April 11, 2009 (Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) – Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Central Ghost Pro Team has won the 23.5km opening round of the Elite Women’s UCI MTB World Cup XC #1, five laps of the 4.7km course, with former world champ Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team in second and Lene Byberg (Nor) Specialized Factory Racing in third. No Canadians competed as both Catharine Pendrel (Luna MTB Women’s Team) currently ranked #1 and Marie-Hélène Prémont (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) ranked #2 opted out of attending this world cup opener. Current rankings here.

Full results pdf here.

Results (brief)

1. Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Central Ghost Pro Team    1:40:50
2. Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team 2:07
3. Lene Byberg (Nor) Specialized Factory Racing    2:46
4. Margarita Fullana Riera (Esp) Massi 3:58
5. Mary McConneloug (USA) Kenda Seven 4:24
6. Willow Koerber (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher 4:55
7. Katrin Leumann (Sui) 5:11
8. Heather Irmiger (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher 5:35
9. Petra Henzi (Sui) Fischer-BMC 5:56
10. Janka Stevkova (Svk) 6:07
11 Sabine Spitz (Ger) Central Ghost Pro Team 6:18
12. Adelheid Morath (Ger) 6:36
13. Helene Marcouyre (Fra) BH-Suntour 7:01
14. Julie Bresset (Fra) Breiz Mountain 7:20
15. Marielle Saner-Guinchard (Sui) Team Bikepark.Ch 8:15
16. Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) CCC Polkowice 8:34
17. Esther Süss (Sui) 8:40
18. Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt International MTB Team 8:48
19. Magdalena Sadlecka (Pol) CCC Polkowice 9:29
20. Laura Turpijn (Ned) 9:47