Jean Ann and Sandra are Going to Worlds!

It's official: Jean Ann and Sandra will represent Canada at the 2010 Mountain Bike World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC on September 5! The two fast girls are thrilled at the news.

(l-r) Jean Ann and Sandra proudly don the Canadian team uniform.

"Every time I get the news that I've been chosen to wear the maple leaf jersey and race for Canada, I get goosebumps and tear up," said Sandra. "It's such an honour to be named to the team and I'm so excited to be able to share the experience with Jean Ann."

Photo: Marek Lazarski/lazarskiphoto.com Rider: Sandra rips it up at the Canadian Nationals in Canmore.

Ever since the site of the 2010 MTB Worlds was given to the Canadian venue of Mont-Sainte-Anne, the duo have had the race in their sights. "It was announced several years ago that Sainte-Anne would get the Worlds in 2010, and it's been a goal of mine this whole time," said Jean Ann. "It will be amazing to represent Canada on home soil."

Photo: Marek Lazarski/lazarskiphoto.com Rider: Jean Ann is all focus on the bike.

The Local Ride Women's MTB Team pair will be at the starting line with five other good friends and competitors from Canada, including National Champion, Olympian, and World Cup leader Catharine Pendrel, and frequent training and travel buddy Catherine Vipond. The field will be comprised of the planet's fastest female cross country mountain bikers, who have all been required to meet challenging qualification standards.

"It's inspiring to see the names of the strong and positive women who will be our team mates," said Sandra, who participated in her first World Championships as a junior in 1998 also in Mont-Sainte-Anne, which was the last time Canada hosted the event.

Jean Ann also has strong ties to Mont-Sainte-Anne, having raced there nearly every year of her 10-year competitive cycling career. She has also attended several MTB World Championships as a junior, U23, and now for her first time in the elite category. This will be Sandra's fourth World Championships appearance.

Jean Ann and Sandra have had strong results so far this season, with wins on the provincial road and mountain bike circuits, along with several podiums in the Canada Cup series. Sandra placed fifth at the National Championships and second at the prestigious Squamish Test of Metal. Jean Ann's top performances came on the road, including wins at Local Ride Bike Shop's premiere cycling events: the Barry's Roubaix road race and the Race the Ridge criterium. She also aims to cinch the BC Cup MTB XC title at the series final in Whistler this Sunday.

Stay tuned for more info from the Local Ride Elite Women's MTB Team!