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MTB World Cup XC #3 & 4X #2 - CDM - CDM

Houffalize, Belgium, May 2-3, 2009

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Race 5 - May 3: Elite women cross country

Fullana claims first World Cup win of '09

By Rob Jones in Houffalize

Spain's Margarita Fullana Riera (Massi)
Photo ©: Rob Jones
(Click for larger image)

Over 20,000 spectators packed the hillsides at Houffalize, and watched Marga Fullana (Massi) take a record fifth victory in the women's race. The Spanish rider took the women's World Cup standings lead as a result of the victory.

"It is a very hard race here at Houffalize, and very special to win," said Fullana. "The crowds are so big here and the fans are very special, so it pushes you to go harder."

The women's race, at a short three and a half laps, was perfect for Fullana. The UCI World Champion excels at very fast starts and long climbs, and Houffalize has both. By the end of the start loop, Fullana had a small gap on Marie-Helene Premont (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain), with a chase group forming behind, led by defending race winner Ren Chengyuan (China). Fullana opened a gap on Premont in the first full lap, when the Canadian champion had to run a section that Fullana was able to ride.

"I was with Fullana in the beginning," said Premont. "But there was a change to the course that I didn't know about, so I got off my bike to run a section while she kept riding, and that is when she got away. Ren and Catharine [Pendrel (Luna)] came up to us, but on the second lap when Ren went hard, it was too fast a pace for me.

"I am still building my fitness, so I'm really pleased with this result at this time of the season," she added.

Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team) hits the climb
Photo ©: Rob Jones
(Click for larger image)
Ren and Pendrel took up the chase, with Premont dropping back slightly to Eva Lechner (Colnago Cap Arreghini) and former World Cup leader Elisabeth Osl (Central Ghost Team). By the start of lap two Ren and Pendrel had bridged up to Fullana, but Ren quickly fell back when the Spaniard increased the pace.

For the remainder of the race it was down to Fullana and Pendrel. Ren was firmly in third, while Lechner, Osl and Premont battled for the last two podium spots.

Fullana sealed her victory on the main paved climb of the last lap, when she opened a 10-second gap that Pendrel could not close, eventually rolling in 14 seconds ahead of the Canadian rider. Ren came in 46 seconds later, shaking her head in disappointment, with Lechner and Osl taking the final two podium spots.

Emily Batty celebrates her Under 23 win
Photo ©: Rob Jones
(Click for larger image)
"I had a strong start, one of my best," said Pendrel. "Along with Ren we were able to join Fullana in the lead, but when she attacked on the last lap I just didn't have enough to stay with her. But this is an awesome result for me; the Houffalize race is one of the true classics of the sport, so to finish second here is a real accomplishment."

Canada's Emily Batty took her second consecutive Under 23 victory, finishing 13th overall, and moved to within six points of leader Julie Bresset (Breiz Mountain). Batty, attending her first edition of the Houffalize race, took awhile to get going, probably denying her a second top 10 result in the shorter than usual race.

"I was actually expecting the course to be harder than it was, based on all I had heard about Houffalize," said Batty. "I had a pretty good start, but I was behind Julie [Bresset], so I was trying to chase up to her initially. After I caught her, I just tried to put as much time as I could between us, and finish as high [in the standings] as I could."

