1998 World Cup Mountain Biking
Canmore, Alberta
July 4-5, 1998

CLICK FOR

They're Off

Cadel Evans (AUS) is one happy camper these days. He's having such a strong season, both the red U-23 leader's jersey and the blue Grundig senior jersey are his. Since he can't wear both, his Volvo-Cannondale team made him a special skinsuit; half red, half blue with a number-one place built right into the pocket. It came in handy as he won here in Canmore, Canada. And it will be used again since he retained jerseys and number plate for next week.

Evans is All Wins

And how stoked was teammate Alison Sydor to win here, in front of her home crowd after a lackluster early season? Judging by her smile going up the last lap, nearly 3 minutes ahead of second-place finisher Laurence Leboucher (FRA, Peugeot LaPoste), she was pretty happy. Or judging by the fact that she actually got off her bike and raised it over her head mere yards from the finish, we think she was very happy. But it was definitely clear how much this win meant to her when, after asked how it all felt, she broke down and cried in front of the TV cameras.

Alison Toasts Herself

It all happened here in the nordic center of Canmore, where the '88 Calgary Olympics staged skiing and biathlon — giving us mountain bikers the best venue yet for a race. Clouds on Saturday, rains Sat. night and a sunny Sunday greeted 11,000 hospitable fans who lined this gnarly figure-8 course to watch their superheroes (most notably Sydor) battle it out for late-season points — the race for the crystal globe heating up.

Saturday kicked things off as Sydor crushed for her second win this season. 20 seconds per lap... that's how far she moved away from the field each and every lap, until by the end she was 3 minutes ahead of the field - enough time to clean up and hop over the fence, high-fiving teammate Annabella Stropparo (ITA, Volvo-Cannondale) who had an awesome ride for 5th place.

Between the two Volvo-Cannondale riders were Chantal Daucourt (SUI, Trek Volkswagen), winner of Budapest's round 3, Paola Pezzo (ITA, Gary Fisher), winner of Portugal's round 2 and Laurence Leboucher (FRA, Peugeot LaPoste), who won the previous round in Plymouth. None of them could even come close to Sydor's blistering pace, but had a nice battle amongst themselves.

Racing began at noon on Saturday, shortly after a morning shower slicked up the roots and “Chute” descent, sending hapless women careening into trees and on their butts in the mud. The crowd seemed to carry the powerful Canadian up and over the course's challenges - lifting her to the highest point in her career since taking silver at Atlanta '96.

Mierhaeghe Had It

Sunday's manly racing was really a battle between three riders; Evans, Miguel Martinez (FRA) and Filip Meirhaeghe (BEL). Meirhaeghe took the early lead and put a minute of hurt on Martinez before blowing up and joining the petit Frenchman in a dash for the cash (and points). Evans was having none of it, however, as he put his lousy start behind him along with everyone else and caught the two Euros to overtake the lead in the last half-lap of the race.

Evans had made up nearly a minute of time on course, riding a solo effort to catch the leaders as he tried to put another 100 points on his tally for the overall. After narrowly losing the title to Martinez last season, this Aussie had no intention of relinquishing his court-jester-esque uniform for the ordinary team garb his teammates wear.

Meirhaeghe, who won Germany's round 4, had a brilliant start and looked to perhaps win after crashing with Martinez in round 5. But, as is becoming a pattern this season, Evans uses impeccable timing to dash anyone else's hopes of victory - grabbing wins in final climbs.

Fiction and Fact: The Mountain Zone Almanac

Sydor Up Close

Evans had such a strong lead coming into this race that he could have joined us armchair quarterbacks in the palatial pressroom and still retained the jersey.

Pezzo has been tearing it up on the road courses, and may race road AND mountain next season. She might also attempt the Tour de France Feminine.

Kirk Molday (USA, Trek Volkswagen) is back! A 10th here finally takes some mental pressure off the NCS champ as he recovers from big-team pressures.

Top American woman was Ruthie Matthes (PowerBar) who diced it out with Tammy Jacques (USA, Schwinn-Toyota) most of the day. The two took 11th and 13th.

Pro-Flex is now No-Flex. K2 Bikes (formerly ProFlex) are no longer the full suspension holdouts on the XC circuit. Pros are now riding 21 lb. Easton hardtails in competition.

Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR, American Eagle) is a Bald American eagle once again. I guess she didn't like her blue hair, but she still looks great. Luca Bramati (ITA) has signed with the Mt. Dew/Specialized squad after his Colnago team folded.

DBR has indeed signed Katey Maher of Oregon onto their NORBA and WC squad. She DNF'd with a twisted chain this weekend.

Margarita Fullana (ESP, Mt. Dew/Specialized) missed this round due to Spanish Olympic team qualifying races back home. She'll also miss Conyers.

Only 56 men finished in the lead lap.

—Rich Neare, on his way to the Calgary Stampede for The 'Zone.