April 13, 2012 (Houffalize, Belgium) – Houffalize has been a classic stop on the UCI MTB World Cup circuit for 17 years and attracts 10,000+ spectators to the Ardennes forest.  New for 2012 is a completely redesigned course including a new start/finish and multiple climbs and descents over each 4.73km lap.

A larger Canadian contingent will be present in Houffalize, as both riders from the National Team and fellow Canadians racing for trade teams will be present (complete list below).

Racing in the Elite Women’s field are reigning World Champion Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro), Emily Batty (Subaru Trek), Marie-Hélène Prémont (Rocky mountain-Maxxis), Amanda Sin (SCOTT – 3Rox Racing), Catherine Vipond (Canadian National Team) and Mikaela Kofman (SCOTT – 3 Rox Racing).

The Canadian women are ranked #1 in the world, and both Batty and Pendrel are coming off of strong performances in the opening World Cup in South Africa with 2^nd and 3^rd place finishes respectively.

Pendrel has been quite busy since finishing on the podium in 3^rd place at the first World Cup in RSA, as she has been DH skiing, mountain biking with her husband, and attending the Luna Team camp in rainy San Francisco.  After the team camp, “I headed back home for a couple days of good training on perfect dirt to have me feeling fast for Houffalize,” said Pendrel.

It is going to be a challenging race in Belgium with tough competition for the World Champ.  “I think there will be a lot of women who have put their form together since SA. I expect, along with Maja [Wloszczowska] and Emily, you may also see Julie Bresset (Fra), Irina Kalentieva (Rus) and Eva Lechner (Ita) vying for the podium.”

The new Houffalize course is totally different than in previous years and is quite rugged, which Pendrel likes. “It will favour an aggressive descender who doesn’t fear steep climbs. If it’s wet the opening climb will definitely be an on-foot sprint, so if it rains or snows – both potential in the forecast – I hope it’s after the start!” Pendrel will take to the start line on her 2012 Orbea hardtail: “I call it my fancy bike, but it doesn’t mind getting dirty at all.”

Amanda Sin agrees with Pendrel about the new course. “I rode the today (Friday) for the first time and it’s really fun.  There are cool technical features like steep twisty descents and a couple of steep rocky parts,” Sin told Pedal.  “There’s also a climb up the four cross track, which is really neat. It’s very spectator friendly and will really showcase the sport.”

Team SCOTT – 3Rox Racing is in Houffalize in full force and as Team Manager Kyle Douglas says “…the team is very excited for the race and all have high expectations on improving on their performances from the first World Cup.”  Joining the SCOTT – 3Rox support crew for 2012 is long-time pro team manager / mechanic Gary Wolff. “Gary is great guy and an excellent mechanic,” Douglas tells Pedal. “I am enjoying learning from him and I feel that we have been able to work as a strong team together.” Wolff also makes a good beer-drinking partner for Douglas as the beer in Belgium is “outstanding!”

Competing in the Elite Men’s race is Max Plaxton (Team Canada), Geoff Kabush (SCOTT – 3Rox Racing), Cameron Jette (SCOTT – 3Rox Racing) and Derek Zandstra (SCOTT – 3Rox Racing). Kabush is looking for a strong result in Belgium as “…the last several months have actually been super and South Africa was the only week that has been tough. The trip to Belgium is a lot easier to manage and I’ve been doing everything I can to adjust at home.” With his 5^th row starting position, Kabush’s result is heavily dependant on the mayhem in the first five minutes. “I know I can ride in the top ten and based on my start that will be my aim for Houffalize.”

All of the SCOTT-3Rox team members will be on board the SCOTT Scale 29er. “I have been getting really comfortable on my Scale 29 and I think it is going to be a great bike for the Houffalize course with its tough climbing,” said Kabush.

Sin agrees. “I really love my Scott Scale 29er. There was no adjustment time – it just felt awesome from the start.” Clearly Sin has a preference for the wagon wheels, but we wanted to know, moustache or sideburns? “Sideburns in general, but I have seen some pretty good moustaches.”

Kabush, known to be quite the coffee and Belgian beer connoisseur, turns 35 on Saturday, “…so I will likely have one beer to celebrate; probably a Rochefort.”

There will also be Canadian riders competing for the National Team in the junior and U23 categories. Frédérique Trudel will race in the junior women’s race, while Marc-Antoine Nadon and Alexandre Vialle will be on the junior men’s start line.

The World Cup event in Houffalize begins on Saturday, April 14, with the U23 and Junior women’s races, and ends on Sunday  with the junior men’s race followed by the Elite women’s and men’s competitions.

Canadian Contingent – 2012 UCI MTB World Cup – Houffalize, Belgium

Elite Men
– Geoff Kabush (Courtenay, BC/ SCOTT-3Rox Racing)
– Max Plaxton (Victoria, BC/Team Canada)
– Derek Zandstra (Trenton, ON/SCOTT-3Rox Racing)
– Cameron Jette (Toronto, ON/SCOTT – 3Rox Racing)

Elite Women
– Emily Batty (Brooklin, ON/Team Subaru-Trek)
– Catharine Pendrel (Kamloops, BC/Team Luna Pro)
– Marie Hélène Prémont (Château-Richer, QC/Rocky Mountain-Maxxis)
– Amanda Sin (Collingwood, ON/Collingwood, ON)
– Catherine Vipond (Oshawa, ON/ Team Canada)
– Mikaela Kofman (Montreal, QC/ SCOTT – 3Rox Racing)

Junior Women
– Frédérique Trudel (Breakeyville, QC/ Team Canada)

Junior Men
– Marc Antoine Nadon (Timmins, ON/ Team Canada)
– Alexandre Vialle (Prévost, QC/Team Canada)