendrel earned her fifth Test of Metal title, winning every “prime” subsection of the course on the way to a final time of 2:55:15, despite a flat tire just after the two hour mark. Pendrel holds the current women’s course record of 2:45:45.
“It was pretty good out there today and I was feeling really good riding with a good group of guys but I had a flat tire before the Plunge and lost a decent chunk of time,” said Catharine.
For much of the race, Pendrel was riding far enough from the front of the women’s field to work with some of the male riders also on course.
“This year I got to do a lot of the climbing with former multi Ironman World Champion Peter Reid riding in the top 15 overall (men and women),” said Catharine, adding that she was forced to drop back with the flat tire.
Test of metal in Squamish delivered another fantastic day of racing. Thanks volunteers and racers for making it such an amazing event!
— Catharine Pendrel (@cpendrel) June 15, 2014
Both Plaxton and Pendrel are coached by Dan Proulx, who also serves as the national team coach.
In the men’s race, Evan Guthrie finished second, while Kris Sneddon crossed the finish in third place.
Great day chasing around @MaxPlaxton at the @testofmetal yesterday. Happy with 2nd. Thanks to everyone to makes it such a great event!
— Evan Guthrie (@EvanwGuthrie) June 15, 2014
Jean Ann Berkenpas of Valemount, BC finished second in the women’s race, followed by Wendy Simms.
