World champ Kalentieva captures World Cup opener

The 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season opened on Sunday in Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire, with World Champion Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon) swapping her World Championship jersey for the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup leader's one.

The 6.2-kilometre course won high praise from the riders, who deemed it a true mountain bike course. Spectators came out in droves, to cheer on all riders.

Kalentieva won the women's 36km, five-lap race in 1:54:57, beating American Willow Koerber (Subaru-Gary Fisher) by 11 seconds. Czech Katarina Nash (Luna) took third. Kalentieva and Koerber quickly distanced themselves from the remainder of the field, as many of the top favourites struggled on the first lap, falling well back.

"We were able to work together very good," said Kalentieva. "Willow was better on the climbs, and I was better in the technical parts, and we worked together to open a bigger gap. On the final lap, I was able to get in front for the longer climb, and then opened a small gap, and that was just enough to keep to the finish."

For Koerber, it was the top World Cup result of her career, and she was happy with second. "Irina and I were well matched to work together during the race," she said. "I was better on the climbs, but she would gap me in some of the more technical stuff. On the final climb, I made a bit of a mistake, and Irina was able to just get a little gap, but that was enough."

Canadian stars Catharine Pendrel (Luna) and Marie-Helene Premont (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) both dropped back to the high 30s early in the opening lap, as did Specialized's Lene Byberg. All three steadily worked their way forward, but it was a hard effort through the field on the tight, technical course.

Pendrel moved up to join Luna teammates Nash and Georgia Gould by the halfway point, leading the chase to the front duo, and pulling to within 15 seconds before running out of steam. The three Luna riders, joined by top under 23 rider Julie Bresset (BH-Suntour), rode steadily within a minute of the two leaders for the rest of the race, but could not close the gap.

Pendrel faltered in the final lap, enabling Bresset to get by her for the fifth and final podium spot.

"I don't really know what happened at the start," said Pendrel. "I had good position on the start line, but in the first lap lost a lot of places, and then it was difficult to pass and work my way back up. Then, on the last lap, I crashed and lost some time. It was a bit disappointing, but I know my form is good, and I hope to do better in the next round."

