Pendrel rises to victory

Image 1 of 9

Catharine Pendrel (Luna) came out from behind the shadow of Marie-Helene Premont (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) to claim a convincing victory in the elite women’s race. Amanda Sin (3 Rox Racing) took third place, more than five minutes behind Pendrel.

After Junior and Cadet aged riders rode in the morning, it was the turn of the Elite and U23 women. Emily Batty (Toronto Trek Store) was the clear Under 23 favourite and she did not disappoint, easily repeating as champion and catching all but the first three Elite women, despite starting a minute behind them.

The elite women's race was an interesting one: a showdown between the six time defending champion Premont and Pendrel, who has been, until now, a regular second place finisher. This year look to be possibly different - Pendrel was coming off a strong victory in the BC Bike Race, is the number one ranked rider in the world, and has been a consistent top finisher in the World Cup this season.

Premont, on the other hand, has not raced since her second place finish in the Madrid World Cup at the end of May, as she builds for her hometown Mont Ste Anne World Cup race in a couple of weeks.

Shortly after the women started the four lap race, rain began to fall, making the dirt and the rooted sections more slippery. The course is one that suits Pendrel, and she took to the front immediately after the start loop.

"I was trying to get a gap on Marie-Helene, and initially she kept coming back to me, but when we got into the singletrack climbing I was able to open it up a bit," said Pendrel.

Pendrel was nearly 40 seconds ahead by the end of the first lap and pulling away, eventually winning by nearly three minutes over Premont. She placed the victory up next to her breakthrough ride at the 2007 World Cup.

"Winning a World Cup is pretty big," agreed Pendrel, "but this is way up there, to win my first national title and to be able to wear the jersey for the Canadian World Cups in a couple of weeks."

Premont was gracious in defeat, and philosophical. "The national title was not as big a priority for me this year, and I just have come off a big three week training session as I get ready for Mont Ste Anne,” she said. “I knew this morning that my legs were heavy, and that it would be very hard to defend the title. But I'm very happy for Catharine, she rode a very strong race and she deserves to be the champion."

Results