NORBA series #3 - E2

Mt Snow, Vermont, USA, June 21-22, 2003

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Race 3 - June 22: Short-track cross-country

McGrath and Hanusova win their first Norba ever

By Kristy Scrymgeour

Seamus McGrath (Haro-Lee Dungarees) and Katerina Hanusova (Luna Chix) won their respective categories in the Norba short track event today in Mt Snow, Vermont. McGrath, who placed second in yesterday's Cross Country race, only eight seconds behind Roland Green (Trek-olkswagen), said being "so close yesterday" spurred him on to get the win today. In the women's event, Hanusova was pleased with her race, explaining that she "felt great" and "really wanted it today".

How it unfolded

In the women's race the pace was fast from the gun, splitting the field immediately. Chrissy Redden was quick to attack putting the pressure on, with only Alison Sydor and Sue Haywood (Trek Volkswagen), Mary McConneloug (Seven Cycles) and Hanusova able to hold her wheel. Hannusova made the next move with three laps to go when she powered away from the other four, bravely holding off their chase to the finish. Haywood finished in second place six seconds back and Redden and McConneloug came in together, placing third and fourth respectively.

Hanusova explained her tactics after the race: "The pace was really hard so I tried to be patient and go at the right time. I got a little gap and then tried to maintain it. I could use some more experience but I tried to watch what people were doing, what was going on, and wait for the right moment and hoped that my legs would go with my head."

The men's race played out quite differently, with a few different riders attempting early breaks only to be reeled in by the strong field. Barry Wicks (Kona Clarks) was first followed by a counter attack by his teammate Geoff Kabush. When Kabush was caught, McGrath and Filip Meirhaeghe (Sepcialized) got a significant gap, leaving riders like Adam Craig (Giant-Pearl Izumi) and Roland Green (Trek Volkswagen) to take chase.

Green was able to get close, but just as he did so with two laps to go, McGrath attacked again and this time he was too strong for both the Meirhaeghe (World Cup Champion) and world champion Green. McGrath didn't look back and arrived at the finish line for his first ever Norba win. Finishing in second was Meirhaeghe, followed by Green with Australian Paul Rowney (Sobe Cannondale) edging out Ryder Hesjedal (Subaru Gary Fisher) only one second behind Green.

Photos

Images by Andy Lee/www.usacycling.org

Short Track points leader, Sue Haywood rolls to the line
Always a threat , Chrissy Redden rolls to the front row
McConneloug and Haywood ready themselves
And the women's race is under way
Two-time World Champion, Alison Sydor
Sue Haywood putting in a chase
The leaders before Hanusova makes her move
Hanusova breaks away with two laps remaining
Hanusova takes home the win
Hanusova on the podium
Women's podium , L to R: Florit, Redden, Hanusova, Haywood, McConneloug
The Men's race begins
Roland Green early in the race
Geoff Kabush out of the saddle
Horgan-Kobelski descends
The leaders , McGrath and Meirhaeghe
Meirhaeghe battles it out with McGrath
McGrath takes his first NORBA win
McGrath on the podium
Men's podium , L to R: Horgan-Kobelski, Green, McGrath, Meirhaeghe, Rowney

Results

Men
 
1 Seamus McGrath (Can) Haro-Lee Dungarees
2 Filip Meirhaeghe (Sepcialized)
3 Roland Green (Trek-olkswagen)
 
Women
 
1 Katerina Hanusova (Cze) Luna Chix
2 Sue Haywood (USA) Trek-Volkswagen
3 Chrissy Redden (Can) Subaru-Gary Fisher