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com

Results

1 Margarita Fullana Riera (Spa) Massi                                     1.25.01
2 Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team                                      0.14
3 Chengyuan Ren (Chn)                                                        0.46
4 Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Cap Arreghini                                    1.58
5 Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Central Ghost Pro Team                                 2.17
6 Marie-Helene Premont (Can) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain Bicycles             3.00
7 Sabine Spitz (Ger) Central Ghost Pro Team                                  3.26
8 Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) CCC Polkowice                                      3.39
9 Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team                            3.54
10 Anna Szafraniec (Pol) JBG-2 Professional MTB Team                         3.57
11 Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team                                         4.02
12 Lene Byberg (Nor) Specialized Factory Racing                              4.03
13 Emiliy Batty* (Can)                                                       5.10
14 Petra Henzi (Swi) Fischer-BMC                                             5.14
15 Aleksandra Dawidowicz* (Pol) CCC Polkowice                                5.20
16 Katrin Leumann (Swi)                                                      5.44
17 Julie Bresset* (Fra) Breiz Mountain                                           
18 Alexandra Engen* (Swe)                                                    6.13
19 Rode Ravanel Cécile (Fra) Lapierre International                          6.21
20 Hanna Klein* (Ger)                                                        6.22
21 Lea Davison (USA) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain Bicycles                     6.32
22 Willow Koerber (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher                                   6.36
23 Heather Irmiger (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher                                  6.51
24 Magdalena Sadlecka (Pol) CCC Polkowice                                    7.07
25 Julie Krasniak* (Fra)                                                     7.33
26 Laura Turpijn (Ned)                                                       7.59
27 Rowena Fry (Aus) Discovertasmania.com                                     8.06
28 Mary McConneloug (USA)                                                        
29 Marielle Saner-Guinchard (Swi) Team Bikepark.ch                           8.16
30 Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt International MTB Team                         8.26
31 Sabrina Enaux (Fra) BH-Suntour                                            8.30
32 Janka Stevkova (Svk)                                                      8.35
33 Caroline Mani* (Fra) Team Bikepark.ch                                     8.38
34 Laura Metzler (Fra) BH-Suntour                                            8.46
35 Vivianne Meyer* (Swi) Colnago Cap Arreghini                                    
36 Adelheid Morath (Ger)                                                     9.13
37 Tanja Zakelj* (Slo) MBK Orbea                                             9.47
38 Anja Gradl (Ger) Central Ghost Pro Team                                  10.32
39 Anna Villar Argente (Spa) Massi                                          10.37
40 Ivonne Kraft (Ger)                                                       10.56
41 Kajsa Snihs * (Swe)                                                      10.59
42 Esther Süss (Swi)                                                        11.02
43 Amanda Sin (Can)                                                              
44 Nataliya Krompets* (Ukr)                                                 11.05
45 Mical Dyck (Can)                                                         11.15
46 Sandra Santanyes Murillo (Spa) Cemelorca-Trek-Lorca Taller Del Tiempo    11.29
47 Vera Andreeva* (Rus)                                                     11.35
48 Maria Osl (Aut) Fischer-BMC                                              11.47
49 Oksana Rybakova (Rus)                                                    11.52
50 Helene Marcouyre (Fra) BH-Suntour                                        11.59
51 Fanny Bourdon* (Fra)                                                     12.15
52 Jean Ann McKirdy (Can)                                                   12.43
53 Suzanne Clarke (GBr)                                                          
54 Kate Potter (Aus)                                                        13.04
55 Virginie Pointet* (Swi) Team Bikepark.ch                                 13.26
56 Fiona Macdermid (GBr)                                                    13.40
57 Coralie Redelsperger (Fra)                                               13.43
58 Sarka Chmurova (Cze)                                                     13.58
59 Kathrin Stirnemann* (Swi)                                                14.15
60 Githa Michiels (Bel) Team Saeco                                          14.35
61 Carina Ketonen (Fin)                                                     14.50
62 Gracie Elvin* (Aus) Discovertasmania.com                                 15.19
63 Katherine O'Shea (Aus) Torq Performance Nutrition                        15.31
64 Cristina Mascarreras Sabria (Spa) Conor - Camping La Siesta              15.33
65 Zoe King (Aus)                                                           15.58
66 Tatjana Dold (Ger)                                                       16.37
67 Asa Maria Erlandsson (Swe) Subaru-Gary Fisher                            16.54
68 Kristien Nelen (Bel)                                                     16.55
69 Evelyn Staffler (Ita) Colnago Cap Arreghini                              17.05
70 Sandra Walter (Can)                                                      17.06
71 Fabienne Heinzmann (Swi) Team Bikepark.ch                                17.58
72 Alla Boyko* (Ukr)                                                        18.49
73 Sarah Koba (Swi)                                                         19.29
74 Lorraine Truong* (Swi)                                                   19.52
75 Kiona Harbers (Ned)                                                      20.08
76 Marie-Claude Surprenant* (Can)                                           21.32
77 Lucie Vesela (Cze)                                                            
78 Petra Mermans (Bel)                                                      21.37
79 Nicoletta De Jager (Ned)                                                 21.56
80 Jitka Skarnitzlova* (Cze) Giant Mountain Bike Team                       23.16
81 Jennifer Sägesser* (Swi)                                                 25.08
One lap down
82 Sandra Dolcerocca (Den)                                                       
83 Irina Slobodyan* (Ukr)                                                         
84 Jeanette Gerrie (NZl)                                                         
85 Monika Heuveling (Ned)                                                        
86 Janine Droz* (Swi)                                                             
87 Sarah Holmes* (Aus)                                                            
88 Ingrid Bosscha (Ned)                                                          
89 Elena Ondasova (Svk)                                                          
90 Nancy Bober (Bel)                                                             
91 Elisabeth Mottet* (Bel)                                                        
92 Klara Van Der Vaart (Ned)  
DNF Silke Schmidt* (Ger) 
DNF Stephanie Wiedner* (Aut) DS-Rennsport
DNF Nathalie  Schneitter (Swi) Colnago Cap Arreghini
DNF Camille Pousse* (Fra) 
DNS Arielle  Boek - Van Meurs (Ned) 
DNS Barbara Benko* (Hun) 

