Canada Cup #3 Report – Hardwood Ski & Bike - June 5

So the team plan was for me to win this weekend, since Jean Ann got it last weekend. After all, fair’s fair. But, unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned. It started on Tuesday with a sore throat. Despite frequent and faithful salt water gargles, the pain persisted and the infection moved to my sinuses. Ugh. Let’s just leave it by saying I felt pretty miserable and just walking up a flight of stairs had me wheezing. Even so, I was determined not to let this bug stop me from racing.

Race day conditions were ideal. Temperatures were in the low 20s, with clear skies and low humidity. Thundershowers the previous day had packed the course down and made it super-fast and grippy. With Emily, Amanda, and Mikaela back from Europe – not to mention Jean Ann (who told me even though I was supposed to win, she wouldn’t just let me win), Catherine, and Brandi – I knew it would be a tough race.

As usual on the Hardwood course, the pack stuck together for the first bit, a wide open chip trail section that kicks up slightly before it hangs a right into a narrower trail and another steeper uphill kicker. I was fine and dandy and well-positioned in the pack until things starting pointing uphill and then my lungs started to burn and I couldn’t maintain the effort required to go that fast. By the time we reached the first singletrack, a whole bunch of girls had passed me and I was resigned to ride my own pace.

Every time I tested my legs on a little climb, I would be wheezing and struggling to recover at the top. My cold was really affecting my lungs and ability to recover. I kept on riding, however, focusing on riding the singletrack fast, smooth, and clean. As long as I concentrated on that and not over-exerting myself on the climbs, I was actually able to have some fun. I eventually did reel in a few of the girls that had gone out faster as they faded and I remained steady.

At the front, Jean Ann tried to stay in contact with leaders Emily, Amanda, Catherine, and Mikaela, but eventually things splintered and everyone finished alone, in the same order. I finished ninth.

Jean Ann relaxes on the deck after the race.

Congrats to everyone. It was a good race on a fun new course. Looking forward to Nationals in 2013/2014! Thanks to Dawn and Ron for the pro feeding job, as well as the usual five-star accommodations and hospitality!

Dawn prepares the post-race meat!

What I’m really looking forward to now is spending some quality time at home and getting healthy. Maybe some sweet BC singletrack is the cure….

Jean Ann and Sandra’s Canada Cup #2 Race Report – Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec - May 29

Canada Cup #2 in Baie-Saint-Paul, QC could not have gone better for the Xprezo-Borsao Race Team. Despite torrential downpours throughout the week and race course that resembled a filthy slip-and-slide, all three of the riders finished in the highest possible positions on the podium. Matt topped the elite men’s field, and Jean Ann and Sandra packed a 1-2 punch in the elite women’s race. As the cherry atop a muddy Sunday, both Matt and Jean Ann now hold the Canada Cup leader’s jerseys.

The elite women’s race was fast from the gun, with Catherine Vipond, the leader after the first race, setting a quick pace through the start loop and into the initial single-track. Jean Ann positioned herself right on Catherine’s wheel, while Sandra got caught up in some traffic in the tight and slick trail, and lost contact. The first lap was a bit of a shot in the dark, as the course had changed drastically from the previous day’s pre-ride. Lines that had been perfectly rideable on Saturday had turned into knee-deep mud bogs in places, requiring much dismounting and running.

About halfway through the first lap, Jean Ann was able to get a small gap on Catherine, through utilizing her skills of running with a bike, honed over the winter cyclocross seasons. After the first lap of four (shortened from the original five due to the extreme conditions), Jean Ann had a 30-second lead on Catherine, with Sandra chasing close behind. The order remained the same, until Sandra caught Catherine on the descent of the third lap. With more rain falling on the trails through the course of the race, the terrain literally turned to a river of mud. Many people struggled with mechanical issues associated with hub deep mud, and slippery and blind descents, including previous series leader Catherine.

Sandra and Jean Ann are stoked about their 1-2 podium finish, and are super happy with how well the XTR Dyna-Sys worked for them in the extreme conditions. They are looking forward to checking out the new race course at Canada Cup #3 in Hardwood Hills on June 5.

Thanks to Xprezo's David and Jef for the feed and umbrella-holding in the start box. So pro! :-)

Sandra :)