March 22, 2006 – The next phase in the cycling competition are the MTB cross country races at Lysterfield Park. Racers were on the course today for a final preview and are set to compete for Commonwealth glory tomorrow – the women’s event is at 10:30am tomorrow morning (5:30 pm EST, March 22) and the men start at 2 pm (9:00 pm EST, March 22) – Melbourne is 15 hours ahead of us.

On the men’s side, Canada has two strong favourites – Geoff Kabush and Seamus McGrath. Although Kabush did admit that he was unsure of his form a few days ago, the Victoria, B.C. resident always seems to rise to the occasion. Along with McGrath, the two Canucks have a definite possibility of two medals. Look for their biggest competition to come from Liam Killen (England) or Kiwi Kashi Leuchs.

On the women’s side, Marie-Hélène Prémont and Kiara Bisaro are definitely set to rock the house with the small 12-rider women’s field – either could medal. The only other rider in the field that is known on the World Cup circuit is Robyn Wong from New Zealand.

Both events are held over a 6.5km course and are scheduled to finish at 4.30pm local time.

Women’s Start List

Bib Country – Name Birth Date UCI Rank
1 Canada Flag CAN – PREMONT Marie-Helene 24/10/1977
2 Canada Flag CAN – BISARO Kiara 12/11/1975
3 New Zealand Flag NZL – WONG Robyn 23/11/1970
4 New Zealand Flag NZL – JOSEPH Rosara 21/02/1982
5 New Zealand Flag NZL – FOOTE Sonia 02/08/1978
6 Australia Flag AUS – COLSON Emma 25/10/1968
7 Scotland Flag SCO – MCGAVIGAN Ruth 25/12/1976
8 Cook Islands Flag COK – MOLLER Myra 12/02/1984
10 England Flag ENG – HUNT Amy 04/05/1986
11 Australia Flag AUS – BAXTER Claire 24/01/1982
12 Australia Flag AUS – STARR Dellys 02/10/1976

Men’s Start List

Men’s Cross Country
Bib Country – Name Birth Date UCI Rank
1 England Flag ENG – KILLEEN Liam 12/04/1982
2 New Zealand Flag NZL – LEUCHS Kashi 30/06/1978
3 England Flag ENG – BECKINGSALE Oli 07/06/1976
4 Canada Flag CAN – KABUSH Geoff 14/04/1977
5 Australia Flag AUS – TABERLAY Sid 22/01/1980
6 Scotland Flag SCO – OUCHTERLONY James 09/08/1973
7 Canada Flag CAN – MCGRATH Seamus Patrick 03/05/1976
8 New Zealand Flag NZL – NORTHCOTT Mike 15/02/1981
9 Namibia Flag NAM – HEYMANS Mannie 14/07/1971
10 Australia Flag AUS – JONGEWAARD Chris 18/07/1979
11 England Flag ENG – RICHARDSON Simon 21/06/1983
12 Northern Ireland Flag NIR – FERGUSON Lewis 29/07/1985
13 Scotland Flag SCO – MONTGOMERIE Gareth 25/11/1982
14 Australia Flag AUS – FLEMING Joshua 14/11/1975
15 Wales Flag WAL – ROACH Steven 16/06/1984
16 New Zealand Flag NZL – AVERY Clinton 03/12/1987
17 Namibia Flag NAM – BASSINGTHWAIGHTE Marc 11/10/1983
18 Scotland Flag SCO – WARDELL Robert 15/06/1985
19 Isle Of Man Flag IOM – ROCHE Andrew 22/11/1971
20 Kenya Flag KEN – FROOME Christopher Clive 20/05/1985
21 Mauritius Flag MRI – PASSE Cedric 12/09/1981
22 Republic of South Africa Flag RSA – STANDER Burry Willie 16/09/1987
23 Uganda Flag UGA – MAGEZI David 10/10/1979
24 Kenya Flag KEN – KIHAGI Davidson Kamau 02/03/1973
25 Namibia Flag NAM – VAN WYK Ermin 19/01/1987
26 Kenya Flag KEN – KINJAH David 08/02/1972
27 Uganda Flag UGA – MATOVU KIGONGO David 14/07/1980
28 Guernsey Flag GUE – SMART Robert James 10/01/1978
29 Republic of South Africa Flag RSA – MAKHALE Azwimangadzi Jus. 10/11/1978