05.24.11 - ANDREW MITCHELL, LAUREN ROSSER TAKE FIRST CANADA CUP DOWNHILL WIN AT MONT-TREMBLANT

Rosser, the World Junior Champion, takes Elite win

(Mont-Tremblant, QC – May 24, 2011) Sunday in Mont-Tremblant was held the first downhill race of the 2011 Canada Cup Series, and Andrew Mitchell and Lauren Rosser took the victory in their respective gender categories as they raced down the treacherous 2.3-km course at Mont-Tremblant, in the Laurentians.

Andrew Mitchell won the men’s race with a time of 4:08.060, while Dean Tennant came second and Yann Gauvin took the third spot.

“The race went well, today's track was tuff and gruelling, maybe one of the hardest I've done. I'm hoping to do the rest of the Canada Cup races permitting me as I will be traveling overseas to compete at the remaining World Cups this year,” said Andrew Mitchell, the 2010 Canadian Champion in downhill. “My next race will be the US Open. I am looking forward to this as the competition in this race gets ramped up! With lots if big names...”

In the women’s race, Lauren Rosser sped down the technical course and crossed the line with a time of 4:51.966 for the top spot. Miranda Millar placed second, while Vaea Verbeeck took the third position

“I had a solid run, got through clean and am really happy with getting the win,” said Lauren Rosser, the 2010 Junior World Champion.

In doing so, both winners take the lead of the Downhill Canada Cup series. In total, athletes will fight for the ultimate championship title in three races throughout the season. The Canada Cup Champions will be crowned at the last event of the season in Panorama, BC.

The next Canada Cup race will be held in Baie-Saint-Paul, Québec on May 29, 2011, the second Cross-country race (XCO) of the national series.

The Canada Cups races in Mont-Tremblant are also considered as Quebec Cup races and also count toward provincial standings.

The Canada Cup event in Mont-Tremblant is the result of collaboration between the CCA, the Fédération québécoise des sports cyclistes (FQSC) and the Mon-Tremblant resort.

The Canada Cup National Cycling Series represents the highest calibre of coordinated domestic racing in Canada. The series is a stepping stone for any riders with the goals of achieve international success. There are two goals of the series: to provide athletes from across the country with the best possible competitive preparation to aspire to national and international level events, and to develop and promote the sport of cycling in Canada through the encouraged participation of all age and ability categories.

The series is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Since its inception in 1991, the Canada Cup Series produced elite athletes notably Olympians Catharine Pendrel (Luna Pro Team), Marie-Hélène Prémont (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) and Geoff Kabush (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain), World Championships silver medallist Steve Smith (Devinci Global Racing) as well U23 National Champion Emily Batty (Subaru-Trek) just to name a few.

RESULTS – 2011 CANADA CUP – MONT-TREMBLANT, QC – DH #1

WOMEN

1. Lauren Rosser (Squamish, BC) 4:51.966

2. Miranda Miller (Garibaldi Heights, BC) 5:00.938

3. Vaea Verbeeck (Granby, QC) 5:08.189

Full results: http://canadian-cycling.com/disciplines/?q=mountain/events/canada-cup

MEN

1. Andrew Mitchell (Victoria, BC) 4:08.060

2. Dean Tennant (Victoria, BC) 4:09.060

3. Yann Gauvin (Bromont, QC) 4:10.225

Full results: http://canadian-cycling.com/disciplines/?q=mountain/events/canada-cup