May 20, 2011 (Mont Tremblant, QC) – The 2011 season kicks off this weekend in Mont Tremblant, QC, marking the 20th Anniversary of the Canada Cup MTB Series, which provides the highest calibre of domestic racing in Canada and is one of the few ways racers can earn UCI points at home.

Saturday will see the country’s top XC riders go head-to-head after a long off-season, while Sunday is reserved for the first of three Canada Cup DH events of the year.

Cross-country
It has been a damp spring in Quebec, but efforts from organizers and course workers have paid off with a very well-maintained and resilient XC course. Crews were seen clearing the last patch of snow off the course yesterday, which was located on the final climb up the ski hill on the 7km route. Some rocks and roots are still slick and muddy patches dot the trail, but the sun is expected to come out in force on Saturday for race day highs of 23 degrees C.

Many of the country’s fastest women are contesting World Cup #2 in Dalby Forest, England this weekend and will be absent from tomorrow’s action, but last year’s Tremblant race winner, Catherine Vipond (ON) Norco Factory Team is on the start list, as well as 2010 U23 National Championship bronze medalist Rebecca Beaumont (QC) Cyclone d’Alma. Xprezo-Borsao Team riders Jean Ann Berkenpas (BC) and Sandra Walter (BC) are also expected to be in the mix after several podium appearances at Canada Cups last year and performances at the 2010 World Championships. Other riders to look for include Cindy Montambault (QC) CVM Val David, who showed lots of grit during the 2010 season, and dark horse Brandi Heistermann (BC) Team Whistler, who will be contesting her first Canada Cup after a breakout season last year, when she finished sixth at the National Championships. Seventeen elite women will be contesting over four laps of the course, starting at noon EST.

The elite men’s field will be much larger (74 riders total) than the women’s, despite losing a number of top riders to the World Cup, including 2010 race winner Max Plaxton (BC) Sho-Air/Specialized and series champion Andrew Watson (ON) Norco Factory Team. Competition will be fierce regardless, with notable comebacks from riders like Ricky Federau (BC) Nativo-Devinci (former National Champion in Junior, U23, and Elite) and Neal Kindree (BC) Nativo-Devinci (2006 U23 National Champion, finally back on scene after potentially career-ending knee injuries).

Kris Sneddon (BC) Kona, fourth at Tremblant last year, will be joined by endurance specialist team mate Cory Wallace (BC) Kona (top 10 at 2010 Nationals), while Matt Hadley (NB) Xprezo-Borsao (fifth in Tremblant last year, fourth at 2010 Nationals) will try to up his game. U23 National Champ, Jared Stafford (ON) Norco Factory Team, will also be on the start line at noon Saturday for the five-lap race.

The 32-rider junior men’s race will be an exciting battle, as last year’s top contenders have all moved up to the U23 ranks. Tomorrow’s race will set the tone for the rest of the season, bringing attention to up-and-coming young riders who have been racing outside the limelight.

Thirteen junior women will take to the course, including 2010 World Junior DH Champion Lauren Rosser (BC) Team BC, who will be racing the downhill on Sunday too. Emily Fisher (ON) Angry Johnny’s/Cycle Solutions (fifth at 2010 Nationals) will be among the riders to watch.

Downhill
Sunday’s Tremblant downhill is a crowd and rider favourite, known for its gnarly roots and rocks and dramatic finish run to the village. Anne Laplante (QC) Xprezo-Borsao is the heavy favourite in the women’s race after she won in Tremblant last year and took the 2010 Canada Cup overall crown. Other riders to watch for are Miranda Miller (BC) Team BC (second at 2010 Nationals) and Vae Verbeek (QC), who won the Canada Cup final in Bromont last year. Rosser, who is the only junior woman entered, will be sure to give the elite women a run for their money.

The elite men’s field is full of familiar names, including Benoit Rioux (QC) Xprezo-Borsao, who won in Bromont last year and snagged the overall Canada Cup title. Also on scene will be Elite National Champion Andrew Mitchell (BC) Dunbar Cycles, Junior National Champ Remi Gauvin (QC) PerfromX/Devinci, National Championships bronze medalist Dean Tennant (BC) Dunbar Cycles/Devinci and Rob Fraser (ON) Primary SRAM/TREK. The field will include over 70 men.

Headlining the 30-rider Junior Men’s competition is Kyle Sangers (ON) PerformX/Devinci, who placed third at the National Championships in 2010.