usacycling.orgVal di Sole, Italy
Robbie Squire (Sandy UT) passed 48 riders during Thursday’s Junior Mens Cross Country contest at the 2008 Mountain Bike World Championships. This earned the United States a 23rd-place finish. The five-lap race was tough and difficult for juniors from the USA. However, they finished in the top 50.
The 18-mile Junior Mens Cross-Country, which was the only medal event at the Mountain Bike World Championships today, proved to be a testament to will. Less than half the 119-rider field completed all five laps. Many of the junior riders were either forced to abandon the course or pulled by the leaders, who set lap times of less than 19 minutes.
However, the U.S. teams Squire picked off rider after rider, moving from a starting position of 71 to finish strong in 23rd overall. American rookie who started racing last year seemed stronger with each lap posting times equal or better than the previous.
Squire explained that I was racing my own race. I was simply trying to maintain a pace. I was not trying to attack anyone.
The near top 20 finish in the world is an important milestone for Squire, who won the Deer Valley National race last season in his tennis shoes.
The 18-year old said that despite all the negative factors, he was happy with the outcome and looks forward to building on the knowledge gained.
John Bennett (El Cerrito CA), who competed in Tuesday’s junior leg of Team Relay, finished in the next highest position for the Americans, with an 83rd-place finish. Seamus Powell (Round Top NY) and Kerry Werner (Birdsboro PA) placed 85th & 92nd, respectively. The four American competitors were all new to international racing and had never raced in an intense 100-rider field.
It was just that I didn’t have a great race. Powell, who was suffering from flat tires, stated that she had no legs today. It is clear that I would be able to put up some results if I had more experience in races like this.
JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS
1. Peter Sagan (Svk) 2. Arnaud Jouffroy, (Fra),+ Matthias Rupp (Swi)Scott Lactat 23. Robbie SquireDevo1 83. John BennettWhole Athlete
85. Kerry WernerShirks at Trek
92. Seamus PowellWindham Mt. Outfittersall -2 laps
