06.17.08 - Canada sixth in team relay at world mountain bike championships

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VAL DI SOLE, Italy – Canada gained ground on every lap to finish sixth in the team relay on Tuesday to open the world mountain bike championships under wet and muddy conditions.

France earned the gold medal handily in one hour and 24 minutes and 45 seconds. Switzerland, the defending champions, won a battle for silver over Italy finishing more than two minutes behind the leaders. The Italians were third.

Canada with Raphael Gagné of Quebec City, CathArine Pendrel of Kamloops, B.C., Derek Zandstra of Trenton, Ont., and anchor Evan Guthrie of Kelowna, B.C., were sixth just a minute off a podium finish. In the relay event, each team fields one rider from the elite, under-23 and junior divisions for the men and one elite female rider. Each country determines its order of riders for the race.

There were 20 countries entered.

‘’We were very happy with the result,’’ said Gagné, the lead-off rider for the Canadians who’ll race in the under-23 event on Friday. ‘’Most countries started with their elite riders so it some very tough competition but I felt I put our team in a good position with the 12th fastest first lap.’’

Gagné said he’ll benefit from racing the relay for his individual event.

‘’It was obviously a great opportunity to test the course in race conditions. The downhill sections on this course are very slippery and I know it’ll be important to be cautious in order not to fall or get stuck.’’

Pendrel, who is enjoying a breakthrough season on the World Cup with three top-10 finishes, was also pleased to experience the course in competition with her individual race set for Sunday.

‘’Everyone had a solid ride,’’ said Pendrel, the second rider who brought Canada to 10th spot. ‘’The relay was fun and a different experience. It was a good opportunity and I gained some early confidence.’’

Zandstra, Canada’s men’s elite rider, brought his team up to eighth place to set the table for Guthrie, Canada’s junior rider, for the finish.

Competition continues Wednesday with the women’s under-23 and junior cross country races. The men’s junior cross country is on Thursday, the men’s under-23 on Friday, the downhill events are Saturday and the men’s and women’s elite cross country races June 22.