Bianca Wins the Rat Race, Jean Ann 2nd in O-Cup #2

Last weekend Local Ride Elite Women's MTB Team was ripping it up back in Canada. Bianca won the Rat Race BC Cup in Gibson BC, while Jean Ann mixed it up by racing the O-Cup, put on by Chiko Racing in Albion Hills ON.

Jean Ann placed 2nd in a competitive field of riders, behind Emily Batty and just ahead of Catherine Vipond. Meanwhile Bianca wowed herself and the team, with her first pro race win, in her first pro race ever. Check out Bianca's race report below, as well as some photos from the Ontario Cup.

BIANCA'S RACE REPORT

This year I decided to do the Rat Race on the Sunshine Coast, this would be my first race in the pro/elite category. On top of being in a new category, I hadn't pre-ridden the course, this made me nervous! The whole day started off a little bit rough. Arriving at the race site with not to much time to spare I went to sign up (I missed the cut off by half an hour the night before!) only to find out that my license would not allow me to race pro. About to race in the open citizen category, Steve Lund came to the rescue and upgraded my license. So all was good again! With no time to spare, I hopped on the trainer to do my usual pre race warm up. Not even having the time to finish my warm up it was time to head to the start line. Even though there were only about five other women, they were pretty intimidating... they were older, all in full team kits and no doubt more experienced racers! But to my surprise (and relief!) it wasnt long till I was in the lead. I was so excited to be leading my first pro race! My legs were feeling great and I was confident that I could maintain my position till the end. Not far into the last lap, my chain broke! I didn't really know what to do, I'd never had a mechanical during a race before and I had no idea how far back the other racers were! I knew how to fix a chain, but I want sure if I had the time. I decided to just continue thinking the rest of the lap was mostly downhill. I was kind of right... there was quite a bit of descending, but way more to run than I would have liked! :p

Eventually I crossed the finish line, surprisingly still in the lead! I thought for sure I would drop back at least a couple positions. The best part of the whole experience had to have been the podium, pros get to win money!!! After an exhausting, but great day it was time to catch the ferry back home. I couldn't wait to tell my parents about everything that happened that day, their were some rough patches, but I loved every minute of it!

Bianca

ONTARIO CUP PHOTOS - by Marek Lazarski