August 07, 2017 (Mont-Ste-Anne, Que.) – Legendary Mont-Ste-Anne, celebrating its 27th year hosting UCI World Cups, delivered exceptional XCO racing at Round 5 of the series. Canada’s Catharine Pendrel (BC) Clif Pro Team and Emily Batty ON) Trek Factory landed on the Elite Women’s podium while Quinton Disera (ON) Norco Factory took home a career-best 4th in the Under-23 men’s race.
Topping the weekend was Nino Schurter (Sui) Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team making history as he captured his 5th consecutive victory at MSA becoming the first rider to accomplish such a record.
The day began with the 17km U23 Women’s 4-lap race where B.C.’s Emily Unterberger was the top Canadian in 17th. Kate Courtney (USA) Specialized Racing took a decisive win by 2:31 over Sina Frei (Sui) JB Brunex Felt Team with Lucie Urruty (Fra) Scott Creuse Oxygene Gueret in 3rd.
In the 24.5km U23 Men’s race Quinton Disera (Can) Norco Factory Team XC out-sprinted Simon Vitzthum (Sui) for fourth overall as Martins Blums (Lat) ZZK took the victory over Nadir Colledani (Ita) Torpado Gabogas in second with Simon Andreassen (Den) Specialized Racing 3rd.
Peter Disera, the older brother of Quinton, paid the price for his early efforts to stay with Blums gradually falling back to end up 15th on the day. He is now tied with Andreassen for third in the overall standings behind Blums.
The Elite Women’s race was shortened to a start loop plus four full laps vs five as rain was anticipated but never arrived. Pendrel made her way to the front early and looked strong as Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) Canyon Factory went with her and the duo were joined by series leader, Yana Belomoina (Ukr) CST Sandd American Eagle.
Olympic champion, Jenny Rissveds (Swe) Scott-SRAM, making her first World Cup appearance, was caught in a crash in the first 200 metres and never challenged finishing 30th.
At the front of the race the trio jostled for the lead but during the third lap Belomoina and Prevot gapped Pendrel and she held on to third, her best result of the season. Belomoina took the win and locked up the series title as well.
Batty in the chase group behind found herself in a battle with Irina Kalentyeva (Rus) Moebel Maerki on the last lap but dropped her rival to land fourth on the final podium. Pendrel moved up to 11th overall while Batty is now 7th.
“I’ve been feeling stronger since Lenzerheide [Switzerland, Round 4],” said Pendrel, “and today’s the first day it came together for a podium. I felt really strong and I was descending faster than Yana and Pauline, but Yana got a bit of a gap on the switchback climb. I think I had a bit of a mental moment and lost the fight for the front.”
In the 7-lap Elite Men’s race Schurter was challenged by Titouan Carod (Fra) BMC Mountainbike Racing Team and Maxime Marotte (Fra) Cannondale Factory Racing XC with teammate Manuel Fumic (Ger) showing his teeth as well. Top rivals Jaroslav Kulhavy (Cze) Specialized Racing and Julien Absalon (Fra) BMC Mountainbike Racing Team were never a threat.
On the fifth lap Schurter attacked on the most difficult climb and none could respond as he soloed in for a record fifth consecutive World Cup win this season. Stephane Tempier (Fra) Bianchi Countervail claimed 2nd and Gerhard Kerschbaumer (Ita) Torpado Gabogas third with Carod 4th and Marotte 5th on the final podium.
“I’m really happy,” said Schurter at the finish as he cemented the overall title as well, “I love the super technical course here with steep climbs. There was some pressure from Fumic but he blew up and it was great to make history by winning five World Cups in a row. There’s pressure on me for the final round in Italy but I’m still enjoying everything.”
The top Canadian was Raphael Gagne (QC) Cannondale-3Rox, who started strong and was in the top 25 but faded in the second half to ended up 34th. Leandre Bouchard (QC) BH SR Suntour KMC was 40th while Derek Zandstra (ON) Cannondale-3Rox finished 42nd. Overall Bouchard is the top Canuck in 25th with Zandstra 49th.
U23 Women/Men’s results here.
Elite Women’s results here.
Elite Men’s results here.
- U23 Women's podium © Peter Kraiker
- U23 Men's podium © Peter Kraiker
- Schurter © Peter Kraiker
- Martins Blums © Peter Kraiker
- Emily Unterberger © Peter Kraiker
- Catharine Pendrel © Peter Kraiker
- Kate Courtney © Peter Kraiker
- Gagne © Peter Kraiker
- Elite Women's podium © Peter Kraiker
- Elite Men's podium © Peter Kraiker
- (l-r) Peter Disera, Simon Andreassen, Quinton Disera © Peter Kraiker
- Yana Belomoina © Peter Kraiker
- Andrew L'Esperance © Peter Kraiker
- Erin Huck © Peter Kraiker
- Raphael Gagne © Peter Kraiker
- Leandre Bouchard © Peter Kraiker
- Emily Batty © Peter Kraiker
- Julien Absalon © Peter Kraiker
- Derek Zandstra © Peter Kraiker
- Sandra Walter © Peter Kraiker
- Fleury leads Walter © Peter Kraiker
- Women's start © Peter Kraiker
- Haley Smith © Peter Kraiker
- Haley Smith © Peter Kraiker
- Sean Fincham © Peter Kraiker
- Jayne Rossworn © Peter Kraiker
- Maghalie Rochette © Peter Kraiker
- Quinton Disera © Peter Kraiker
- Quinton Disera © Peter Kraiker
- Pendrel leads Batty © Peter Kraiker
- Quinton Disera (l) sprints for 4th vs Simon Vitzthum (Sui) © Peter Kraiker
- Martins Blums © Peter Kraiker
- Peter Disera © Peter Kraiker