June 16, 2007 (Squamish, BC) “” Not even a West Coast downpour could prevent the more than 800 eager participants of the North Shore Credit Union Test of Metal from starting Saturday’s in the event.

“There was some pretty miserable weather and we still had almost 850 people line up at the start line,” said race director Cliff Miller. “Mountain bikers are special breed.”

The race was won for a second straigh year by Squamish local Neal Kindree who finished in a personal best time of 2:40:04 to take top spot in the men’s pro-elite category. In the women’s pro-elite category, Catherine Pendrel eked out a victory over last year’s champ, Squamish local Meghan Kindree, with a time of 3:19:08.

“Given the very very difficult conditions, the times were incredibly fast,” said Miller.

Kindree, who held the Canada Cup points lead at the start of the day, risked that overall lead to race in his hometown event.

Kindree battled through the 67 kilometer course against riding partner Ryan Edwards, who finished second, and ex-National Team member Andreas Hestler, who took in third place.

After heavy rains, conditions on the 67km course were very difficult and deteriorated as the race progressed.

“This is a real community bike race with more than 300 volunteers and countless spectators lining the course.” Miller said, “It’s nice for them to see the world class athletes performing, but on a day like this, the real heroes are often the folks finishing in five or six hours.”

Miller added some drama to the finish line by proposing to his long time partner Darlene Allen who accepted.

www.testofmetal.com

Elite Men

1. Neal Kindree (Team Squamish) 02:40:04
2. Ryan Edwards (Tantalus Bike Shop/nealki) 02:45:14
3. Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mtn Bikes/Haywood) 02:49:20
4. Frederic Bussieres (Xprezo) 02:49:43
5. Kevin Calhoun (Rocky Mountain – Differen) 02:50:46
6. Craig Richey (Aviawest – Rocky Mountain) 02:53:44
7. Russell Stevenson (Benaroya Research In.) 02:55:52
8. Thomas Skinner 02:58:48
9. Matthew Hewitt (OBB) 02:59:04
10. Matt Ryan 02:59:31
11. Peter Reid 03:00:19
12. Dwayne Kress (SORCA) 03:01:51
13. Cory Wallace (Bicisport) 03:03:58
14. Matt Cottrell (AviaWest Rocky Mtn Bikes) 03:05:09
15. Dave Burch (Team Whistler) 03:12:13
16. Justin Mark (Arrowsmith) 03:13:59
17. Jeff Riemer (Arrowsmith) 03:17:29
18. Pat Doyle (Deadgoat Racing) 03:17:33
19. Tim McDermott (Rocky Mtn – Diff Bike) 03:20:03
20. Dustin Gordon (Team Whistler) 03:20:58
21. Matt Law (SORCE / Peninsula Cycles) 03:24:54
22. Carsten Ivany 03:25:52
23. Aaron Weiss (full boar) 03:26:54
24. Albert Nomura 03:29:42
25. Dion Clark 03:51:22
26. Jasper Steinhausen (CVC) 03:52:51
27. Menno Jongsma (IRC) 03:52:54
28. Peter Wellsman 04:04:49
29. Trevor Porter 04:19:24
30. Marcel Besemer (MBC) 05:03:25

Elite Women

1. Catherine Pendrel (Norco Performance Bikes) 3:19:08
2. Meghan Kindree (Team Squamish) 3:22:31
3. Joanna Harrington (Fineline) 3:33:49
4. Lesley Clements (Marin Bikes) 3:35:05
5. Linda Robichaud 3:46:06
6. Heather Lamson (Team Whistler) 3:46:08
7. Margie Smith 3:47:24
8. Melanie Lewis (TiCycles/Avanti Racing) 3:48:16
9. Cynthia Young (Obsession Bikes) 3:49:25
10. Jennifer Keefer (North Shore Athletics/Diz) 3:49:41
11. Melanie Vaughan (Steed Cycles) 3:51:16
12. Jennifer Schulz (Total Restoration) 3:52:39
13. Jennifer Tabbernor (Team Whistler) 3:56:35
14. Kathy McKay (Steed Cycles) 3:58:06
15. Charlotte Klein (corsa cycles) 4:09:09
16. Madelaine Bate (Terrascape Racing) 4:14:11
17. KJ Sadler (Steed Cycles) 4:36:30