Pendrel to sit out nationals

Catharine Pendrel has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Canadian mountain bike championships after breaking her clavicle during a ride.

“At 32, I have had my first broken bone and real racing set back,” wrote Pendrel on her blog. “I guess so many years of smooth flowing paths allows you to accept the fact that occasionally you’ll hit a rough patch.”

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Pendrel will miss out on the chance to defend her title and win a fifth consecutive Canadian championship.

“It would have been the challenging, engaging race that makes me love my sport so much and makes me desire to find the best in myself,” said Pendrel.

Already recovering from the injury, Pendrel now has the goal of getting in shape for the World Cup at Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que., Aug. 10 to 11, and targeting a strong performance at the world championships at the end of the August.

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