09.02.11 - ROSSER LEAD CANADIAN DOWNHILL GROUP IN TIMED SESSIONS AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Rosser pumped to defend her World Title in the downhill finals on Sunday

(Champéry, SUI – September 2, 2011) Lauren Rosser of Squamish, British Columbia, the defending World Champion in the junior downhill, posted the sixth fastest time in the timed session on Friday at the 2011 UCI Mountain Bike and Trial World Championships in Champéry, Switzerland.

Rosser, who raced for Canada in the women’s junior cross-country on Wednesday, posted the sixth time, even while stopping twice on the course for its recognition. Rosser did not train on the downhill course until Thursday, after the cross-country race. Kelsey Begg did not finish today’s timed session, however qualified for the Sunday finals. Twelve competitors are registered in the women’s junior downhill race at these Worlds Championships.

In the Elite men downhill timed session, 2011 Canada Cup Champion Rob Fraser of Pickering, On, posted Canada’s top performance to finish with the 49th time of day, amongst a large contingent of 105 riders. Dean Tennant of Sidney, C.-B. posted Canada’s second best time, in 53rd place, followed by Rémi Gauvin of Nanoose Bay, a late addition to the Canadian team, and Chris Del Bosco of Montreal, Qc in 70th and 89th place respectively.

Del Bosco, a Canadian ski-cross star and World champion of the newest Olympic winter sport, finished second in the Canadian downhill championships earlier this summer.

In the women’s timed session, Claire Buchar of Whistler, BC was Canada’s top performer with the 12th time of the day. Buchar is participating in her career tenth World Championships. Katarine Short of Halfmoon Bay, BC. finished behind Buchar in 13th place, followed by Casey Brown of Revelstoke, BC and Miranda Miller of Squamish, BC. in 15th and 17th place respectively.

Kyle Sangers of Kingston, ON was Canada’s top rider in the Men’s junior race, posting the ninth best time of the day of the 62-rider group. Luke Stevens of Calgary, AB, Jordan Hodder of St. John’s, NL, and Riley Suhan de Golden, C.-B. finished 28th, 34th et 35th respectively.

The downhill finals will be held on Sunday as the 2011 Mountain Bike Worlds come to an end.