Batty and Zandstra take local wins

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The 15th annual Liberty! Bicycles Off-Road Squeezer took place in St. Catharines, Ontario, this past weekend sending riders into the trails and vineyards of Niagara. This year marked the third year with an exclusive "A" wave where cash prizes went 15 places deep attracting a top notch field, starting with CAN$1,000 for both first place male and female riders.

Emily Batty (Trek Store Toronto) fresh off a successful season on the World Cup circuit, took the top women's spot Second and third Place went to Sue Stephens (The Bicycle Shop) and Jenny Brown (Sunflower Squad) respectively

Batty had just returned home after the finale of the World Cup in Schladming, Austria. She made the journey to Niagara and successfully defended her title from last year's race.

"It was so much fun. It's a good season wrap-up. The World Cups are so much fun, but these races have your local friends you grew up with. It's like reuniting with them. It's coming back to your grassroots," said Batty.

Batty took the lead right from the start. She chased the men, pretending to race against them.

In the men's race, Derek Zandstra (3 Rox Racing) won, followed by Stu Alp (Norco Factory Racing) and Adam Morka (Trek Store Toronto).

"I went in this to win," Zandstra said afterward. "I just got back from Europe, and I've been on a whole different level of riding. This race was just short and fun and fast."

Alp, who finished second, said he could see Zandstra most of the time but just couldn't pull him in.

The race was put on by a local shop, Liberty! Bicycles, looking to give back to the community. The shop suffered a blow earlier this summer, but kept on with plans for the race.

"Earlier this summer we lost our shop due to arson in the building next door. We will be back in full swing in due time so this year it was the perfect way to keep things positive and show we are still here. We'd take over the town with this race if we could, giving everyone an amazing time - maybe one day."

The Squeezer is always run on the last day of Niagara's September Grape and Wine Festival in Downtown St. Catharines.

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