* Indicates Under 23

Teams 

1 Luna Pro Team                               55 pts
2 Central Ghost Pro Team                      52
3 CCC Polkowice                               46
4 Massi                                       40
5 Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain Bicycles         36
6 Colnago Cap Arreghini                       30
7 Topeak Ergon Racing Team                    22
8 JBG-2 Professional MTB Team                 21
9 Specialized Factory Racing                  19
10 Fischer-BMC                                17
11 Subaru-Gary Fisher                         17
12 Breiz Mountain                             14
13 Lapierre International                     12
14 Discovertasmania.com                        4
15 Team Bikepark.ch                            2
16 Felt International MTB Team                 1

World Cup Standings after three rounds

Individual

1 Margarita Fullana Riera (Spa) Massi                                           600 pts
2 Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Central Ghost Pro Team                                    530
3 Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team                               450
4 Chengyuan Ren (Chn)                                                           410
5 Lene Byberg (Nor) Specialized Factory Racing                                  405
6 Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team                                         330
7 Sabine Spitz (Ger) Central Ghost Pro Team                                     320
8 Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Cap Arreghini                                       316
9 Willow Koerber (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher                                       282
10 Katrin Leumann (Swi)                                                         258
11 Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) CCC Polkowice                                        254
12 Petra Henzi (Swi) Fischer-BMC                                                254
13 Mary Mcconneloug (USA)                                                       246
14 Heather Irmiger (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher                                     220
15 Julie Bresset* (Fra) Breiz Mountain                                          212
16 Marie-Helene Premont (Can) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain Bicycles               208
17 Laura Turpijn (Ned)                                                          194
18 Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt International MTB Team                            188
19 Janka Stevkova (Svk)                                                         183
20 Cécile Rode Ravanel (Fra) Lapierre International                             178
21 Adelheid Morath (Ger)                                                        177
22 Anna Szafraniec (Pol) JBG-2 Professional MTB Team                            175
23 Emiliy Batty* (Can)                                                          175
24 Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team                                            175
25 Rowena Fry (Aus) Discovertasmania.com                                        174
26 Aleksandra Dawidowicz* (Pol) CCC Polkowice                                   162
27 Magdalena Sadlecka (Pol) CCC Polkowice                                       162
28 Caroline Mani* (Fra) Team Bikepark.ch                                        154
29 Marielle Saner-Guinchard (Swi) Team Bikepark.ch                              149
30 Anna Villar Argente (Spa) Massi                                              135
31 Nathalie Schneitter (Swi) Colnago Cap Arreghini                              132
32 Esther Süss (Swi)                                                            130
33 Helene Marcouyre (Fra) BH-Suntour                                            121
34 Hanna Klein* (Ger)                                                           118
35 Githa Michiels (Bel) Team Saeco                                              116
36 Sabrina Enaux (Fra) BH-Suntour                                               116
37 Lea Davison (USA) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain Bicycles                        102
38 Alexandra Engen* (Swe)                                                        99
39 Anja Gradl (Ger) Central Ghost Pro Team                                       90
40 Julie Krasniak* (Fra)                                                         82
41 Kate Potter (Aus)                                                             77
42 Ivonne Kraft (Ger)                                                            73
43 Laura Metzler (Fra) BH-Suntour                                                65
