July 9/00 4:53 am - Women's Canmore Story

Posted by Editor on 07/9/00
 

It was a mixed day for second place finisher Alison Sydor (Volvo-Cannondale). "Yeah, I'm happy." Pause. "No I'm not, reallly." Sydor considers this course hers, having spent her early years growing up in Calgary, and having taken one of her most emotional victories ever here 2 years ago. Unfortunately for Sydor, Barb Blatter (Scott USA) is untouchable right now, coming off her win in Mont Ste Anne last weekend. Blatter win also bumped her into the overall World Cup lead, ahead of American Alison Dunlap (GT)

Blatter and Sydor led up the first climb, and Sydor actually took the lead as they descended through the infamous Chute section. However, that was her last chance to lead, as Blatter used her fitness to move 30 seconds ahead, and maintained her lead to the finish. "I'm in really good shape now, but I lost a lot of time on the downhill each time. But I felt so good today - it was my day today."

Sydor and her Russian team mate Alla Epifanova rode together for most of the race in the second and third spots, swapping back and forth on the flats. "Alla was really motivated today, since this race will probably determine the (Russian) Olympic qualification."

In fourth spot, it was Canadian Chrissy Redden (Gary Fisher-Saab), coming off a second last weekend and a win the week before in Mount Snow. "They went so hard up the climb at the start. My legs couldn't handle it, so I fell back a bit. I gained a bit on the descent, but Alison Dunlap would catch me by the top of the climb each lap." Redden would finally drop Dunlap and Jimena Florit-Juarez (RLX Polo Sport) to solo in, in fourth place at the end of the day, with Dunlap rounding out the top 5.

Other top Canadian results include Victoria's Trish Sinclair (Marin) in 14th, Marie-Helene Premont (Oryx) 16th, Lesley Tomlinson (RLX Polo Sport) 18th and Amber Chorney (Ford-Devinci) 19th.