Race preview of Canada Cup No. 2 at Baie-Saint-Paul
The second round of the Canada Cup mountain bike series takes place this weekend in Baie-Saint-Paul, Que. Although some of Canada’s top riders are in Europe for World Cup competition, the field in Baie-Saint-Paul will showcase some of Canada’s best riders.
Our Canada Cup Series continues this weekend in Baie St. Paul! Check out http://t.co/bdaenrNBlx for all the deets! pic.twitter.com/mY9hQZZV2j
— Cycling Canada (@CyclingCanada) May 22, 2014
“The course in Baie-Saint-Paul is one of my favourites on the circuit because it reminds me of home,” said 2013 Canada Cup champion Liv/giant rider Sandra Walter, who hails from B.C. “It has lots of gnarly, slippery roots and tight singletrack. I also prefer its short, punchy climbs to the one long climb, one long descent format.”
Each year, the Baie-Saint-Paul course changes, representing a huge investment by the organizers.
“It’s a brand new course from this year. It’s all trails we’ve ridden before, but a new configuration,” said Marc-Antoine Nadon of Scott-3Rox Racing. “Nothing was really slick, but with the roots and rocks you really have to work to keep balanced. It’s the kind of a course where you have to be good all around.
“There’s no one place to win the race, but lots of places where you could lose it.”
With such a varied course, there is no one point where a difference can be made.
“The most important thing is to be able to keep on the gas through all its many transitions,” said Walter. “It forces the rider to constantly be on her toes with short, pace-changing features, so it’s hard to get in a rhythm.”
Walter has picked Nadon’s Scott-3Rox teammate, Amanda Sin, as a racer to watch out for, as well as Norco’s Haley Smith and CVM – 2 Vals’ Cindy Montambault.
Canadian Olympian and native of nearby Chateau Richer, Marie-Hélène Prémont was spotted free riding the course today as well, though there’s no word on if she’ll race.
On the men’s side, Cameron Jette will race with teammate Nadon. Evan Guthrie and Andrew L’Esperance from Norco and Andrew Watson are all expected to factor strongly in the race.
