June 25/05 1:55 am - Mont-Ste-Anne World Cup: Women's XC brief report

Posted by Editoress on 06/25/05
 

MTB World Cup Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC

Reports brought to with the support of Gestev

The thunderous applause from the forest on the last lap of the Women's World Cup XC meant only one thing. Marie-Helene Premont (Rocky Mountain Business Objects) was in the lead. The highly partisan home-town crowd just went nuts. People were streaming out of the woods in droves trying to get a spot along the finish chute.

With her traditional ear-to-ear smile Premont came across the line with arms in the air. She then stopped and lifted her bike above her head. The crush of media was incredible. "It is fantastic. All my friends are here. My mother, my sister, my brother. It is so wonderful."

The key moment in the race was the 4 lap, second climb. Gunn-Rita Dahle (Multivan Merida) started to visibly wilt. "Suddenly with no warning on the second climb I lost all my power. I really considered getting off my bike and walking. I was hoping it would come back, but it didn't."

Sabine Spitz (Specialized) rode a consistent 3rd place, but was never a factor in the race. Afterwards she was extremely disappointed since she had made MSA one of her primary goals for the season.

Other top Canadian results were Kiara Bisaro (Gearsracing.com) in 9th and Trish Sinclair (Scott) in 11th.

A more detailed report will follow after the men's race.