May 22, 2006 (Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium) – Yesterday’s UCI World Cup MTB cross country event in Belgium – round #3 of the series – came down to survival of the fittest on an extremely muddy course that took no prisoners. Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR, Multivan-Merida) proved her dominance yet again, showing no signs of weakness as she put a gap of over two minutes between herself and second place, Russia’s Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Topeak-Ergon). Marie-Hélène Prémont (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects), who won in Spa-Francorchamps last year, recovered from a weak start to finish third.

The women slogged through 3.5 laps of a 5.4-kilometre course, which contained several sections of un-rideable mud, sometimes so deep that it reached hub height. One of the bad stretches was taken out and the race was rerouted along a paved service road. The weather remained a mixed bag, with riders experiencing wind, cold and rain at times, followed by short periods of sun – classic Belgian weather.

Canada’s Alison Sydor (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects), who is notoriously stronger the tougher the conditions get, delivered a top-10 result, despite problems with a locked out fork that cost her several positions in the initial half-lap. Wendy Simms (CAN, Kona-Velo Bella), a strong cyclocross racer, battled to an impressive 16th. Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.) was 29th, Trish Sinclair (CAN, Scott USA-Kenda) finished 59th, Sandra Walter (CAN, X.O-Felt) was 75th and Martina Feldmann (CAN, X.O-Felt) crossed the line in 79th spot.

Dahle leads the series hands down with 750 points, followed by Sabine Spitz (GER, Specialized) with 490 points. Margarita Fullana Riera (ESP, Spiuk Illes Balears) is in third with 480 points. Top Canadian is Prémont, in fifth place with 405 points.

Results (3.5 laps, 23.5km)

1. Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR, Multivan-Merida) 1:36:51
2. Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Topeak-Ergon) at 2:10
3. Marie-Helene Premont (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 3:11
4. Sabine Spitz (GER, Specialized) 4:27
5. Lene Byberg (NOR, Bikin’Cyprus) 4:46
6. Nina Göhl (GER, Multivan-Merida) 5:03
7. Margarita Fullana Riera (ESP, Spiuk Illes Balears) 7:03
8. Katerina Nash (CZE, Luna Women’s Team) 7:53
9. Alison Sydor (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 8:21
10. Cecile Rode (FRA, Lapierre International) 8:26
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16. Wendy Simms (CAN, Kona-Velo Bella) 9:28
29. Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.) 12:17
59. Trish Sinclair (CAN, Scott USA-Kenda) 19:07
75. Sandra Walter (CAN, X.O-Felt) 26:11
79. Martina Feldmann (CAN, X.O-Felt) 30:40

Overall after 3 events

1. Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR, Multivan-Merida) 750 points
2. Sabine Spitz (GER, Specialized) 490
3. Margarita Fullana Riera (ESP, Spiuk Illes Balears) 480
4. Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Topeak-Ergon) 426
5. Marie-Helene Premont (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 405
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11. Alison Sydor (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 242
23. Kiara Bisaro (CAN, Team R.A.C.E.) 152
37. Wendy Simms (CAN, Kona-Velo Bella) 110
83. Trish Sinclair (CAN, Scott USA-Kenda) 9