Laurie Arseneault (Canyon Mtb Racing) posted her second best result of the season in the Mountain Bike World Cup, a 36e place, Sunday, in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. The athlete from Terrebonne was 7 min 47 s behind the winner, Frenchwoman Loana Lecompte.
Posted at 12:45 p.m.
The Quebecer was the second-best Canadian of the day behind her teammate, Ontario’s Emily Batty, who finished 19e row (+4 min 42). Cindy Montambault (-1 lap), from Val-David, finished in 60e rank.
Arseneault was starting far on the starting grid, so she didn’t hesitate to drive faster on the second lap in order to position herself well before the single trails where overtaking was more difficult.
“The first lap was quite slow, so I overcompensated slightly on the second lap, which caused me to build up a bit of fatigue on the third, but I was able to recover towards the last laps,” explained the one who had finished 33e at the first race of the season, in Brazil, and who was eager to battle it out on Sunday.
“I love this course and the atmosphere, so I was very prepared mentally and physically. »
Arseneault had a problem with a loose wheel on the last lap, which caused her to lose a few places, but this glitch did not mar her day as she explained.
“I’m really happy with the shape that comes up and the feeling on the bike. I absolutely loved the battle throughout the race and gave it my all today [dimanche]. I can’t wait for the next race, next weekend, in Andorra! »
In the women’s under-23 event, Marianne Théberge (Pivot Cycles-OTE) placed 24e, one rank ahead of her compatriot Roxane Vermette. Juliette Larose Gingras was forced to retire.
Return to the World Cup for Léandre Bouchard
Defending Canadian champion Léandre Bouchard (Foresco Holding Proco RL) was back in the World Cup for the first time this season, having been sidelined after an accident in training a few days before the first stage. The athlete from Alma, fifth Canadian of the day, ranked 63e (+7 min 27 sec).
Quebecers Marc-André Fortier (Pivot Cycles – OTE, +11 min 14 s) and Raphaël Auclair (Pivot Cycles – OTE) (-1 lap) respectively finished 88e and 95e.
“It’s a performance that is a little worse than expected and it’s a little below. We will dust it off for the next time, recognized Bouchard. I regained my feelings in a big peloton, but it’s a bit more difficult to come back than I expected, but it’s not serious. It’s part of the process. »
The Olympian from the Rio Games crashed in the criterium on Friday and he injured the right side of his body and he said he was slightly inconvenienced on Sunday.
“I know I’m better than that,” concluded the man who was proud to wear the Canadian champion’s jersey for the first time in the World Cup.
At the head of the race, world champion Nino Schurter and Swiss champion Mathias Flückiger fought hard for victory in front of the Swiss spectators. On the sixth and final lap, Schurter started from a distance attacking in the feed zone, but Flückiger then came back in front of him. A few moments later, the two Swiss collided and the Italian Luca Braidot took control and won in the sprint ahead of the South African Alan Hatherly to sign the first World Cup victory of his career.
Fourth behind Flückiger, Schurter was devastated after the race, as he was in excellent position to win his 34e World Cup, which would have seen him pass Frenchman Julien Absalon at the top of the list of most successful male cyclist of all time.
In the men under 23, Xavier Roy (-2 laps) took 109e rank of the race where Canadian Carter Woods finished second.