June 18, 2006 — In preparation for next weekend’s World Cup event at Mont Ste-Anne, Que., some of the world’s top riders hit the third NORBA cross country race of the series this weekend at Mount Snow, Vermont, including Swiss superstar Christoph Sauser (Sui, Specialized) and Liam Killeen (GBR, Specialized). The two World Cup contenders placed first and second respectively in the men’s race, followed by current American high-flyer Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA, Subaru-Gary Fisher) in third.

Max Plaxton (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) was Canada’s top finisher, just sneaking onto the podium with a fifth-place ride. Geoff Kabush (CAN, Maxxis) and Ricky Federau (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.) also powered into the top 10, placing sixth and seventh, respectively.

In the women’s competition, Mary McConneloug (USA, Kenda-Seven) was hungry for a win after recently returning from some tough competition on the World Cup circuit in Europe. She proved to be in super form yesterday, as she took control in the demanding 24.6-kilometre race, which including 305 vertical metres of climbing each lap. Shonny Vanlandingham (USA, Luna Women’s Team) rode into second spot, followed by top Canadian finisher, Alison Sydor (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) in third.

Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.) and Catherine Pendrel (CAN, Norco) also delivered top 10 placings, with seventh and ninth, respectively.

Men

1. Christoph Sauser (Sui, Specialized) 2:09:29
2. Liam Killeen (GBR, Specialized) at 0:03
3. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA, Subaru-Gary Fisher) 2:41
4. Adam Craig (USA, Giant) 3:48
5. Max Plaxton (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 4:25
6. Geoff Kabush (CAN, Maxxis) 4:53
7. Ricky Federau (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.) 5:10
8. Todd Wells (USA, G.T.) 5:55
9. Jeremiah Bishop (USA, Trek-Vw) 9:08
10. Nick Waite (USA, Kelly Benefit Strategies) 9:21

Other Canadians:
17. Kris Sneddon (CAN, Kona-Les Gets) 13:49
18. Derek Zandstra (CAN, Scott-3 Rox Racing) 14:37
26. Raphael Gagne (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 20:30
46. Ben Dawson (CAN, Impala Bicycles) 32:48
DNF. Fredrick Bussieres (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects)
DNF. Kyle Douglas (CAN, 3 Rox Racing)

Women (3 laps, 24.6 km)

1. Mary McConneloug (USA, Kenda-Seven) 1:58:53
2. Shonny Vanlandingham (USA, Luna Women’s Team) 1:53
3. Alison Sydor (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 2:11
4. Willow Koerber (USA, Subaru-Gary Fisher) 2:15
5. Heather Irmiger (USA, Subaru-Gary Fisher) 4:39
6. Dara Marks-Marino (USA, Titus-Kenda) 5:33
7. Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.) 7:10
8. Jimena Florit (ARG, Luna Women’s Team) 7:48
9. Catherine Pendrel (CAN, Norco) 8:05
10. Georgia Gould (USA, Luna Women’s Team) 8:38
—-
11. Karen Dewolfe (CAN, Bear Naked-Cannondale) 9:49
12. Patricia Sinclair (CAN, Scott USA-Kenda) 11:31
14. Jean Ann McKirdy (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 13:11
36. Christy Love (CAN, Sugoi-Giant) 33:31