With the London Olympic Games less than a year away, Czech rider Jaroslav Kulhavy and Canadian Catharine Pendrel have taken out the cross country world titles in Switzerland this morning, whilst Australian Chris Jongewaard made an encouraging return to the world stage.

It was Kulhavy’s first-ever world title, the victory capping off a perfect season for the Czech rider, who had also won the overall World Cup series title two weeks ago. Kulhavy completed the 36.6km course in 1:44:30, comfortably crossing the line 47 seconds ahead of former world champions Nino Schurter (Switzerland) and Julien Absalon (France).

After a tumultuous couple of years and despite an interrupted preparation heading in, Chris Jongewaard’s return to mountain biking at the world championship level was greatly anticipated.
 
The Adelaide rider paced himself early, and rode a solid and consistent race, but was pulled on the final lap to place 37th overall.

“I didn’t want to blow myself up at the start, which I’ve done at previous world events which throws my whole race out, but just wanted to be controlled and have a smooth race.

At about the midpoint of the race, the skies opened and it started to pour, making the technical course even more difficult.

“That’s mountain biking and you have to adjust to the conditions. I stopped to let pressure out of my tyres and that helped a little bit, but it was still really slippery.”

Today’s race was a confidence booster for Jongewaard, who can now turn his attention to pulling together a complete pre-season ahead of next year’s Olympics.

 “This year has been about UCI points and looking ahead. Hopefully I can now have a proper pre-season, train up and get a good base, and come out firing next year.

“I now have confidence in myself and my ability, and know that I can come back.”
 
In other Australian results, Athens Olympian Sid Taberlay (TAS) also rode a solid race, finishing just behind Jongewaard in 40th position.

Beijing Olympian Dan McConnell (VIC) had a good start but came off his bike mid-race, losing time and position, but fought back through the field to place 55th overall.

Victorian Lachlan Norris, who has just come off a long tour stint on the road, found himself battling, and was pulled with three laps to go, placing 80th overall.

“The elite men rode quite well and they were unlucky to be marginally lapped out,” said MTBA sports director Chris Clarke. “It shows we still have some things to improve and work on for next year heading into the Olympics. We now know exactly where we’re at and I’m looking forward to building towards next year in London.”

 

Women’s Elite Cross Country

Canada’s Catharine Pendrel won her first world title of her career, holding off a late charge by Maja Wloszczowska of Poland to win by 28 seconds, with Italian rider Eva Lechner claiming bronze. Pendrel set a ferocious pace from the outset, completing the 31.8km course in 1hr 46min 14sec.

Australian champion Katherine O'Shea (VIC) was competitive early, and despite some stomach problems mid-race, got her rhythm back and started to punch out good consistent laps, before being pulled with two laps to go, to place 46th overall.

“It was definitely a tough course, with lots of technical aspects,” O’Shea said. “The intensity was hot from the start and the pace was really fast.”

 Mountain Bike Australia