August 26/14 17:10 pm - Catharine Pendrel Pre-Worlds Chat

Posted by Editor on 08/26/14
 

Canadian national champion Catharine Pendrel (Luna) finished fourth in the final round of the World Cup on Sunday, locking in second overall for the World Cup. We spoke with Catharine for a few minutes as we build up to the world championships next weekend in Hafjell, Norway.

Canadian Cyclist: Hey Catharine - congrats on second overall and another podium. You seemed to have a good start and moved up to Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa and Pauline Ferrand Prevot in the chase behind Jolanda Neff, but then looked to really be struggling in the rocks and the descent, getting gapped and having to chase back every lap.

Catharine Pendrel: Yes I was definitely off this day. It was surprising because in training I rode so well, but when you dial up the intensity, down the O2 [oxygen - the race was at over 1000m] and are maybe less relaxed, it can be easy to make costly mistakes.

CC: Second overall despite missing first two rounds. Is this something you would have thought possible earlier in the year after missing the first two rounds with a broken collarbone?

CP: Not really, but I hoped. There was so much inconsistency in the women's field from race to race that anything became possible. To finish on the podium at every World Cup I entered this season feels pretty good!

CC: This is last race before Worlds. Neff and Prevot won't be in Elite because they are both Under-23, but clearly Gunn-Rita is on excellent form - do you see her as the main rival for the world title?

CP: Yes. She is a clear favourite, being the second most consistent rider to Jolanda this year and being Norwegian, but Maja [Wloszczowska] is always a contender at Worlds, Irina [Kalentieva] is confident having won there last year and Emily Batty is having her best season yet. I look forward to riding with these strong women.