September 14, 2013 (Hafjell, Norway) – The Elite Women’s race is underway with 46 riders on the start line and overcast, dry conditions at the new xc venue in Hafjell. In the mix at the final XC race of the season are World Cup leader Tanja Zakelj (Slo) Unior Tools Team, Eva Lechner (Ita) Team Colnago Sudtirol, Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) Giant Pro Xc, newly crowned world champ Julie Bresset (Fra) BH Suntour and for Canada, Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team), a former MTB Worlds champ. Fellow Canuck Mikaela Kofman is here along with Cindy Montambault – Batty is sick. The women will complete 6 laps of the 3.8km course…
Lap 1
Lechner and Neff are off the front
Up the big climb it’s Lechner, Davison, Osl, Neff…
There are now 4 leaders Lechner, Bresset, Kalentieva and Davison
Dahle Flesja, Zakelj, Nash are chasing… Dahle Flesja is racing at home and is a local hero
Pendrel is moving up…
Lap 2
It’s Lechner, Bresset, Kalentieva and Davison thru in 13:47…
Neff is in 5th and is being followed by Dahle Flesja and Zakelj…
Pendrel is now in 7th
Bresset has gapped the three other leaders…
Zakelj is now in 8th with Nash, her biggest threat for the overall series win, is just behind
Bresset is reeled in as the lap comes to an end.
Lap 3
The time is 27:58 it’s Lechner, Bresset, Kalentieva w/Davison at 4s
Dahle Flesja takes over 5th at 36s with Wloszczowska in 6th and Pendrel in 7th at 51s w/Zakelj in 8th at 1:01
Pendrel has passed Wloszczowska to take over 6th
Kalentieva takes over the lead from Lechner and Bresset – she’s attacking and is trying to pull away
Lap 4
Kalentieva comes thru in 42:09 with a 6s lead over Lechner, Bresset and Davison
Then it’s Dahle Flesja in 5th at 50s followed by Pendrel in 6th at 1:17.
Wloszczowska is 7th at 1:32 and then it’s Zakelj in 8th at 1:39 – she can wrap up the series title today.
Nash who won her first WCup this season is 9th at 2:14…
Bresset is challenging and now passes Kalentieva on the climb…
Lechner is there as well as Davison gets dropped
Kalentieva regains the lead as the lap ends.
Wloszczowska crashes on the final descent before the finish
Lap 5
Two to go as Kalentieva is leading at 56:30 followed by Bresset at 2s with Lechner at 4s… Davison is now 27s behind.
In 5th it’s Dahle Flesja at 1:07… Canada’s Pendrel is 6th at 1:53.
At 2:17 it’s Wloszczowska in 7th only 3s ahead of Zakelj in 8th.
Bresset attacks before the feed zone w/no challengers.
Up the climb Bresset flats… Lechner and Kalentieva pass her
Zakelj passes Wloszczowska and takes over 7th.
Lap 6 FINAL
Lechner starts the final lap in 1:10:54 with Kalentieva at 3s and Davison at 59s.
Bresset get’s a wheel change and recovers to take over 4th.
Dahle Flesja is 5th at 1:19 – Pendrel is 6th at 2:35 but Zakelj is challenging in 7th at 2:42.
Kalentieva takes over the lead from Lechner on the climb… she has a big lead.
Bresset passes Davison and is gaining on Lechner in 2nd.
Zakelj passes Pendrel to take over 6th
Bresset tries top pass Lechner
Kalentieva wins… Lechner 2nd Bresset is 3rd.
Results
1. Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team 1:25:34
2. Eva Lechner (Ita) Team Colnago Sudtirol 0:20
3. Julie Bresset (Fra) BH-SR Suntour-KMC 0:22
4. Lea Davison (USA) Specialized 0:54
5. Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa (Nor) Merida 1:17
6. Tanja Zakelj (Slo) Unior Tools Team 2:48
7. Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna 3:23
Full results here.
Final Standings
1. Tanja Zakelj (Slo) Unior Tools Team 1,080
2. Eva Lechner (Ita) Team Colnago Sudtirol 960
3. Katarina Nash (Cze) Luna 955
7. Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna 605
Final standings here.