July 26, 2003 (Fernie, BC) – Racers battled intense heat today in the cross country races and the mountain air was not exactly fresh, due to a number of forest fires burning in Southern BC and Alberta. Due to the heat and poor air quality, race lap numbers were shortened. The Elite men did 4.5 laps of an 8-kilometre course, the Elite Women and Junior Men did 3.5 laps, and the Junior Women completed 2.5. It was a true test for riders, who faced fierce competition and an even fiercer Mother Nature.

In the Elite Men's race, Mathieu Toulouse (GearsRacing.com) took the victory. However, Roddi Lega (United Cycle) still retains the overall series lead. Alberta's Annie Tywinksi (Pedalhead Racing) set a blistering pace to take the win. Sandra Walter (Marin Canada/Shimano) gets to keep wearing her yellow leader's jersey for the next Canada Cup in Calgary next weekend.

Jamie Lamb (Cyclesmith) took top honours in the Junior Men's race, but Max Plaxton (GearsRacing.com) still has a commanding series lead. In the Junior Women's race, Emily Batty (Bay Cycle/3 Rox) rocked the field again to take her 4th win in a row. She holds the Canada Cup lead with full points.

Results

Senior Elite Men
1. Mathieu Toulouse (GearsRacing.com) 1:59:42.06
2. Jesse Jakomait (Team Hardwood Hills) at 2:23.8
3. Kris Sneddon (Kona/Clarks) 2:46.1
4. Andrew Watson (Bianchi Canada) 3:36.8
5. Mark Webster (Bianchi Canada) 5:12.7
6. Mike Garrigan (Bianchi Canada) 5:58.5
7. Matthew Hadley (Radical Edge) 6:37.3
8. Mark Bomhof (Bianchi Canada) 6:42.4
9. Matt Patterson (GearsRacing.com) 7:37.4
10. Roddi Lega (United Cycle) 8:54.5

Senior Elite Women
1. Annie Tywinski (Pedalhead Racing) 1:59:54.48
2. Nikola Starko (Oryx/Procycle) at 1:15.8
3. Madelaine Bate (Terrascape Racing) 1:31.0
4. Anne-Marie Jobin (SOS Velo Ski) 2:40.0
5. Heather King (GearsRacing.com) 3:00.2
6. Martina Feldman (Independent) 4:31.0
7. Sandra Walter (Marin Canada/Shimano) 5:04.4
8. Mical Dyck (Terrascape Racing) 6:48.3
9. Amanda Sin (Independent) 6:58.5
10. Danelle Kabush (GearsRacing.com) 7:36.8

Junior Expert Men
1. Jamie Lamb (Cyclesmith ) 1:40:32.20
2. Andrew Erb (Jolley's Alternative) at 4:18.6
3. Daniel Sessford (Yukon Cycling) 4:23.9
4. Jean-Francois Vennes (Equipe Record) 4:45.3
5. Chris Thorpe (Bay Cycle/3 Rox) 6:45.9

Junior Expert Women
1. Emily Batty (Bay Cycle/3 Rox) 1:25:02.82
2. Catherine Vipond (GearsRacing.com) 2:05.2
3. Olivia Gagne (Club Cycliste Beauport) 2:37.4
4. Kylie Case (Team Manitoba) 4:24.9
5. Andrea Bunnin (Northern Bush Rastas) 19:09.0