August 15/98 4:17 am - Mountain Bike Nationals Update, Ontario Summer Games

Posted by Editor on 08/15/98
 

Mountain Bike Nationals Update

Greg Flaaten has called in a report from Silverstar, site of the Mountain Bike Nationals. This morning the downhillers who boycotted the Rocky Mountain House Canada Cup race last weekend did their „makeup‰ event (although there is still no guarantee that it will be added to their Canada Cup points standings). However, it may provide a good indication of what to expect this afternoon as the riders compete in the National Championship event.

Greg reports that the course is faster than ever, with Pro-Elite Men‚s winner Frederic Poulin (Balfa) setting a new course record of 3:07.88. The course is very dusty, with lots of loose rock and deep ruts. However, the riders are generally pronouncing it to be a true championship level course.

Here are some preliminary results from this morning‚s event:

Pro-Elite Men

1. Frederic Poulin (QC) Balfa 3:07.88
2. Brant Lyon (BC) 3:11.80
3. Eric Cseff (ON) GT Canada 3:12.96

Pro-Elite Women

1. Lorraine Blancher (BC) OGC/Silverstar 3:46.47
2. Aleisha Cline (BC) Java Cycle/Creative 3:48.78
3. Sylvie Allen (BC) Fanatyk 3:56.70

Junior Expert Men

1. Mathieu Laurin (QC) Sentier Plein Air 3:24.38
2. Vincent Roy (QC) Durand Sport 3:29.29
3. Eric Belanger (QC) Durand Sport 3:37.90


Ontario Summer Games

The XC Mountain Bike portion of the Ontario Summer Games took place this morning at Guelph Lake Conservation Area on the outskirts of the town of Guelph. Turnout was fairly small - 36 males, 2 females. The format of the Games is that the rider must use the same "frame" for all the events: Mountain Bike XC, Road TT, and Road Race. If the rider wants to change tires, gears, etc. for the road events they can. Medals are for the top 3 finishers in each event.

The mountain bike race course was 8 km and they all had to do 3 laps. 2 of the racers chose to use cyclocross bikes hoping to gain an advantage for tomorrow's races. Unfortunately, neither of them was able to complete the race. Charlie Gorman flatted partway through the first lap and wasn't able to fix it and Chris Reid dropped out after the first lap.

The XC was pretty much set from the start of the event - Rod Smit led out the first lap with Michael Hendricken hot on his tail. By the time they came around to start their second lap Michael was in the lead and stayed there for the win. The finish order for the top 5 racers was set by the 2nd lap.

The women's race was poorly attended with only 2 riders. The women started at the back of the men's pack. Amanda Kellett took the lead from the start putting 4.5 minutes on Stephanie Tarlton by the time they came around for the second lap. Amanda finished 14 minutes ahead of Stephanie and she also managed to beat 8 of the men!

Men's Top 5 Results

Michael Hendricken 1:03:02
Rod Smit 1:03:37
Ryan Savoy 1:03:38
Ryan Schonauer 1:04:13
Andrew Watson 1:05:38



Women's Results

Amanda Kellett 1:16:36
Stephanie Tarlton 1:30:59

Natalie Sahl
Mountain Bike Race Chief Official