Full Results

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Elite women
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team1:54:57
2Willow Koerber (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher0:00:11
3Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team0:00:28
4Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team0:00:29
5Julie Bresset* (Fra) BH-Suntour0:00:53
6Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team0:00:57
7Katrin Leumann (Swi)0:01:25
8Marie-Helene Premont (Can) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain0:01:37
9Heather Irmiger (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher0:01:46
10Lene Byberg (Nor) Specialized Factory Racing0:01:52
11Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) CCC Polkowice0:02:25
12Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Arreghini Sudtirol0:02:46
13Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Central Pro Team0:02:50
14Mary Mcconneloug (USA)0:03:18
15Emily Batty* (Can) Trek World Racing0:03:28
16Esther Süss (Swi)0:03:34
17Sabrina Enaux (Fra) Felt Oetztal X-Bionic Team0:04:42
18Nathalie Schneitter (Swi) Colnago Arreghini Sudtirol0:05:01
19Annie Last* (GBr)0:05:04
20Marielle Saner-Guinchard (Swi) Bikepark.Ch Scott0:05:05
21Anna Szafraniec (Pol) JBG-2 Professional Mtb Team0:05:19
22Annika Langvad (Den)0:05:43
23Anna Villar Argente (Spa)0:05:56
24Alexandra Engen* (Swe)0:06:14
25Rosara Joseph (NZl)0:06:34
26Elisabeth Brandau (Ger)0:07:00
27Tanja Zakelj* (Slo) MBK Orbea0:07:17
28Laura Turpijn (Ned) Team Merida Combee0:07:30
29Fanny Bourdon* (Fra)0:07:45
30Hanna Klein (Ger)0:07:57
31Amanda Sin (Can)0:08:22
32Laura Metzler (Fra) BH-Suntour0:08:45
33Rie Katayama (Jpn)0:09:01
34Janka Stevkova (Svk)0:09:44
35Cécile Ravanel (Fra) Lapierre International0:10:03
36Caroline Mani (Fra) BH-Suntour0:10:06
37Barbara Benko* (Hun)0:10:09
38Ivonne Kraft (Ger)0:10:19
39Virginie Pointet* (Swi) Bikepark.ch Scott0:10:21
40Nicola Leary (NZl)0:10:39
41Sarah Koba (Swi) Giant Swiss Team0:11:02
42Catherine Vipond (Can)0:11:10
43Sandra Santanyes Murillo (Spa) Trek-Lorca Taller Del Tiempo0:11:13
44Monique Pua Sawicki (USA)0:11:19
45Tereza Hurikova (Cze) Trek-Lorca Taller Del Tiempo0:11:29
46Coralie Redelsperger (Fra)Row 45 - Cell 2
47Maaike Polspoel* (Bel)0:12:28
48Adelheid Morath (Ger) Felt Oetztal X-Bionic Team0:12:29
49Eszter Erdelyi (Hun)0:12:30
50Paula Gorycka* (Pol) Ccc Polkowice0:13:25
51Lily Matthews* (GBr)0:13:48
52Helene Marcouyre (Fra) BH-Suntour0:14:05
53Kathrin Stirnemann* (Swi)0:14:15
54Nina Homovec (Slo) MBK Orbea0:14:31
55Anne Terpstra* (Ned) Stappenbelt Specialized MTB Team0:14:50
56Melanie Spath (Ger)0:15:00
57Maria Osl (Aut) Fischer-BMC0:15:22
58Monique Zeldenrust (Ned) Giant Swiss Team0:15:55
59Michelle Hediger* (Swi) Fischer-BMC0:16:17
60Mirre Stallen (Ned)0:16:31
61Rebecca Henderson* (Aus)0:17:02
62Karin Groen (Ned)0:17:35
63Rozanne Slik* (Ned) Team Merida Combee0:17:55
64Magdalena Sadlecka (Pol) CCC Polkowice0:18:01
65Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Nor) Multivan Merida Biking Team0:18:12
66Nicoletta De Jager (Ned)0:18:38
67Nadine Rieder* (Ger)0:19:08
68Lee Craigie (GBr)0:19:23
69Inbar Ronen (Isr)0:19:32
70Katherine O'shea (Aus) Torq Performance Nutrition0:20:03
71Joanna Wall (Aus) Torq Performance Nutrition0:20:32
72Lucie Vesela (Cze) Gt Czech Team0:20:56
73Asa Maria Erlandsson (Swe)-1lap
74Kristien Nelen (Bel) VZW Goeman Scott Cycling TeamRow 73 - Cell 2
75Jessica Roberts* (GBr)Row 74 - Cell 2
76Elliot Caitlin (Irl)Row 75 - Cell 2
77Kiona Harbers (Ned)Row 76 - Cell 2
78Maxine Filby (GBr)Row 77 - Cell 2
79Jennifer Sagesser* (Swi) Thoemus Racing Team-2laps
80Melanie Palframan* (RSA)Row 79 - Cell 2
81Lesley Ingram (GBr)Row 80 - Cell 2
82Morven Brown* (GBr)Row 81 - Cell 2
83Alba Larragoiti (Mex)Row 82 - Cell 2
84Anna Buick* (GBr)-3laps
DNFKate Potter (Aus)Row 84 - Cell 2
DNFGitha Michiels (Bel) Team SaecoRow 85 - Cell 2
DNFBlaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt Oetztal X-Bionic TeamRow 86 - Cell 2
DNFAnja Gradl (Ger) Central Pro TeamRow 87 - Cell 2
DNFAnna Oberparleiter* (Ita) Hard Rock Frw A.S.D.Row 88 - Cell 2
DNFCindy Montambault (Can)Row 89 - Cell 2
DNFJoana Barbosa* (Por)Row 90 - Cell 2
DNSPetra Henzi (Swi) Fischer-BMCRow 91 - Cell 2
DNSCorina Gantenbein (Swi) Fischer-BMCRow 92 - Cell 2
DNSMelanie Alexander (GBr)Row 93 - Cell 2
DNSMaddie Horton (GBr)Row 94 - Cell 2
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Teams
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Luna Pro Team88pts
2Subaru-Gary Fisher57Row 1 - Cell 3
3Topeak Ergon Racing Team40Row 2 - Cell 3
4Colnago Arreghini Sudtirol32Row 3 - Cell 3
