July 14, 2013 (Sudbury, ON) – The inaugural Canada MTB Cup in Sudbury, Ont. crowned it’s first champions on Sunday as Sandra Walter (LivGiant Racing) took the win in the 30km (5-lap) Elite women’s division at the tough and knarly Naughton Trails in Sudbury, Ont.
It was a pleasant surprise for Walter, a native of British Columbia who is the Series leader, as race favourite Emily Batty (Trek Factory Racing) suffered an early flat and could not recover. A similar fate happened to the Elite men’s top contender Geoff Kabush (Scott-3Rox Racing) who’s teammate Derek Zandstra delivered the victory for their team.
Walter knew a strong field was coming to Sudbury with 2013 MTB Nationals just around the corner. “I knew it was going to be a tough race,” said the Canada MTB Cup series leader with a winning time of 1:36:21.
The BC rider, along with roughly 600 athletes, battled through steamy hot conditions in Greater Sudbury. Mikaela Kofman (Scott 3Rox Racing) put up a strong time of 1:37:54, finishing second, while Andréanne Pichette (Opus) placed third in 1:38:21.
Batty just off her first World Cup podium this season in Italy was the one to beat coming into Sunday’s race, but her mechanical during the first lap allowed Walter, Kofman and Pichette grab a hold of the race, and never look back.
“I was kind of riding a bit scared knowing Batty could come back,” shared Walter. “But I had the confidence in myself that I could finish strong.”
Kofman knew the course which helped her “The course is fast and somewhat rocky but I raced here last year in an O-Cup and won so I knew what to expect. After Batty flatted early Walter took off and gapped the field. It’s a tough course and not easy to close down a gap. I was in 5th after the start and attacked on the first climb, then fought to hold my spot in second.”
With the Canadian MTB Championships coming up next week, Walter added she hopes her strong result on Sunday will lead to more success in upcoming events.
With Kabush in trouble in the Elite men’s 35.75km (6-lap) race, his teammate Zandstra carried the confidence he gained from a recent second place finish at the U.S. Pro XCT race in Windham two weeks ago, to the Naughton Trails, placing first at the Canada MTB Cup on Sunday with a time of 1:36:17.
Another Scott-3Rox Racing rider, Cameron Jette, who led for most of the race came 15 seconds behind. Landing third on the podium was Antoine Caron (QC) Équipe du Québec/Specialized Racing Canada. Jérémy Martin (QC) Rocky Mountain Bicycles Factory Team was fourth and Kabush was able to storm back to claim 5th.
“Placing on the podium was in the books as long as there were no mechanical issues,” said Zandstra. “I’ve been training pretty hard for this and it feels good to win.”
The Naughton Trails offered interesting challenges to the Ontario rider. “We had to be strong on this course,” he added. “From what I’m use to, this course is a good one. There’s not extreme technical stuff on it but it’s enough that it can really split the group up. If you have a tough time with that, you can get beat up on it pretty good. For most people here today, it was a difficult course.”
In the Junior Expert women’s 17.74km, 3-lap race, Marine Lewis of Equipe du Quebec, placed first in 1:00.27, with Rachel Pageau (QC) Équipe du Québec /Devinci placing second with a time of 1:02.15, and Marie-Pierre Nadon (ON) Two Wheel Racing crossing the finish line in 1:02.46 to take third.
Peter Disera (ON) CSAJCC p/b Norco LG led the way in the Junior Expert men’s 23.74km race (4 laps), squeaking by Raphael Auclair of Equipe de Quebec, as Disera ended his race in 1:07:12, while Auclair finishing in a time of 1:07:15. The two battled with each other throughout the majority of the race as Felix Burke (QC) CVM 2 VALS took third.
“I would have to sum up the race in Sudbury as an epic battle. Raphaël Auclair and I dueled for the entire race with the heat, rugged course and dust taking toll on both of us,” Disera told Pedal post-race. “In the final turns I got a little gap and attacked and was able to sprint away for the win.
“Overall it was a fantastic course, great venue, wonderful weather and an awesome day. Special thanks to Johnny and Emma from Angry Johnny’s Cycling Club, Havi from Norco and Louis Garneau for fantastic gels and drink mix.”
Full results HERE.