May 22, 2004 (Bromont, Que.) – Roddi Lega (United Cycle), winner of the
elite men’s race at the inaugural 2004 Canada Cup cross-country event,
averaged just over 22 minutes for a lap of the twisty course. Conditions
were ideal. The trails were hard-packed and a little tacky from rain on
Thursday, but most of the roots and rocks had dried off and provided
reasonable traction. The weather was also favorable. Overcast skies and
mild temperatures kept racers dry, but not too hot. The course was similar
to last year, but included more sustained climbs, which took their toll on
racers’ legs. Nothing alarmingly technical was thrown in the way of the
riders’ wheels, but there was quite a rough rock garden near the end of the
lap.

Closely chasing Lega, Zacharie Labbé (Independent) placed second only 33
seconds back in the five-lap race. Carter Hovey (Rider’s Cycles/Brodie)
flew into third place 27 seconds behind Labbé.

Karen DeWolfe (Cannondale) won a little more decisively in the elite
women’s race, but Mical Dyck (Terrascape Racing) of Alberta didn’t leave
her much breathing room. Dyck place second, two minutes and 10 seconds
behind DeWolfe. Catherine Pendrel (Oak Bay Bikes) said she felt strong and
was very happy with her third place finish, another two minutes and 10
seconds behind Dyck. The women raced four laps.

In the junior expert men’s race, the top three places were taken by
Quebeckers. Raphael Gagné (La Vie Sportive) won by nearly three minutes.
Georges Eduard Duquette (Sportif Bromont), who is from Bromont and used his
hometown advantage to its fullest, placed second. Alexandre Fortier was
third.

The junior women’s race held no surprises and could easily have been taken
from last year’s results. Emily Batty (Bay Cycle) finished first, followed
by Olivia Gagné (La Vie Sportive) in second and Kylie Case
(Olympia/Volkswagon) in third.

Senior Elite Men

1. Roddi Lega (United Cycle)

2. Zacharie Labbé (Independent)

3. Carter Hovey (Rider’s Cycles/Brodie)

4. Andrew Kyle (Sugoi)

5. Andrew Watson (Gears Racing)

Senior Elite Women

1. Karen DeWolfe (Cannondale)

2. Mical Dyck (Terrascape Racing)

3. Catharine Pendrel (Oak Bay Bikes)

4. Amanda Sin (Schwalbe)

5. Sue Trimble (Gears Racing)

Junior Expert Men

1. Raphael Gagné (La Vie Sportive)

2. Georges Eduard Duquette (Sportif Bromont)

3. Alexandre Fortier

Junior Expert Women

1. Emily Batty (Bay Cycle)

2. Olivia Gagné (La Vie Sportive)

3. Kylie Case (Olympia/Volkswagon)