August 27, 2018 (La Bresse, France) – Emily Batty (Trek Factory Racing XC) claimed her 5th consecutive World Cup podium finishing 2nd in the exciting Elite Women’s XCO race at the season finale in La Bresse, France to land third overall in the overall standings.
Fellow Canucks Haley Smith (Norco Factory) in 13th and Catharine Pendrel (Clif Pro) in 15th put three Canadians in the top-15 for a strong finish to the World Cup season. Swiss riders, Jolanda Neff (Kross Racing) and Nino Schurter (Scott-SRAM) won the final round and the overall titles.
“This has been an amazing season altogether,” said Batty. “To finish strong and fight for first was an emotional rollercoaster today. I left it all out there and it was an exciting race. This is definitely my most successful season so far. I’m so excited for two weeks from now when we race world championships.”
The Elite Women’s 24km 6-lap race came down to a dramatic finish with Batty, reigning Canadian champ, in the mix to the end. Neff took an early lead but flatted as Annika Langvad (Den) Specialized took over yet she flatted as well handing the lead over to Batty. France’s Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Canyon Factory) was also with the leaders as Langvad recovered and took back the lead.
But Neff also battled back as the four riders duked it out with Neff prevailing for the win as Batty almost took home her first World Cup victory. Neff won the overall as well with Langvad second and Batty third. Smith ended up 16th with Pendrel 21st and Sandra Walter (Liv Canada) 23rd.
“It was a solid day and I felt good – I was happy with where I ended up. I was hoping to crack the top-15 once so I’m very excited to have done that four times in XCO World Cup races,” said Smith. “This season has been really good. I’m feeling happy and excited for Worlds in just under two weeks. It’s such a special feeling getting to race with the maple leaf on, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Pendrel is also looking forward to the MTB Worlds which she’s won twice. “I had a really strong ride in La Bresse. It was really exciting racing and a big improvement in sensations from my performance in MSA so I am headed in the right direction. I’ll travel to Switzerland for the week leading into the World Champs and then will join the national team in Lenzerheide. After Worlds Haley Smith and I will team up for the 5-day Swiss Epic race,” Pendrel told Pedal.
In the 7-lap Elite Men’s competition Schurter was unstoppable leading almost from wire to wire with Gerhard Kerschbaumer (Ita) Torpado Gabogas and Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Corendon-Circus trying to challenge in vain. Kerschbaumer came close but chain problems set him back and Van der Poel gave up third to Maxime Marotte (Fra) Cannondale Factory with a flat.
Leandre Bouchard (KMC-Ekoi-SR Suntour) was the top Canadian in 47th while Canadian champ, Peter Disera (Norco Factory), finished 70th followed by Raphael gagne (Silverback OMX) in 71st.. In other competition, Canadian Under-23 men’s champion Sean Fincham (Forward Racing – Norco) finished 17th in the 24km Under-23 race.
“I had a good start passing other riders to move up in the traffic and was able to hold on to a mid-40 finish,” said Bouchard. “I think my fitness is coming back and hope to have my best race of the season at worlds.”
It was Schurter’s sixth overall title with Van der Poel second and Marotte third as Bouchard led the Canadian men in 48th overall followed by Disera in 49th with Gagne in 66th.
Results here.
