Pendrel to race cyclocross nationals

Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro) will participate in the national cyclocross championships held this weekend at the South Surrey Athletic Park in Surrey, B.C. The former world mountain bike champion aims to have a little off-season fun and has no ambitions to compete at the upcoming cyclocross world championships in Kentucky.

“Cyclocross has definitely been just a fun dalliance for me,” Pendrel told Canadian Cycling Magazine. “I think I have six days on my ‘cross bike this year. I started the Interior Cross series to get more people racing in the interior and it has been a lot of fun being involved with grassroots racing.”

Although Pendrel’s main focus is on the mountain bike, she has competed at the cyclocross nationals in 2007 in Kamloops and in 2010 in Toronto.

“I made it to nationals two years ago in Toronto and had a blast but usually I try to cut back on travelling in the fall and do adventure rides,” she said. “This year, it’s close to home and my husband is going fast and wants to race.”

When asked if she feels prepared enough to win the title, Pendrel said, “I always give it my best, but I know there are a lot of women like Pepper [Harlton] and Mical [Dyck] that have made ‘cross their focus and are very good at it. Winning would be pretty tough, but I’ll try to make it exciting to watch.”

Pendrel noted some of the strong racers in attendance this weekend including Harlton, Dyck and B.C. cyclists Sandra Walter, Jean Ann Mckirdy and Leah Guloien.

“I think Pepper should be the favourite based on ‘cross races this year, as well as Mical,” she said. “There are a couple B.C. women going quite fast and of course you never want to count out Emily Batty.”

Many of the elite racers are vying for a spot on the national team to race the cyclocross world championships held in Louisville this winter. Pendrel, however, has no intention of competing for the world title. “February is too cold for bike racing,” she said. “A ski race on the other hand isn’t out of the question.”