MTB World Cup XC #4 - CDM

Madrid, Spain, May 23-24, 2009

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Race 2 - May 23: Junior women cross country

Terpstra wins in a show of power

By Dave McElwaine in Madrid, Spain

Anne Terpstra (Rabobank) wins.
Photo ©: Dave McElwaine

Anne Terpstra (Rabobank) rode her own race and bested her only real challenger Michelle Hediger (Fisher BMC), who took second. Ekaterina Anoshina finished third.

Due to an unusually small junior women's field of just five racers, officials decided to start them at the same time as the junior men. Normally, there would be a two-minute separation. This made for some different strategies as it was possible to become protected within a group of men's riders if you could get a strong enough start.

"We will start with the junior men, and I'll try to stay with them as long as possible," said eventual winner Terpstra before the start.

Terpstra finished the first of three laps about 50 meters ahead of Hediger. But, as they headed back uphill, Hediger bridged up and then briefly passed. Terpstra maintained her own pace and without really attack, she soon regained the lead from Hediger for good.

Michelle Hediger (Fisher BMC)
Photo ©: Dave McElwaine

Terpstra created a gap and then slowly powered away.

When asked after the race whether she had been successful in riding with the men, Terpstra said, "The boys were so fast that after the first part of the track, they were all gone."

"I just rode at my own speed, and on the climbs, I could go faster than her (Hediger)."

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Dave McElwaine / www.trailwatch.net

Anne Terpstra (Rabobank) was relaxed before the race.
The junior women had to start at the back of the junior men's field.
Anne Terpstra (Rabobank) with a small lead on lap one
Michelle Hediger (Fisher BMC) chases AnneTerpstra.
Anne Terpstra (Rabobank) rides with a 45-second lead
Michelle Hediger (Fisher BMC) rides in second place.
Anne Terpstra (Rabobank) feels that running the steepest climb was faster.
Michelle Hediger (Fisher BMC) could ride all but the top of the steepest climb.
Anne Terpstra (Rabobank) streaks downhill.
Michelle Hediger (Fisher BMC) chases Anne Terpstra.
Anne Terpstra (Rabobank) wins.
Michelle Hediger (Fisher BMC) finishes second.
Junior women's podium (L to R): Michelle Hediger (Fisher BMC) second, Anne Terpstra (Rabobank) first, Ekaterina Anoshina (Russian Federation) third

Results

1 Anne Terpstra (Ned) Netherlands                    1.12.51
2 Michelle Hediger (Swi) Fischer-BMC                    0.44
3 Ekaterina Anoshina (Rus) Russia                       5.43
4 Rita Isabel Viegas Barriga (Por) Portugal            18.29
DNF Filipa Ferreira Queiros (Por) Portugal