courtesy of MSA
June 28, 2002 (Mont-Sainte-Anne,PQ) – Marie-Hélène Prémont, the crowd
favorite, was cheered by her fans when she took 7th place in the third
event of Tissot/UCI Mountain Bike World Cup held at Mont-Sainte-Anne. This
best-ever performance by the 25-year old athlete from Chateau-Richer, QC,
catapulted her from 21st to 11th in the World Cup standings.
Seventh overall in the World Cup standings prior to the event, Annabella
Stropparo (Be One) from Italy burst into tears after crossing the finish
line in first, after having lead the race from the start. She finished the
29.70 km course in 2:01:39, with an average speed of 14.65 km/hr. Barbara
Blatter (SUI) took second with a time of 2:02:11, eighteen seconds before
Alison Dunlap (USA, Luna) who crossed the finish line at 2:02:29 in third.
Jimena Florit (ARG) finished one second later, after being in third until
the very last seconds of the race. The best Canadians, Kiara Bisaro (Gears
Racing) and Alison Sydor (Trek/Volkswagen) finished 9th and 10th
respectively.
In the men’s event held in the afternoon, Filip Meirhaeghe from Belgium won
the gold medal riding the 35.40 km course in 2:01:18 (avg. speed of 17.51
km/hr), more than 2 minutes faster than his closest rival. With the win,
Meirhaeghe moved from 5th to the leaders position in the XC World Cup
overall standings. Christophe Dupouey (Giant) from France came in second at
2:03:32, followed 21 seconds later by Lado Fumic (GER, Team T Mobile). The
best Canadian, Ryder Hesjadal (Subaru/Gary Fisher), finished in 5th at
2:05:34. Roland Green (Trek/Volkswagen), last year’s World Cup champion and
4th in the World Cup standings before the event, finished in 6th place. The
best rider from QuÈbec was Mathieu Toulouse (Gears Racing) of Montreal, who
was very happy with his 18th position as his objective was to finish in the
top 20.
Women’s Cross-Country
1. Annabella Stropparo (ITA) Be One
2. Barb Blatter (SUI) Specialized
3. Alison Dunlap (USA) Luna Chix
4. Jimena Florit (ARG) PoloSport
5. Sabine Spitz (GER) Merida
6. Regina Marunde (GER)
7. Marie-Helene Premont (CAN) ORYX
8. Marie MacConnelough (USA)
9. Kiara Bisaro (CAN) Gears Racing
10. Alison Sydor (CAN) Trek
—————–
28. Claire Townsend (CAN)
30. Karen De Wolfe (CAN)
33. Marie-Helene Cote (CAN)
34. Marisol Bernier (CAN)
36. Nadine Petit (CAN)
38. Julie Sanders (CAN)
Men’s Cross-Country
1. Filip Meirhaeghe (BEL) Specialized
2. Christophe Dupuoey (FRA) Giant
3. Lado Fumic (GER) Team T Mobile
4. Julien Absalon (FRA) Bianchi
5. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Gary Fisher
6. Roland Green (CAN) Trek VW
7. Seamus McGrath (CAN) Haro Lee-Dungarees
8. Roel Paulisson (BEL) Lanabau-RW
9. Kashi Leuchs (NZL) Volvo-Cannondale
10. Bart Brentjens (NED) Giant Global
—————–
18. Mathieu Toulouse (CAN)Gears Racing
38. Ricky Federeau (CAN)Gears Racing
43. Peter Wedge (CAN)Kona
44. Geoff Kabush (CAN)Kona
45. Andreas Hestler (CAN)Rocky Mountain
49. Julian Hine (CAN)Gears Racing
61. Jean-Philippe (CAN)Provost
63. Greg Reain (CAN)Gears Racing
68. Osmond Bakker (CAN)Bianchi
70. Ryan Ingham (CAN)
72. Martin Lafontaine (CAN)
76. Bruno Lafontaine (CAN)