July 29, 2008 (Mont Ste-Anne, Que.) – The Canadian crowd was rewarded with a spectacular set of races on Sunday, with hometown favourite Marie-Hélène Prémont (QC) Rocky Mountain winning the women’s race, Catharine Pendrel (BC) Luna Women’s MTB Team taking second in a career best World Cup effort, while Geoff Kabush (BC) Maxxis grabbed the second podium spot in the men’s race, matching his top World Cup performance. Defending Olympic Champion Julien Absalon (Fra) Orbea took the men’s win on Sunday.

Canadians Emily Batty (ON) Trek Store and Raphaël Gagné (QC) Rocky Mountain made podium appearances, placing third and second, respectively, in the U23 women’s and men’s competitions.

Despite some concerns about the length of the races at the manager’s meeting the night before, UCI officials stuck with their original plan of five laps for the women and six laps for the men. However, after lots of rain showers over the week, the course had become slower, and it did turn into a slog as critics had suggested, with both race winners clocking in at over two hours. As the competitions wore on, riders became muddier and many showed evidence of crashes on the slick, technical trails.

Prémont, who maintains the MTB World Cup series lead, took control of the women’s race on her home turf, until Pendrel took over for a while, only to succumb during the long race. As Pendrel faded, Prémont charged, winning by nearly three minutes in her final career race at Mont Ste-Anne. Lene Byberg (Nor) Specialized finished in third spot. Two Canadian flags were raised at the awards ceremony and the crowd cheered wildly after the playing of “O Canada,” during which Pendrel’s eyes teared up, as she celebrated her first World Cup top three. Her ride has catapulted her into third place in the overall standings.

Other notable Canadian rides came from Amanda Sin (ON) Scott-3 Rox Racing in 10th, Wendy Simms (BC) Kona in 13th, Batty in 17th, and Jean Ann McKirdy (BC) Rocky Mountain in 20th.

When defending World Champion Christoph Sauser (Sui) Specialized was unable to start because of an injured knee in training on Saturday, Absalon lost his biggest threat for the win. Several other world-class riders tried to give him a run for his money, but the storming Frenchman rode away from the field and never looked back. Kabush raced smart, pacing well, and was able to get away from the rest of the chasers. He was never able to get within striking distance of Absalon, but he did manage to put a safe distance of over two minutes between himself and third place, Burry Stander (RSA) G.T. Kabush was happy with his ride, feeling it was another step closer to a successful Olympic Games next month. Absalon has the series lead, while Kabush has moved up to fourth.

The World Cup is off to Bromont, Que. this week for round seven of the XC series.