Kabush continues winning streak in Mt. Snow

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Canadian Champion Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) used familiar tactics from his playbook to take a convincing win at the Mount Snow Pro XCT. Kabush has been on a roll of late. Last month he earned his fifth successive Canadian national championship and won the Bromont World Cup race last weekend. Sid Taberlay (Sho-Air/Specialized) gave Kabush very stiff competition to finish second. Todd Wells, who rode with the leaders until the last climb, finished third. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Gary Fisher/Subaru) was well off the pace in fourth and Sam Schultz (Gary Fisher/Subaru) finished fifth.

Conditions at Mount Snow were the best in years. The sun was shining all day, providing a temperature of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23 Celsius) and the occasional mud on the course was not significant enough to give the "mudders" any advantage. This year’s course did not go quite as high up the mountain as in years past, yet climbing turned out to be the deciding factor in the race.

Within the first lap a select group consisting of Kabush, Taberlay, Wells, Schultz, and Horgan-Kobelski formed with Kabush pushing the pace early. At the beginning of the second lap, young Schultz could be seen pulling these other elite riders, Olympians all, up the mountain.

It was evident early in the race that series leader Max Plaxton (ShoAir/Specialzed was having trouble staying with the leaders. He dropped to seventh place, riding behind strong teammate, Sam Jurekovic. As the race wore on Jurekovic put distance between himself and Plaxton.

On lap three, the Gary Fisher riders were dropped from the lead group. From that point on Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski would ride fourth, while a slightly fading Schultz seemed to be paying for those early efforts. He would hang on for a podium spot, however, making it a good all-around outing for the Gary Fisher Team.

Wells and Kabush appeared to be working together at times, before the Canadian made his move. "I was working with Todd to try to get off the front. Sid was just kind of sitting on our wheels," said Kabush afterwards. "Then, on one really decisive climb, a gap opened up.

"I was just feeling out the other guys and figuring out the course where I could make some time…and save something for a decisive move"

"Kabush nailed it on that steep climb," said Wells. "Sid was closed to him and I was behind Sid…Sid got a gap on me and we were all at our limit riding into the finish."

With today’s fourth place finish, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski took over the series lead from Max Plaxton. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski was awarded the leaders jersey at a ceremony after the race.

Some of the Elite riders will race Super D on Sunday morning. All of them are expected to line up for Short Track racing in the afternoon. Stay tuned to Cyclingnews.com for full coverage all weekend.

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