Despite a less than picture perfect start to the racing weekend, Squamish's mountain bike prodigy Lauren Rosser still walked away with two podium finishes during the first Canada Cup competition of the season over the weekend.
Rosser and two other Team 麻豆社国产cyclists, Quinn Moberg and Rob Leigh, competed in Mont Tremblant, Que. Saturday and Sunday (May 22 to 23).
Rosser finished the cross country portion of the race in third place with a time of 1:21:29 - 1:46 behind the first place finisher, fellow Canadian racer Laura Bietola.
But the downhill portion of the race was all Rosser's.
Despite a spill near the end of the downhill course, Rosser rode her way to victory on Sunday (May 23). She walked away with a first place finish in the junior women's downhill category thanks to her time of 5:11, nearly two minutes faster than her closest competition Maxine Bergeron.
Ron Rosser beamed with pride, saying his daughter did exceptionally well.
"A fabulous finish, I think. That's the most talent that's been gathered in one spot for her to race against, so she did really well," he said.
Moberg competed in the cadet category, finishing in fifth place a mere 1:12 behind the first place finisher while Leigh ended the junior men's race with a time of 1:40:51, resulting in a 20th place finish.
British Columbia racers owned the podium in the junior men's downhill category with Victoria racer Kyle Marshall taking first, and Whistler cyclists Nick Geddes and Tyler Allison earned second and third respectively, sweeping the podium.
Cycling BC coach Dave Hord said the weekend in Quebec went by without a hitch.
"The weather was freakily fine, the accommodation was superlative, the team worked well together and put in a lot of hard work for a great result."
As a new Cycling BC coach, 麻豆社国产resident Chad Hendren said the two-day event was a good learning experience for him.
"This was my first Canada Cup with Cycling BC, so I learned a good deal myself about the way things work. It was a great experience for me and, I hope, the kids."
Richard Wooles, Cycling BC's head coach and director, said the race gave some young British Columbia athletes the points they need to qualify for the World Cup.
Rosser, Moberg and Leigh are headed to Barrie, Ont. for cross-country and downhill competitions on Saturday (May 29) and Sunday (May 30).
