The Czech Republic’s Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) and Canadian Geoff Kabush (Scott-3Rox Racing) remain atop the standings in both the USA Cycling US Cup Pro Series presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group and the USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Cross Country Tour (Pro XCT) following the third round of races on March 22 in Fontana, Calif.
Women
Catherine Pendrel (CAN/Luna Pro Team) won Saturday’s cross-country race ahead of teammate Nash and Emily Batty (CAN/Trek Factory Racing). Pendrel launched her winning move on lap four of the race and quickly established a gap on the other riders that she would not relinquish. Nash, the winner of the first two races in the series, separated herself from Batty on the final lap to finish second.
With the victory, Pendrel closes the gap on Nash in thePro XCT women’s standings. Nash remains on top with 700 points, but Pendrel cut her pre-race deficit in half and now trails Nash by only 50 points with her total of 650. Batty holds on to third place with 500 points and Georgia Gould (Fort Collins, Colo./Luna Pro Team) remains in fourth place with 425 points after her fourth-place finish at Fontana. Entering the top five of the elite women this week is Evelyn Dong(Salt Lake City, Utah/Backcountry.com) whose fifth-place finish on Saturday gives her 345 points on the season.
After three of four events in the US Cup Pro Series, the women’s standings mirror that of the Pro XCT with Nash leading the way with 107 points, trailed by Pendrel (94), Batty (82), Gould (70) and Dong (61).
Men
In the elite men’s race at Fontana, Australian national champion Dan McConnell (Trek Factory Racing) won a three-up final sprint ahead of Manuel Fumic (GER/Cannondale Factory Racing) and Marco Aurelio Fontana (ITA/Cannondale Factory Racing).
Despite an off-day in Fontana, Geoff Kabush (CAN/Scott-3Rox Racing) remains in the lead of the Pro XCT men’s standings with 540 points. Todd Wells (Durango, Colo./Spezialized Racing), bolstered by his fourth-place finish on Saturday, moves into second place in the standings with 475 points and drops Max Plaxton (CAN/Cannondale Factory Team) to third with 425 points. Fumic enters the top five thanks to his outstanding ride on Saturday. He is now tied for fourth place with Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (ESP/Trek Factory Racing).
The top four of the US Cup Pro Series men’s standings after three of four races are Kabush (94 points), Wells (79), Plaxton (69) and Gutierrez (57). Fontana and Fumic are tied for fifth place with 53 points apiece.
Team
The Luna Pro Team remains atop the Pro XCT team standings with 1350 points after claiming three of the top four spots in the elite women’s race at Fontana on Saturday. Trek Factory Racing is in second place in the standings with 950 points, followed by Sho-Air-Cannondale and Specialized Racing with 565 points each. Kona holds the fifth-place spot in the team standings with 330 points.
Watch a full video replay of the race at Fontana here.
USA Cycling US Cup Pro Series presented by Sho-Air Cycling Group Standings:
Men
1. Geoff Kabush (CAN/Scott-3Rox Racing) — 94
2. Todd Wells (Durango, Colo./Specialized Racing) — 79
3. Max Plaxton (CAN/Cannondale Factory Team) — 69
4. Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (ESP/Trek Factory Racing) — 57
5. Marco Aurelio Fontana (ITA/Cannondale Factory Racing) — 53
5. Manuel Fumic (GER/Cannondale Factory Racing) — 53
Women
1. Katerina Nash (CZE/Luna Pro Team) — 107
2. Catherine Pendrel (CAN/Luna Pro Team) — 94
3. Emily Batty (CAN/Trek Factory Racing) — 82
4. Georgia Gould (Fort Collins, Colo./Luna Pro Team) — 70
5. Evelyn Dong (Salt Lake City, Utah/Backcountry.com) — 61
USA Cycling Pro XCT Standings:
Men
1. Geoff Kabush (CAN/Scott-3Rox Racing) — 540
2. Todd Wells (Durango, Colo./Specialized Racing) — 475
3. Max Plaxton (CAN/Cannondale Factory Team) — 425
4. Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (ESP/Trek Factory Racing) — 330
4. Manuel Fumic (GER/Cannondale Factory Racing) — 330
Women
1. Katerina Nash (CZE/Luna Pro Team) — 700
2. Catherine Pendrel (CAN/Luna Pro Team) — 650
3. Emily Batty (CAN/Trek Factory Racing) — 500
4. Georgia Gould (Fort Collins, Colo./Luna Pro Team) — 425
5. Evelyn Dong (Salt Lake City, Utah/Backcountry.com) — 345
Team
1. Luna Pro Team — 1350
2. Trek Factory Racing — 950
3. Sho-Air – Cannondale — 565
3. Specialized Racing — 565
5. Kona — 330
For complete Pro XCT standings, click here.
For complete US Cup Pro Series standings, click here.
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