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Batty 3rd, Pendrel 4th @ US CUP Pro Series XCT #2 Fontana City National Women’s Report, Results, Photos – UPDATED

by pedalmag.com

March 21, 2015 (Fontana City, California) – Emily Batty (Can) Trek Factory Racing Team landed her second podium of the season taking third at US CUP Pro Series XCT #2 in Fontana City, California as Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team took the win. Batty was in a 3-up sprint to the line and was edged out by Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team for the silver with fellow Canuck Catherine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team) in 4th. Claiming 8th was Sandra Walter (Can) Liv Cycling Canada.

Women's podium  ©  Ridebiker Alliance

US CUP Pro Series XCT Race Report
Technical problems caused in part by cellular interference from the nearby NASCAR race made for blind coverage of the women’s race early on. A fast start lap created a huge gap, which was driven by the Luna Pro Team as Pendrel, Nash and Gould, along with Round 1 winner Batty set the early pace. After the initial leveling off after the first climb, these front leaders left a large gap to Chloe Woodruff (Team Stan’s NoTubes-Niner) and Larissa Connors (Ridebiker Alliance).

An easing on the second lap of five allowed Connors and Woodruff to rejoin the leaders on the day’s main climb, only for Pendrel to put in a vicious attack, forcing Batty to respond.

Batty and Pendrel Leading  ©  Ridebiker Alliance

Seemingly trying to force Batty to chase, the end of the second lap saw Pendrel continuing her attacks on Batty, with teammate Gould holding on, with Woodruff and Nash chasing further back. Just like on the first lap, the lead group eased up on the climb, allowing the front group to grow back up to eight.

The next two laps resulted in the further solidifying of the front group. Lap three featured a selection made by Gould on the main descent with Batty and Pendrel.  Nash clawed her way back to the front group at the end of the third lap only to take the lead of the race on the fourth time up the climb.

Nash escapes  ©  Ridebiker Alliance

Another fierce attack by Pendrel was chased down by Batty and you got the sense that the team tactics were taking their toll on the Canadian winner of round one. At the end of the fourth lap, Batty, who was sitting second behind Nash, had some trouble on one of the dusty drops and went down. The crash wasn’t enough to cause any serious damage, but it enabled Nash to get a gap big enough to defend until the finish.

Gould would take the sprint for second ahead of Batty and Pendrel, with Erin Huck (Scott 3 Rox) rounding out the podium just behind in fifth.

“I was unaware of what was going on. I was up front and I got a gap so I assumed there was a problem,” said the day’s winner Nash. “I fully expected Emily to come back but once I got the gap I pinned it all the way until the end. I used my downhill skills and made gravity work for me.”

“It was a total battle out there, trying to sit second wheel,” said Batty. “There were three of them so it would’ve been pretty disappointing if they didn’t get it.”

New Series leaders Cooper (l) and Nash  ©  Ridebiker Alliance

USA Cycling US Cup presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group series standings
After round two of the USA Cycling US Cup presented by Cannondale series, Cooper takes over the lead ahead of Gagne by virtue of the higher points on offer at the HC race, while Nash leads the womens’ series ahead of Batty.

The USA Cycling US Cup presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group series will continue with round 3, a UCI Category HC race, with a return to Bonelli Park in San Dimas , California on Saturday, April 11.

Results

1. Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team 1:27:39
2. Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team 0:08
3. Emily Batty (Can) Trek Factory Racing Team
4. Catherine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team 0:09
5. Erin Huck (USA) Scott-3Rox Racing 0:33
6. Chloe Woodruff (USA) Team Stans Notubes-Niner 1:15
7. Lea Davison (USA) Specialized Racing 1:45
8. Sandra Walter (Can) Liv Cycling Canada 2:12
9. Larissa Connors (USA) Ridebiker Alliance 3:36
10. Lesley Paterson (USA) Scott Bikes 4:55

Full results here.

Overall after 2 rounds
1. Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team 70 pts
2. Emily Batty (Can) Trek Factory Racing Team 64
3. Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team 62
4. Catherine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team 58
5. Chloe Woodruff (USA) Team Stans Notubes-Niner 47

9. Sandra Walter (Can) Liv Cycling Canada 39

Full standings here.





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