5BH-Suntour28Row 4 - Cell 3
6Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain23Row 5 - Cell 3
7Specialized Factory Racing21Row 6 - Cell 3
8CCC Polkowice20Row 7 - Cell 3
9Central Pro Team18Row 8 - Cell 3
10Trek World Racing16Row 9 - Cell 3
11Felt Oetztal X-Bionic Team14Row 10 - Cell 3
12Bikepark.ch Scott11Row 11 - Cell 3
13JBG-2 Professional MTB Team10Row 12 - Cell 3
14MBK Orbea4Row 13 - Cell 3
15Team Merida Combee3Row 14 - Cell 3
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World Cup individual standings after one round
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team250pts
2Willow Koerber (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher200Row 1 - Cell 3
3Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team160Row 2 - Cell 3
4Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team150Row 3 - Cell 3
5Julie Bresset* (Fra) BH-Suntour140Row 4 - Cell 3
6Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team130Row 5 - Cell 3
7Katrin Leumann (Swi)120Row 6 - Cell 3
8Marie-Helene Premont (Can) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain110Row 7 - Cell 3
9Heather Irmiger (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher100Row 8 - Cell 3
10Lene Byberg (Nor) Specialized Factory Racing95Row 9 - Cell 3
11Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) CCC Polkowice90Row 10 - Cell 3
12Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Arreghini Sudtirol85Row 11 - Cell 3
13Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Central Pro Team80Row 12 - Cell 3
14Mary Mcconneloug (USA)78Row 13 - Cell 3
15Emily Batty* (Can) Trek World Racing76Row 14 - Cell 3
16Esther Süss (Swi)74Row 15 - Cell 3
17Sabrina Enaux (Fra) Felt Oetztal X-Bionic Team72Row 16 - Cell 3
18Nathalie Schneitter (Swi) Colnago Arreghini Sudtirol70Row 17 - Cell 3
19Annie Last* (GBr)68Row 18 - Cell 3
20Marielle Saner-Guinchard (Swi) Bikepark.ch Scott66Row 19 - Cell 3
21Anna Szafraniec (Pol) JBG-2 Professional MTB Team64Row 20 - Cell 3
22Annika Langvad (Den)62Row 21 - Cell 3
23Anna Villar Argente (Spa)60Row 22 - Cell 3
24Alexandra Engen* (Swe)58Row 23 - Cell 3
25Rosara Joseph (NZl)56Row 24 - Cell 3
26Elisabeth Brandau (Ger)54Row 25 - Cell 3
27Tanja Zakelj* (Slo) MBK Orbea52Row 26 - Cell 3
28Laura Turpijn (Ned) Team Merida Combee50Row 27 - Cell 3
29Fanny Bourdon* (Fra)48Row 28 - Cell 3
30Hanna Klein (Ger)46Row 29 - Cell 3
31Amanda Sin (Can)44Row 30 - Cell 3
32Laura Metzler (Fra) BH-Suntour42Row 31 - Cell 3
33Rie Katayama (Jpn)40Row 32 - Cell 3
34Janka Stevkova (Svk)38Row 33 - Cell 3
35Cécile Ravanel (Fra) Lapierre International36Row 34 - Cell 3
36Caroline Mani (Fra) BH-Suntour34Row 35 - Cell 3
37Barbara Benko* (Hun)32Row 36 - Cell 3
38Ivonne Kraft (Ger)30Row 37 - Cell 3
39Virginie Pointet* (Swi) Bikepark.ch Scott29Row 38 - Cell 3
40Nicola Leary (NZl)28Row 39 - Cell 3
41Sarah Koba (Swi) Giant Swiss Team27Row 40 - Cell 3
42Catherine Vipond (Can)26Row 41 - Cell 3
43Sandra Santanyes Murillo (Spa) Trek-Lorca Taller Del Tiempo25Row 42 - Cell 3
44Monique Pua Sawicki (USA)24Row 43 - Cell 3
45Tereza Hurikova (Cze) Trek-Lorca Taller Del Tiempo23Row 44 - Cell 3
46Coralie Redelsperger (Fra)22Row 45 - Cell 3
47Maaike Polspoel* (Bel)21Row 46 - Cell 3
48Adelheid Morath (Ger) Felt Oetztal X-Bionic Team20Row 47 - Cell 3
49Eszter Erdelyi (Hun)19Row 48 - Cell 3
50Paula Gorycka* (Pol) CCC Polkowice18Row 49 - Cell 3
51Lily Matthews* (GBr)17Row 50 - Cell 3
52Helene Marcouyre (Fra) BH-Suntour16Row 51 - Cell 3
53Kathrin Stirnemann* (Swi)15Row 52 - Cell 3
54Nina Homovec (Slo) MBK Orbea14Row 53 - Cell 3
55Anne Terpstra* (Ned) Stappenbelt Specialized MTB Team13Row 54 - Cell 3
56Melanie Spath (Ger)12Row 55 - Cell 3
57Maria Osl (Aut) Fischer-BMC11Row 56 - Cell 3
58Monique Zeldenrust (Ned) Giant Swiss Team10Row 57 - Cell 3
59Michelle Hediger* (Swi) Fischer-BMC9Row 58 - Cell 3
60Mirre Stallen (Ned)8Row 59 - Cell 3
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World Cup team standings after one round
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Luna Pro Team88pts
2Subaru-Gary Fisher57Row 1 - Cell 3
3Topeak Ergon Racing Team40Row 2 - Cell 3
4Colnago Arreghini Sudtirol32Row 3 - Cell 3
5BH-Suntour28Row 4 - Cell 3
6Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain23Row 5 - Cell 3
7Specialized Factory Racing21Row 6 - Cell 3
8CCC Polkowice20Row 7 - Cell 3
9Central Pro Team18Row 8 - Cell 3
10Trek World Racing16Row 9 - Cell 3
11Felt Oetztal X-Bionic Team14Row 10 - Cell 3
12Bikepark.ch Scott11Row 11 - Cell 3
13JBG-2 Professional MTB Team10Row 12 - Cell 3
14MBK Orbea4Row 13 - Cell 3
15Team Merida Combee3Row 14 - Cell 3

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