June 25, 2006 (Mont Ste-Anne, Que.) – Canada’s Marie-Hélène Prémont (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) fought tooth and nail today to defend her World Cup win at Mont-Ste-Anne, Que. from last year. The Chateau-Richer native lives only minutes from MSA, which makes today’s race very significant for her. It was made even more significant by the hoard of cheerers, whom she rewarded with victory.

Prémont made the first move, attacking World Champion and World Cup leader Norway’s Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR, Multivan-Merida) on the first climb of the five-lap, 26-kilometre race. Dahle countered, however, and had the lead at the end of the first lap, with Germany’s Sabine Spitz (GER, Specialized) overtaking Prémont on the second lap.

Over the following laps, Premont clawed her way closer to Dahle, moving up to second place and using her intimate knowledge of the course and, descending skills and every ounce of her energy to reel in the Norwegian. Prémont finally reached her goal on the final lap, catching Dahle in a descent and never looking back until she was securely over the finish line first, nearly one minute ahead of her fierce competitor. Spitz finished third.

Other impressive Canadian rides came from Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.), who finished 10th, Alison Sydor (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) with 14th spot, and Karen DeWolfe (CAN, Bear Naked-Cannondale) in 20th place.

Conditions were excellent with temperatures in the mid-20’s and a dry course.

Women (1 start loop + 5 laps, 26km)

1. Marie-Helene Premont (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 1:41:17
2. Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (NOR, Multivan-Merida) at 0:57
3. Sabine Spitz (GER, Specialized) 1:34
4. Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Topeak-Ergon) 3:57
5. Mary McConneloug (USA, Kenda-Seven) 5:37
6. Ren Chengyuan (CHN) 7:00
7. Ivonne Kraft (GER) 7:42
8. Shonny Vanlandingham (USA, Luna Women’s Team) 8:06
9. Willow Koerber (USA, Subaru-Gary Fisher) 8:11
10. Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.) 8:30

14. Alison Sydor (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 10:32
20. Karen DeWolfe (CAN, Bear Naked-Cannondale) 12:00
22. Wendy Simms (CAN, Velo Bella-Kona) 13:10
24. Catherine Pendrel (CAN, Norco) 13:57
28. Patricia Sinclair (CAN, Scott USA-Kenda) 15:00
36. Mical Dyck (CAN, Terrascape) 18:08
38. Amanda Sin (CAN, 3 Rox Racing) 18:18
43. Julie Sanders (CAN, Equipe Xprezo) 1 lap
46. Jean Ann McKirdy (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) -1 Lap
47. Caroline Villeneuve (CAN) -2 Laps
52. Sophie Fortin (CAN) -2 Laps
55. Catherine Vipond (CAN) -2 Laps
56. Mathilde Hupin-Debeurme (CAN) -2 Laps
57. Anne-Marie Jobin (CAN) -2 Laps
58. Kylie Case (CAN) -2 Laps
59. Elsie Torresan (CAN) -2 Laps
61. Christine Misseghers (CAN) -2 Laps
62. Kate Scallion (CAN) -2 Laps
64. Christy Love (CAN) -2 Laps
73. Isabelle Jacques (CAN) -3 Laps
DNF Kathleen Villeneuve (CAN)
DNF Karine Travailland (CAN)

Women:
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (NOR, Multivan-Merida) 1100
2. Marie-Helene Premont (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 855
3. Sabine Spitz (GER, Specialized) 780
4. Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Topeak-Ergon) 736
5. Nina Göhl (GER, Multivan-Merida) 607
6. Margarita Fullana Riera (ESP, Spiuk Illes Balears) 600
7. Lene Byberg (NOR, Bikin’ Cyprus) 596
8. Mary McConneloug (USA, Kenda-Seven) 482
9. Maja Wloszczowska (POL, Lotto) 435
10. Chengyuan Ren (CHN) 410
Other Canadians:
11. Alison Sydor (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 400
14. Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.) 323
25. Wendy Simms (CAN, Velo Bella-Kona) 246
58. Karen DeWolfe (CAN, Bear Naked-Cannondale) 66
61. Patricia Sinclair (CAN, Scott USA-Kenda) 59
63. Catherine Pendrel (CAN, Norco) 58
71. Mical Dyck (CAN, Terrascape) 34
75. Amanda Sin (CAN, 3 Rox Racing) 30
81. Julie Sanders (CAN, Equipe Xprezo) 25
88. Jean Ann McKirdy (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 22
90. Caroline Villeneuve (CAN) 21
102. Sophie Fortin (CAN) 16
108. Catherine Vipond (CAN) 13
109. Mathilde Hupin-Debeurme (CAN) 12
111. Anne-Marie Jobin (CAN) 11
112. Kylie Case (CAN) 10
115. Elsie Torresan (CAN) 9