September 23/04 11:32 am - Ontario XC Provincial Championships, Emily Batty to Race Senior

Posted by Editoress on 09/23/04
 

Ontario Cup #7, Ontario Championships September 25 ˆ 26, 2004

The final stop on the Bonham & Co. Ontario Cup Mountain Bike Race Series takes place this weekend at the Hardwood Hills Mountain Bike Center. With over 600 competitors from across Ontario expected for Sunday‚s x-country events, it could be anyone‚s race.

The Hardwood course is a classic race course with lots of steep up-and-downs, flowing single track and some fast sections on a 10.2 km circuit.

As a special treat all competitors will receive a complementary BBQ courtesy of our title sponsor Mark Bonham.

Schedule of Events:

Saturday, September 25
Short Track Racing, 11:30 am ˆ 12:30 pm

Sunday, September 26
X-Country Racing, 9:00 am ˆ 3:00 pm
(pros race at 1 pm)


Under 17 cyclist, Emily Batty, competing for Senior Woman's Provincial Championship Mountain Podium Spot!

16-year-old cycling sensation Emily Batty has received a special provision from the Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) to compete as a Senior Elite (Pro) at this weekends' Provincial Mountain Bike Championships.

In the history of the OCA, such a provision has never been granted.

Haling from Brooklin Ontario, Emily will be vying for a podium finish and racing against the province's best women mountain bikers at Hardwood Hills Mountain Bike Resort.

Emily's coach, Steve Neal, has stated "The results Emily has been getting this season are coming from the combination of her amazing natural talent and her excellent ability to race with experience beyond her years."

Typically, the best cyclists in the world mature in their mid 20's and early 30's. If the 16-year-old Ms. Batty stays focussed in the years to come, she should be something extra-special to see in a few years.

The women's Elite Cross Country Mountain bike race starts at 1pm this Sunday September the 26th. Emily will also contend for the Ontario Cup Series award for the senior women.