Pendrel, Plaxton Perfect at Canadian Nats

Catharine Pendrel won her third straight Canadian national cross-country title over the weekend in Canmore, Alberta, while Max Plaxton created the biggest upset of the day by winning the men’s title and stopping Geoff Kabush on his quest to make history.

Pendrel (Luna Pro Team) successfully defended her title in a dominating fashion, by posting a time of 1:31:51, a lead of more than two minutes on Marie-Hélène Prémont of Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain. Emily Batty of Subaru-Trek took the third spot.

Max Plaxton (Specialized) raced to his first Canadian elite title in the men’s race, and in doing so stopped Goeff Kabush from winning his record-setting eighth title. Plaxton sped away in the early moments of the race, and kept perfect control and composure for the remainder of the race, which he won with a time of 1:38:28.

Kabush (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) went on to finish second, followed by Derek Zandstra. Kabush is Canada’s greatest mountain biker with seven Canadian titles. He won his first elite title in 2002 and then went on to win every Canadian championship races from 2005 to 2010.

MEN ELITE

1. Max PLAXTON (Victoria, BC / Team Specialized Racing USA) 1:38:28
2. Goeff KABUSH (Courtenay, BC / Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) +01:41
3. Derek ZANDSTRA (Trenton ON / 3-Rox Racing) +03:22

WOMEN ELITE

1. Catharine PENDREL (Kamloops, BC / Team Luna Pro) 1:31:51
2. Marie-Hélène PRÉMONT (Chateau Richer, QC / Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) +02:02
3. Emily BATTY (Brooklin, ON / Subaru-Trek) +04:29