44 Yolande Speedy (RSA)                                                          64
45 Vera Andreeva* (Rus)                                                          63
46 Tanja Zakelj* (Slo) MBK Orbea                                                 62
47 Amanda Sin (Can)                                                              59
48 Gracie Elvin* (Aus) Discovertasmania.com                                      58
49 Vivianne Meyer* (Swi) Colnago Cap Arreghini                                   54
50 Fiona Macdermid (GBr)                                                         52
51 Katherine O'Shea (Aus) Torq Performance Nutrition                             49
52 Maaike Polspoel* (Bel)                                                        44
53 Nataliya Krompets* (Ukr)                                                      43
54 Barbara Benko* (Hun)                                                          40
55 Kathrin Stirnemann* (Swi)                                                     39
56 Mical Dyck (Can)                                                              39
57 Melanie Spath (Ger)                                                           36
58 Maria Osl (Aut) Fischer-BMC                                                   35
59 Inbar Ronen (Isr)                                                             34
60 Jean Ann Mckirdy (Can)                                                        30
61 Tania Raats (RSA)                                                             29
62 Sara Muhl (RSA)                                                               28
63 Kajsa Snihs* (Swe)                                                            27
64 Shawna Thunder (RSA)                                                          27
65 Janneke Leask* (RSA)                                                          26
66 Fanny Bourdon* (Fra)                                                          26
67 Heletje Van Staden* (Nam)                                                     25
68 Rosara Joseph (NZl)                                                           24
69 Hilana Marais (RSA)                                                           24
70 Sandra Santanyes Murillo (Spa) Cemelorca-Trek-Lorca Taller Del Tiempo         22
71 Carmen Bassingthwaighte (Nam)                                                 22
72 Carla Freysen (RSA)                                                           21
73 Oksana Rybakova (Rus)                                                         19
74 Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (Fra) Team Scott Valloire Galibier                   17
75 Suzanne Clarke (GBr)                                                          15
76 Virginie Pointet* (Swi) Team Bikepark.ch                                      13
77 Silke Schmidt* (Ger)                                                          13
78 Evelyn Staffler (Ita) Colnago Cap Arreghini                                   12
79 Coralie Redelsperger (Fra)                                                    11
80 Sarka Chmurova (Cze)                                                          10
81 Tatjana Dold (Ger)                                                            10

Team

1 Central Ghost Pro Team                                                        171 pts
2 Massi                                                                         114
3 Luna Pro Team                                                                 100
4 CCC Polkowice                                                                  93
5 Subaru-Gary Fisher                                                             89
6 Topeak Ergon Racing Team                                                       87
7 Specialized Factory Racing                                                     83
8 Colnago Cap Arreghini                                                          77
9 Fischer-BMC                                                                    55
10 Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain Bicycles                                           53
11 Breiz Mountain                                                                40
12 JBG-2 Professional MTB Team                                                   39
13 Team Bikepark.ch                                                              31
14 Felt International MTB Team                                                   28
15 Discovertasmania.com                                                          24
16 Lapierre International                                                        23
17 BH-Suntour                                                                    22
18 Team Saeco                                                                    10