July 23/00 1:41 am - Redden Defends Title

Posted by Editor on 07/23/00
 

Chrissy Redden (Gary Fisher-Saab) has successfully defended her national title. Amber Chorney (Ford-Devinci) dropped chase mate Trish Sinclair (Marin) in the final lap to take second.

"It was really muddy, but the trick was to know when to get off and run. I think my 'Cross experience helped (she is the 3 time national champion). I was trying to be a gazelle rather than a plough in the mud."

Redden's expected prime competitor, fellow Olympic squad team mate Lesley Tomlinson (RLX Polo Sport) flatted early in the first lap and dropped out. Instead, it was Marie-Helene Premont (Oryx) and Melanie McQuaid (Team BC) who challenged early, before getting dropped on the main climb. Chorney and Sinclair then moved into the chase lead, riding together for much of the race, but steadily losing time on Redden. Kiara Bisaro (Team BC/Trek) moved up to fourth on the third lap, and would finish in that position, just ahead of Premont.