July 16, 2011 (Canmore, AB) – A beautiful sunny day greeted riders for the start of the 2011 MTB XC Championships that began this morning with the 15.1km/21.9km Junior/U17 women’s and men’s competitions.

Marie-Pierre Nadon (ON) Team Ontario/Hardwood Trek claimed the U17 Women’s 15.1km race (start loop + 2 laps) in a battle with Quebec’s Marine Lewis (Kona Bio-Max) who took second with Emeliah Harvie (AB) Rundle Mountain in third.

In the Junior women’s race it was Frédérique Trudel (QC) Team Quebec taking the title over Ontario’s Haley Smith (Team ON/Angry Johnny’s) with Andréane Lanthier-Nadeau (QC) Rocky in third. One of the favourites, BC’s Lauren Rosser (Team BC) was in the mix early on but suffered a mechanical.

In the 21.9km U17 men’s race (start loop +3 laps) Quebec’s Marc-André Fortier (Sarto Gagné) claimed the win with an early lead on the first lap that he never relinquished. Peter Disera (ON) Team Ontario/Hardwood Trek was second and Thomas Hardy (BC) Cycling BC was 3rd.

Ontario’s Marc-Antoine Nadon from 3 Rox Racing also established himself early on for the victory the Junior men’s race. Taking second was Thomas Neron (QC) CVM Subway followed by Daniel Varga (ON) OGC/Opus in third.

Unofficial

U17 Women
1. Marie-Pierre Nadon (ON) Team Ontario/Hardwood Trek  1:02:09
2. Marine Lewis (Kona Bio-Max) 3:45
3. Emeliah Harvie (AB) Rundle Mountain  7:58

U17 Men
1. Marc-André Fortier (QC) Sarto Gagné 1:07:47
2. Peter Disera (ON) Team Ontario/Hardwood Trek 0:12
3. Thomas Hardy (BC) Cycling BC 5:27

Junior Women

1. Frédérique Trudel (QC) Team Quebec 57:58
2. Haley Smith (ON) Team ON/Angry Johnny’s 1:42
3. Andréane Lanthier-Nadeau (QC) Rocky Mountain 3:40

Junior Men
1. Marc-Antoine Nadon (ON) 3 Rox Racing 1:04:56
2. Thomas Neron (QC) CVM Subway 0:45
3. Daniel Varga (ON) OGC/Opus 1:10