April 15, 2012 (Houffalize, Belgium) – On a chilly 1.6 degrees Celsius morning in Houffalize, the Elite women’s race took place as they competed four laps plus a start loop for a total of 24.4km.

Annie Last of Great Britain (Milka Brentjens MTB Racing Team), Friday’s women’s Eliminator winner, took it to the front of the race on the opening start loop with Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) Rabobank and Karen Hanlen (Nzl) close behind as they lead the 84 starters up the tough, steep first climb.

Canada’s Emily Batty (Subaru Trek) had a good start from her #2 call up position while fellow Canuck, Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro), sat comfortably in approximately 10th place up the opening climb.

Batty moved up into 2nd position on the completion of the start loop as Julie Bresset (Fra) BH Suntour-Piesey took charge of the pace and led the lap while Pendrel worked her way to 3rd behind Batty.

Soon Bresset and Pendrel asserted themselves driving the pace as Batty drifted back into 5th.  A game of cat and mouse ensued as Bresset and Pendrel swapped the lead and didn’t look back as the gap to 3rd position steadily grew.

On the 3rd lap of four, Pendrel attacked on a climb but Bresset did not respond and soon the reigning World champ had a 16-second gap which she was determined to grow. There was no stopping the determined Canuck and by the finish line, Pendrel’s lead had developed to 36 seconds over Bresset.

Behind Poland’s Maja Wloszczowska (CCC Polkowice), the winner of World Cup round one in South Africa, suffered from a poor start and didn’t seem to have the same legs in Houffalize, as she battled with U23 rider Pauline Ferrand Prevot (Fra) Rabobank Giant Offroad Team and Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt Oetztal X – Bionic Team.

Prevot showed lots of spunk leading early in race as she challenged Wloszczowska for third while Klemencic was also having a strong race. IN the end the veteran Wloszczowska took third but only by 6 seconds over Ferrand Prevot in 4th and Klemencic in 5th.

Pendrel was pleased with her race today and felt quite at home on the new Houffalize course.  “I felt really good today – everything came together. I love the new course with lots of climbs and descents – it reminded me of the trails back home,” said Pendrel in a post race interview. “The fans and the atmosphere in Houffalize are great – I love racing here.”

Batty was in the second chase group behind with Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team and Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol and dropped to 9th at one point but ralleyed on the last lap moving up to claim 7th position at the finish, gaining valuable World Cup points. Quebec’s Marie-Helene Premont (Rocky Mountain) also made steady gains through the race finishing in 14th position.

Fellow Canuck Amanda Sin (SCOTT – 3Rox) placed 40th on the day, moving up 15 spots from her starting position. “After the start, which involved most of the field running up the first hill (and it was pretty long), I was able to move up throughout the race,” Sin told Pedal.

“It was difficult getting through traffic for the first lap or so but I felt good, was riding well, and enjoyed racing on this course.”  Finishing 40th is an improvement from 55th in South Africa, so Sin is happy with her day at the office.

Mikaela Kofman (SCOTT – 3Rox) also gained valuable World Cup racing experience competing in the Elite field, as a U23-rider and finished in 55th position after a 69th place call up while Catherine Vipond (Canadian National Team) placed 59th overall.

Most of Canadian women who made the trip across the pond are heading to the warmer weather of California for the Sea Otter Classic next weekend.  Both Pendrel and Batty are making a detour with a quick stop in London to preview the latest changes to the Olympic mountain bike course.

Full results and overall standings HERE.