We recieved the following press release from the BCF and ran it. It completely failed to mention that Caroline Alexander got a very credible 5th despite having one arm in a plaster cast. Well done Caroline, on the result rather than the arm of course!

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Liam Killeen was the best of the Brit’s at the opening mountain bike World
Cup of the season, held at the Domaine Chandon Winery in Napa Valley
California on Sunday, writes GB Team Manager Simon Burney. The 18 year old
from Malvern finished with a solid 40th place overall, but perhaps more
importantly he finished an impressive 5th in the U23 category.

The race was held over 6 laps plus 2 start loops, totalling 40km; shorter
race distances have been introduced this season in an effort to make the
racing closer and more spectator friendly. With heavy rain starting to fall
just minutes before the start of the Men’s race, many riders were left
contemplating wrong tyre choices including Michael Rasmussen and Steve
Larsen, who both left the race early after crashes.

The final selection came down to three riders; eventual winner Jose Hermida,
Marc Hanisch and Marco Bui. Only 12 seconds covered these three at the
finish after repeated attacks by Hermida.

From the 120 starters, Barrie Clarke finished 46th, Jody Crawforth was
classified 90th after puncturing and having problems with his repair in the
muddy conditions. Tim Morley was 96th after puncturing on the opening lap
and then crashing heavily when a heavy shower on lap three turned some
sections of the course into a skating rink! The remaining WCPP rider, Ian
Wilkinson failed to finish.

In the Woman’s race Caroline Alexander, racing with her left wrist in a
lightweight cast after crashing at a local race last weekend, finished a
fine 5th behind Specialized team-mate Barbara Blatter, whilst the only other
British rider, Victoria Wilkinson, finished 37th.

Following the postponement of next weekend’s Girvan Road Race, originally
part of the GB riders’ training programme, Killeen, Wilkinson and Crawforth
will be joined by Clarke and Elliott Baxter in a composite team which will
race the 6 day Tour of Willamette in Oregon next week.

Women’s Results:

1. Barbara Blatter (SUI, Specialized) in 1:53:07

2. Alison Dunlap (USA) at 0:30

3. Alison Sydor (CAN) at 1:15

4. Chrissy Redden (CAN) at 1:26

5. Caroline Alexander (GBR) at 1:59

6. Corine Dorland (NED) at 3:21

7. Sabine Spitz (GER) at 3:59

8. Irina Kalentieva (RUS) at 4:26

9. Annabella Stropparo (ITA) at 4:38

10. Regina Marunde (GER) at 4:53



Men:

1. Jose Antonio Hermida (ESP)

2. Marc Hanisch (GER) at 8 sec.

3. Marco Bui (ITA) at 12

4. Christophe Dupouey (FRA) at 47

5. Lado Fumic (GER) at 54

6. Gregory Vollet (FRA) at 1:01

7. Bart Brentjens (NED) at 1:26

8. Filip Meirhaeghe (BEL) at 1:45

9. Paul Rowney (AUS) at 1:51

10. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) at 2:02