August 04, 2019 (Val di Sole, ITA) – Canada’s Catharine Pendrel (Clif Pro Team) raced to a season-best 9th as Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) Canyon Factory won a fierce last-lap battle at Round 5 in Val di Sole, Italy, to claim her first World Cup victory since 2015.

Jolanda Neff (Sui) Trek Factory, who won the short track on Friday, caught and passed Prevot on the final 5th lap of the 23.8km race, erasing a 50-second gap. The duo duked it out until a final sprint to the line saw Prevot finally reclaim the top spot on the podium.

In third was 2016 Olympic champion Jenny Rissveds (Swe) who moved up from mid-field to join Neff in the chase but faded on the final lap.

“My start was ok. There was quite a bit of slow traffic and the leaders got a good gap but I was able to work myself into a good position within one lap,” explained Pendrel. “It’s a tough course perhaps with the most climbing and they are steep, but it was pretty fun with more technical riding added this year over other years here.”

Pendrel was happy with her race. “It was my best ride of the year and I am optimistic I can find more by MSA,” she commented adding she hopes to peak at the MTB Worlds.

Fellow Canuck, Haley Smith (Norco Factory), finished 22nd and remains the top-ranked Canadian overall in 10th with Pendrel now 11th. Sandra Walter (Team Canada) finished 28th, Emily Batty (Trek Factory) was 39th, Cindy Montambault placed 43rd, Jenn Jackson (Team Canada) was 54th and Emily Unterberger (Pendrel Racing) finished 62nd.

“I had the fight, but not the legs today,” tweeted Smith. “The human body is a mystery sometimes ???? ! Overall, an okay day. Congrats @cpendrel , lighting it up for a top 10.”

Earlier in the day, reigning national U23 champion, Laurie Arseneault, finished 28th as Ronja Eibl (Ger) Corendon – Circus won the 19.6km race over Evie Richards (Gbr) Trek Factory Racing XC in second with Laura Stigger (Aut) third. Fellow Canadian Juliette Tetreault was 40th.

Elite Women’s results here.
U23 Women’s results here.