June 17, 2006 (Mont Ste-Anne, Que.) — Canada’s world-class Velirium Mountain Bike Festival continued this weekend with the second UCI World Cup MTB Marathon event of the series. Riders battled it out on a 99-kilometre course that began in historical downtown Quebec City and ended at Mont Ste-Anne. Pia Sundstedt (FIN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) and Alban Lakata (AUT, Specialized) won the women’s and men’s races, respectively.

Finland’s Sundstedt was in second place for the initial 60 kilometres, but steadily moved up to snatch the lead from Sweden’s Anna Enocsson (SWE, Ghost). Enocsson finished second, followed by Esther Süss (SUI, Ghost) in third place. The top Canadian finisher was Marg Fednya (CAN) in sixth place. Sundstedt grabbed the series lead away from Daniela Louis (SUI, Stöckli-Craft).

In the men’s race, Lakata really had to fight for his victory, after flatting twice and having to chase back to the front. The Austrian’s hard work paid off, however, as he crossed the finish line first to take the World Cup victory. Peter Riis Andersen (DEN, Cannondale-Vredestein) won an exciting sprint with Colombia’s Leonardo Paez (COL, L’Arcobaleno Carraro) to take second, while Paez had to settle for third. Lakata takes over the series lead from Paez, who won the first event.

Women (99km)
1. Pia Sundstedt (FIN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 4:42:54
2. Anna Enocsson (SWE, Ghost) 4:47:24
3. Esther Süss (SUI, Ghost) 5:03:47
4. Alexandra Hober (ITA) 5:05:35
5. Elena Giacosmuzzi (ITA) 5:07:50
6. Marg Fednya (CAN) 5:28:39
7. Daniela Louis (SUI, Stöckli-Craft) 5:36:44
8. Josie Beggs (USA) 5:45:45
9. Kyia Melnkovich (USA) 5:50:28
10. Kristy Lanier-Mantz (USA) 6:37:45

Overall after two events:

1. Pia Sundstedt (FIN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 450 points
2. Daniela Louis (SUI, Stöckli-Craft) 370
3. Anna Enocsson (SWE, Ghost) 360
4. Esther Süss (SUI, Ghost) 310
5. Elena Giacosmuzzi (ITA) 280
7. Marg Fednya (CAN) 130

Men (99km)

1. Alban Lakata (AUT, Specialized) 4:10:42
2. Peter Riis Andersen (DEN, Cannondale-Vredestein) 4:13:07
3. Leonardo Paez (COL, L’Arcobaleno Carraro) 4:13:19
4. Mauro Bettin (ITA, Pinatim-Full Dynamix) 4:13:25
5. Thomas Dietsch (FRA, Bianchi-Agos) 4:14:39
6. Karl Platt (GER, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 4:16:37
7. Roland Stauder (ITA) 4:19:07
8. Benoît Simard (CAN, Specialized) 4:22:45
9. Eric Tourville (CAN) 4:27:41
10. Kashi Leuchs (NZL, Cannondale-Vredestein) 4:30:39

11. Troy Misseghers (CAN) 4:32:28
17. Roddi Lega (CAN, Norco) 4:43:46
20. Tim Carleton (CAN) 4:53:43
24. Paul Ignatiuk (CAN) 5:05:25
26. Neil Schiemann (CAN) 5:15:13
27. JC Desforges (CAN) 5:15:43
28. Jean-philippe Lemieux (CAN) 5:17:43
29. Jean-Francois Vennes (CAN) 5:21:32
32. Jean-Sebastien Thibault (CAN) 5:42:13
35. François Amyot (CAN) 6:11:12
37. Guillaume Bouchard (CAN) 7:14:09

Overall after two events

1. Alban Lakata (AUT, Specialized) 450 points
2. Leonardo Paez (COL, L’Arcobaleno Carraro) 410
3. Thomas Dietsch (FRA, Bianchi-Agos) 300
4. Mauro Bettin (ITA, Pinatim-Full Dynamix) 290
5. Roland Stauder (ITA) 250

19. Benoît Simard (CAN, Specialized)
21. Eric Tourville (CAN)
25. Troy Misseghers (CAN) 4:32:28
29. Roddi Lega (CAN, Norco) 4:43:46
32. Tim Carleton (CAN) 4:53:43
35. Paul Ignatiuk (CAN) 5:05:25
39. Neil Schiemann (CAN) 5:15:13
41. JC Desforges (CAN) 5:15:43
43. Jean-Philippe Lemieux (CAN) 5:17:43
45. Jean-Francois Vennes (CAN) 5:21:32
50. Jean-Sebastien Thibault (CAN) 5:42:13
56. François Amyot (CAN) 6:11:12
59. Guillaume Bouchard (CAN)