Maja Wloszczowska claimed the Elite women’s cross country race at the 2012 RockyRoads UCI MTB World Cup Pietermaritzburg at Cascades MTB park \u00a9 Darren Goddard (cycho.co.za)\/Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShe (Emily Batty) took my usual line in the rock garden on the last lap so I had no option but to go right so I just left off my breaks and went for it!\u201d explained a thrilled Wloszczowska. \u201cI\u2019m so proud of myself,\u201d she laughed. \u201cI knew only the left line because my coach told me that \u2018that’s the line you have to go\u2019, so I kept to the left line the whole race and then when I saw that Emily took the left and I had no choice. I had to try to pass her on the right, so that was my best decision in the whole race today.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite having come so close there was little evidence of disappointment on Batty\u2019s face after the race; instead the Canadian star was elated with her season opening effort and full of praise for her fellow competitor.<\/p>\n \u201cMaja was keeping on the inside (through the rock garden), so I figured that if I could just take that line it would be quicker, but she still took the other side and just nicked me in the corner and she was able to slip through,\u201d described Batty. \u201cIf this was a little longer, I would have preferred it. A hundred feet more, but I felt so awesome out there. I can\u2019t thank everyone for supporting me enough. You all know who you are!\u201d<\/p>\n Canadian Emily Batty gave it her all but had to settle for second place in the Elite Women’s cross country race at the 2012 RockyRoads UCI MTB World Cup Pietermaritzburg at Cascades MTB park \u00a9 Darren Goddard (cycho.co.za)\/Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Standards Raised for Women\u2019s XCO Racing<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n World champ Pendrel gave it her all but simply didn\u2019t quite have enough left in the tank over the closing stages and had to settle for the final step on the podium.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t think the weather was that big a problem. I think we’re all in the same situation. It’s just as hot for everybody out there. I felt good. It\u2019s a factor, it\u2019s challenging and everybody has to deal with the same thing,\u201d said Pendrel.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m not always the most patient racer, so I’m trying to learn to be a little more patient. I’m trying to watch and see how things take shape, but maybe a little more aggression would been better on the last lap. I think this is a great sport and the girls are all riding extremely well \u2013 physically, technically \u2013 and I think it is going to be an exciting year,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Kseniya Kirillova (RUS) was one of few who suffered at the hands of the course and left the course with a badly broken humerus and dislocated right shoulder after she hurtled over her handlebars in the switch-back section just above the Rapid Rocks rock garden at the bottom of the course.<\/p>\n Gehbauer\u2019s Vital Six-Second Gap <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Alexander Gehbauer of Austria claimed the Under 23 Men’s cross country race at the 2012 RockyRoads UCI MTB World Cup Pietermaritzburg at Cascades MTB park \u00a9 Darren Goddard (cycho.co.za)\/Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Earlier in the day Austrian under 23 talent Alexander Gehbauer got his 2012 RockyRoads UCI MTB World Cup season off to the perfect start when he narrowly outsprinted Italian star Gerhard Kreschbaumer (TX Active Bianchi) to claim the spoils in the U23 Men\u2019s Cross Country duel at Cascades MTB park on Saturday morning.<\/p>\n After a titanic three-way battle throughout the five-lap contest between the top two riders and Germany\u2019s Markus Schulte-Luenzum (Focus MIG) it came down to a last lap sprint to separate the trio and it was Gehbauer who ultimately had the legs and powered home six seconds ahead of Kreschbaumer with Schulte-Luenzum claiming third and South Africa\u2019s James Reid (Nedbank 360Life) putting a monumental effort to claim fourth spot.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was my first race (of the year) and I was really excited before the race,\u201d said Gehbauer. \u201cI trained well in the winter and I am so happy. Last year I was injured two days before the European Championships and so it was unbelievable to win again; last year I won two World Cups… perfect!\u201d<\/p>\n Cracker Race for Reid<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n South Africa’s James Reid put in his best effort ever to claim fourth position in the Under 23 Men’s cross country race at the 2012 RockyRoads UCI MTB World Cup Pietermaritzburg at Cascades MTB park \u00a9 Darren Goddard (cycho.co.za)\/Gameplan Media<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Having started slowly Kearsney College old boy Reid ground his way towards the front of the pack early on and put in a stellar effort as he attempted to hunt down to leaders on his own whilst always keeping a careful eye on those trying desperately to catch him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just incredible!\u201d exclaimed an ecstatic Reid who, before the race, had said he was aiming for a top ten finish. \u201cThat\u2019s definitely my best performance ever thus far and I\u2019m just so chuffed!<\/p>\n \u201cBeing part of such a supportive outfit as Nedbank 360Life team has made all the difference. I have been able to raise my game as a result of it. I had it coming and I felt I was in great form coming into this World Cup! It is a confirmation of where I can go with the right guidance and support,\u201d he added. \u201cI\u2019m completely over the moon!\u201d<\/p>\n![\"MTB](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-2-0-03606500-1332067142.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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