July 26/03 6:34 am - Green and Redden win NORBA XC

Posted by Editoress on 07/26/03
 

Sandpoint, Idaho
Courtesy USA Cycling

Roland Repeats, Redden Rolls in Idaho
Canadians Take Schweitzer Mountain Cross Country

Sandpoint, Idaho (July 26, 2003) ˆ About 60 miles from the border of Canada, Schweitzer Mountain Resort provided the backdrop for Canadians, Roland Green (Trek-Volkswagen) and Chrissy Redden (Subaru-Gary Fisher) to strut their stuff close to their home turf, each taking cross country wins today at the fourth round of the NORBA National Championship Mountain Bike Series in Sandpoint, Idaho.

In the women's event, Redden immediately jumped from the gun, opening up a significant gap early in the race. From there, it was no looking back as Redden never relinquished her lead despite a hard-charging Jimena Florit (ARG; RLX-Ralph Lauren) and Alison Sydor (CAN; Trek-Volkswagen). Dara Marks (Flagstaff, AZ; Sobe-Cannondale) put in the ride of her career, just off the heels of Redden throughout the first of two laps, Marks claimed the last podium step in the fifth spot. Shonny Vanlandingham (Durango, CO; Luna-Chix) finally found her form after a trying season riddled with injuries on her way to a third place finish.

Redden, who was described by the announcers as "riding her bike like she just stole it", noted the importance of getting up the initial climb in good position. "I didn't plan to go out that fast but I was battling for position to get to the first single track section near the front. I felt good up the climb so I decided to keep going."

Redden also took advantage of the hot and dry conditions today, " These conditions are good for me", she said. "I like the course; it has lot of power climbs which is good for me."

In the men's event, it was World Champion, Green, who repeated his winning performance from last month's NORBA NCMBS event in Mount Snow, Vermont. Early on, however, it appeared as if Ryder Hesjedal (CAN; Subaru Gary Fisher had the legs to take the cake, leading the race in solo fashion for the first lap. Just off Hesjedal's pace was a small chase group with Green, Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, CO; RLX-Ralph Lauren), Adam Craig (Corinth, CA; Giant-Pearl Izumi), Jeremiah Bishop (Harrisonburg, VA; Trek East Coast), and Seamus McGrath (CAN; Haro-Lee Dungarees).

At the end of the second lap, Green had overtaken Hesjedal, and taken command of the race, holding on for the victory. Behind, a late race surge by reigning World Cup champ Filip Meirhaeghe (BEL; Specialized) fell short as he claimed the second spot. Horgan-Kobelski, whose next race is representing the USA in the Pan American Games along with Bishop, took third in convincing fashion.

Green, explained his early race strategy, "Seamus and Ryder set a really fast pace and I wasn't sure of myself at that point. We were at altitude and it was really dusty so I decided to take it easy for the first lap."

The action continues this afternoon with the Mountain Cross finals and then on Sunday with the short track and downhill events.