May 20/00 3:42 am - Hurley and Greene Win at Camp Fortune

Posted by Editor on 05/20/00
 

Hurley and Greene Take Camp Fortune Races

Bill Hurley and Leslie Greene (GT Canada) were the winners today in the Quebec Cup cross-country races at Camp Fortune (just outside Hull/Ottawa, in the Gatineaus). Many of the top riders were using the race as a tune up for the first cross-country Canada Cup of the season, next week at Hardwood Hills. Both winners were full of praise for today's circuit:

Greene: "It was a great race! Technical, and a lot muddier than last year (at the National Championships), which made the terrain completely different."

Hurley: "It is like mountain biking used to be - super technical, fun to ride. I'm glad it was drying out, but it was still slippery and you had to watch it all the time."

Hurley and defending national champion Eric Tourville (Oryx) quickly dropped the rest of the 50 rider elite field in the first climb of the 5 lap race, opening up a 1:30 lead on the chasers. From that point on, it was a two rider race. The two rode together until the third lap when "Eric started attacking, so I responded. I got a gap in a technical section, and then concentrated on staying ahead." said Hurley.

Tourville explained "when Bill got away, he got past a Sport rider, and that helped open the gap up. But I'm really happy - after coming back from (the World Cup in) Italy, being jetlagged, and tired after Europe, this is a great finish for me. This is great preparation for Hardwood (Canada Cup) next week."

The gap never got much more than 15-20 seconds, and by the end was down to less than 5 seconds. "Almost a sprint" said Hurley, who is now 10 for 10 wins after early season racing in South Carolina.

Greene was "pretty excited with my win, my first of the season." This win was particularly important, since she only put her sponsorship deal together a week or so ago. Her race began in a similar fashion to the men: Greene and second place finisher Lisa Holmgren (Team Hardwood Hills) rode away from the rest of the field, stayed together for 2 of the 4 laps. Greene then used superior technical skills to pull away on the singletrack, putting about 30 seconds between herself and Holmgren each lap. "Lisa and I have been pretty even in the Ontario Cups this year so far, so I'm happy to do so well here."

In the Junior Expert men's race it was British Columbia riders sweeping the top 3 places, with the win going to Chris Sneddon over Jaimie Douglas (Rocky Mountain) and Ben Sigston. "It was really muddy, lots of running" said Sneddon. After starting back in 10th place, Sneddon gradually worked his way through the field, to take the lead on the third lap (of 4). Sneddon had one other comment: "Thanks Dad, for paying for the ticket to get me out here."

Results to follow, and Canada Cup Downhill #1 tomorrow.