September 1/09 0:35 am - MTB World Championships: Team Relay UPDATES

Posted by Editoress on 09/1/09
 

It is bright sun, but quite windy and cool.  Temperature is expected to go higher than mid-teens

Almost every team is starting with Elite and U23 men, only US and NZ starting with woman in first two.  The Belgian squad is almost all cyclo-crossers!

Lap 1

The first group is off and it is Florian Vogel leading up the climb for Switzerland, followed by Italy (Marco Aurelio Fontana), Sweden (Emil Lindgren) and France (Alexis Vuillermoz).  The first rider for Canada is Raphael Gagne and he is sitting about mid pack.

Chris Jongewaard is eligible to race until the Hearing decides otherwise and still no word if a hearing will be convened before end of Worlds.  He is racing the Team Relay and is the starting rider for Australia.

Lap 2

As they make their exchanges and head out for the 2nd lap, it is Switzerland, followed by Sweden at 1 sec,  then Italy at 2 sec, Slovakia at 13 sec and France at 15 sec, Czech Republic is 6th, Belgium 7th (Nys was the starting rider), Slovenia 8th, Great Britain 9th, Austalia 10th, Russian Federation 11th.

Canada is 12th at 1 min.  USA is 19th (last) at nearly 4 min

Lap 3

Heading out for the 3rd lap, Italy has taken the lead, followed by France at 32 sec. Canada has  been moved up to  3rd by a strong ride by Geoff Kabush 52 seconds back.  Then it is Swtzerland at 1 min, Sweden 1:17 and Belgium at 1:26.  Then Czech Republic followed by Australia

2/3 of the way through the lap and it is Evan Guthrie riding for Canada having a great ride -  he has passed Italy in 2nd and has now moved into  2nd behind France.

Last Lap

Catharine Pendrel is Canada's anchor and she is chasing France's Cécile Rode Ravanel who has only a 7 sec lead on her.  Italy is 3rd but at over a minute plus and is in danger of being caught by Belgium.

Kabush had trouble on his lap because he could not pass in some of the single track

Pendrel has caught Rode Ravanel  and taken the lead by 8 sec.  Italy was in 3rd at 1 min  back just after the handoff but it is U23 rider Cristian Cominelli who is the anchor and he is reeling in the French rider.. he is now only 30 seconds behind her.  Pendrel is being cautious through the Hammerhead...

Belgium 4th, Germany 5th, Australia 6th

Italian has caught Canada and France.  All 3 are together now

Final

1 Italy

2 Canada

3 France