Race winner Georgia Gould
Writing and Photos by: Shannon Boffeli
The women’s race started at 11:30 today under blue sunny skies and warm temperatures. All eyes were on the Luna Women’s Mountain Bike Team to see if they would continue their domination of the national series. Everyone knew Luna riders Catherine Pendrel and Georgia Gould would be in good shape but due to a hectic travel schedule the Luna team arrived in Fontana just hours before the race started and neither racer had a chance to ride the new race course before the start gun fired.
The Luna duo quickly put to rest any notions that they wouldn’t win the opening round of the Pro XC Tour.
Pendrel rides the top of the steep technical climb on the fourth and final lap
From the gun Gould surged to the front and by the time they started the first climb of the day Gould and Pendrel were out front. The two exchanged the lead often with Pendrel surging ahead on the steep climbs and tight singletrack. She was the only woman to clean the entire first climb without stopping. Gould on the other hand, would grind her way to the lead on the open power climbs.
While these two battled at the front Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher) quietly established herself in third place, ticking out a consistent pace just behind the Luna duo. Irmiger has made some changes in her position on the bike and her training over the off-season and it has clearly paid dividends as she rode uncontested in third.
While these two battled at the front Heather Irmiger (Subaru/Gary Fisher) quietly established herself in third place, ticking out a consistent pace just behind the Luna duo. Irmiger has made some changes in her position on the bike and her training over the off-season and it has clearly paid dividends as she rode uncontested in third.
Canadian Under-23 rider Emily Batty
Canadian Under-23 rider Emily Batty proved to be a serious contender, riding strong in fourth position throughout the day. The young rider was impressive on the longer open climbs pushing the pace often out of the saddle well into the later stages of the race. Much like Irmiger she rode a consistently all day and was never at risk of losing her 4th spot.
Just behind Batty a back and forth battle between Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher), Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth), Amanda Sin (3-Rock), Kelli Emmett (Giant), and X-Terra Champion Melanie McQuaid (Specialized/Sho-Air) raged. All riders were vying for the final spot on the podium. Koerber took the early advantage with McQuaid and Emmett just behind.
As the race went on it seemed the X-Terra Champ didn’t have as much depth to her form as the other riders. As she faded back Amanda Sin moved up closing the gap with Koerber and the two rode wheel to wheel.
On the final lap it was Gould who held the lead at the top of the first technical climb. Once over the top she could use her raw power to edge farther away from her Luna teammate and the rest of the field. Gould charged her way to the finish, taking her second consecutive win in Fontana. Pendrel crossed the line in second followed by Irmiger, and Batty.
With the final podium spot on the line Willow Koerber and Amanda Sin rounded the final turn still locked together. They quickly wound it up with Koerber proving to have the bigger engine taking the fifth and final spot on the podium.
Kelli Emmett crossed the line in 7th, followed by Sawicki, Melanie McQuaid, and Allison Mann (IE Bikes) having a fantastic ride in her first race as a professional.
Just behind Batty a back and forth battle between Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher), Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth), Amanda Sin (3-Rock), Kelli Emmett (Giant), and X-Terra Champion Melanie McQuaid (Specialized/Sho-Air) raged. All riders were vying for the final spot on the podium. Koerber took the early advantage with McQuaid and Emmett just behind.
As the race went on it seemed the X-Terra Champ didn’t have as much depth to her form as the other riders. As she faded back Amanda Sin moved up closing the gap with Koerber and the two rode wheel to wheel.
On the final lap it was Gould who held the lead at the top of the first technical climb. Once over the top she could use her raw power to edge farther away from her Luna teammate and the rest of the field. Gould charged her way to the finish, taking her second consecutive win in Fontana. Pendrel crossed the line in second followed by Irmiger, and Batty.
With the final podium spot on the line Willow Koerber and Amanda Sin rounded the final turn still locked together. They quickly wound it up with Koerber proving to have the bigger engine taking the fifth and final spot on the podium.
Kelli Emmett crossed the line in 7th, followed by Sawicki, Melanie McQuaid, and Allison Mann (IE Bikes) having a fantastic ride in her first race as a professional.
Heather Irmiger attacks the hike-a-bike section
After the race both Luna riders commented that they enjoyed the new course despite not getting a chance to ride it before the race. Once again it appears the Luna team are the ones to beat on the Pro XC Tour. We will see if any of the other women can knock them off the top of the podium at the Sea Otter Classic in April.
Pro Women Results
1. Georgia Gould (Luna)
2. Cathrin Pendrel
3. Heather Irmiger (Subaru-Gary Fisher)
4. Emily Batty
5. Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
6. Amanda Sin
7. Kelli Emmett (Giant)
8. Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth)
9. Melanie McQuaid (Sho-Air/Specialized)
10. Alison Man
11. Kathy Sherwin
12. Chloe Forsman (Luna)
13. Amanda Carey
14. Krista Park
15, Aleksandra Rokita
16, Natasha Hernday
17, Anina Aaron
18, Sue Butler
19, Zephanie Blasi
20, Maureen Kunz
21, Sarah Kaufmann
Pro Women Results
1. Georgia Gould (Luna)
2. Cathrin Pendrel
3. Heather Irmiger (Subaru-Gary Fisher)
4. Emily Batty
5. Willow Koerber (Subaru/Gary Fisher)
6. Amanda Sin
7. Kelli Emmett (Giant)
8. Pua Sawicki (Ellsworth)
9. Melanie McQuaid (Sho-Air/Specialized)
10. Alison Man
11. Kathy Sherwin
12. Chloe Forsman (Luna)
13. Amanda Carey
14. Krista Park
15, Aleksandra Rokita
16, Natasha Hernday
17, Anina Aaron
18, Sue Butler
19, Zephanie Blasi
20, Maureen Kunz
21, Sarah Kaufmann
