May 19/07 11:20 am - Bromont Canada Cup Preview

Posted by Editoress on 05/19/07
 

Bromont Invitational Canada Cup #2
Photos

We are less than one hour away from the start of the cross-country for the second round of the Canada Cup series, here in Bromont, Quebec. It is a cool day, with high cloud. The air is damp, but we expect it to warm up by the start of the Elite races at Noon (EDT).

The Elite/Espoir men are scheduled to do 6 laps and the Eilte women (and Junior men) 5. There is no start loop. As usual, the riders head out of the parking lot area and around the ski chalet before heading up a gravel road climb - which should thin things out. A short descent and then the second main climb which takes them into the single track and forest. They stay in the woods - and mainly on single track - until coming out to the start-finish area.

There are 83 men registered for the pro elite race, a very respectable field. World number one Geoff Kabush isn't here, but his Maxxis team mate Mat Toulouse is. Toulouse will go up against Max Plaxton (Rocky Mountain-Haywood), who podiumed recently in the U.S. at an NMBS race, as well as Canada Cup #1 winner Neal Kindree (Kona), who is our Espoir national champion. Adding to the mix is American pro Jeremiah Bishop (Trek-VW).

We spoke with Neil Kindree who says he picks Max Plaxton as todays winner. "Max is going so well right now. I am jst getting myself up to speed.. maybe by August..."

Mat Toulouse said the course was quite muddy yesterday, but has dried up quite a bit overnight. We asked about teamate Geoff Kabush, and why he decided to give the event a miss. According to Mat, Geoff got quite sick after Houffalize, and was surprised to do so well at the recent NMBS races. "Geoff is feeling much beter now, but decided to stay home and train then headn strght to Germany for the World Cup".

On the women's side, it is Marie-Helene Premont (Rocky Mountain-Haywood) as the prohibitive favourite. However, both Mical Dyck (Terrascape-Trek) and Catherine pendrel (Norco) have been riding strongly in U.S. races this season.

We will be providing live coverage throughout the race.