September 13/09 4:46 am - Champery World Cup: Women's XC UPDATES

Posted by Editoress on 09/13/09
 

Good morning.  Welcome to our coverage of the Champéry World Cup women's XC

This is the same course (with some possible small changes) that will be used for the World Championships in 2 years

It rained last night, but it was clear earlier this morning.  Some clouds have moved in on the mountains around the start but it still looks to remain dry during racing.  Cool, about 12C. 

The rain will make parts of the course quite slippery

Elisabeth Osl woke with sore throat yesterday, which may affect her ride, and this course suits her. Fullana won here in 2007, with Kalentieva 2nd and Prmong 3rd.

75 listed to start and they will do 5 laps plus start loop.  Top riders missing are Willow Koerber, and Heather Irmiger

Start loop

At the end of the start loop it is Eva Lechner (Colnago Cap Arreghini) leading with Katrin Leumann  in 2nd at 14 sec.  Elisabeth Osl (Central Ghost Pro Team), Sabine Spitz (Central Ghost Pro Team), Nathalie Schneitter (Colnago Cap Arreghini).  top Canadian is Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team) sitting 12th at 51 sec back.  Marga Fullana (Massi) 13th, Marie-Helene Premont (Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain Bicycles) 25th, Emily Batty (Trek Store Toronto) 28th,Amanda Sin (3rox Racing) 29th

World Champion Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon Racing Team) is 31st almost 2 min back

Lap 1

Up the climb, Lechner still leading, but Osl is catching her at 2 sec.  Leumann is 3rd at another 35 sec, with Sabine Spitz (Central Ghost Pro Team) and a swiss rider at another 30 sec.

Pendrel is starting to move up and is 9th.  Premont still mid 20's

At the end of the lap : Eva Lechner followed by Osl at 7 sec. Sabine Spitz 3rd at 47 sec. Katrin Leumann  4th, Nathalie Schneitter (Colnago Cap Arreghini) 5th, Anna Szafraniec (JBG-2 Professional Mtb Team) 6th, Aleksandra Dawidowicz (CCC Polkowice) 7th

Pendrel 9th, Premont 16th, Batty 25th

Lap 2

Up the climb, Osl has caught and passed Lechner.   Spitz 3rd, Leuman 4th .  Pendrel with a group of 4 with Dawidowicz, Rode Ravanel

Over the top of the climb and Osl has a good gap on Lechner as they start to descend.

Lap 3

Starting the 3rd lap, Osl with Lechner at 3 sec.  Anna Szafraniec 3rd at 1:02, Nathalie Schneitter 4th 1:26, Pendrel 5th at 1:30, Spitz 6th at 1:31, Leuman 7th at s.t.

Dawidowicz 9th at 1:43,  Byberg 10th at 1:48, Premont 11th at 2:50, Lea Davison (Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain Bicycles) 13th,  Emily Batty 22nd, Mary McConneloug (Kenda Seven Notubes) 23rd

Up the climb  Osl has 12 sec on Lechner. Anna Szafraniec 3rd at 50 sec, Spitz, Byberg and Pendrel together at 1:50.

Premont sitting 11th showing evidence of a crash.  Batty 22nd, Sin 25th

On the descent, Osl is opening the gap on Lechner, now over 20 sec.

Lap 4

Osl, Lechner in 2nd has made up a bit of time at 11 sec. Anna Szafraniec 3rd at 1:07.  There is a group of 4 fighting for 4th and 5th:  Spitz, Byberg, Pendrel and Leuman at 1:50 to 1:56 back

Premont 11th at 3:39, Lea Davison 13th, Batty 20th, McConneloug  21st, Sin 23rd, Walter 33rd, Gould 37th, McKirdy 41st,

It appears both Fullana and Kalentieva have dropped out.  Kalentieva has injured herself in a crash

Up the climb, Osl still leading Lechner with a wider gap

On the descent: Osl well in front.

Lap 5 - Last lap

As they head out for lap 5:  Osl's gap is now 1:03 to Lechner. Szafraniec 3rd at 1:11 and closing on 2nd.  Byberg 4th at 1:49, Spitz 5th, Leuman 6th, Pendrel 7th at 2:40.  Premont 11th, Davidson 13th

As they start the 1st short climb, Szafraniec has caught and passed Lechner.  Byberg has also caught Lechner and will pass her shortly.

UCI prez Pat McQuaid has been spotted wandering the course with 2 chocolate labs, looking very much the "country squire"

Up the climb, Osl still riding strong.  Anna Szafraniec 2nd at 1:20 +, Byberg 3rd and closing on Szafraniec.

Pendrel  now 9th

Finish

Unofficial

1 Elisabeth Osl (Aut)  Central Ghost Pro Team , 1:39:39

2 Anna Szafraniec  (Pol)  JBG-2 Professional Mtb Team , at 0:54

3 Lene Byberg  (Nor)  Specialized Factory Racing , 1:23

4 Eva Lechner  (Ita)  Colnago Cap Arreghini

5 Katrin Leumann   (Sui)

6 Sabine Spitz (Ger) Central Ghost Pro Team

7 Cécile Rode Ravanel  (Fra)  Lapierre International

8 Nathalie Schneitter (Sui)  Colnago Cap Arreghini

9 Aleksandra Dawidowicz *   (Pol)   CCC Polkowice

10 Catharine Pendrel  (Can)  Luna Pro Team

11 Marie-Helene Premont (Can) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain Bicycles

12 Lea Davison  (USA)  Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain Bicycles

Catharine Pendrel's comment after crossing the finish "That was hard!"