Kate Courtney grabs bronze medal at MTB World Cup opener!
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Albstadt, GER (May 18, 2013) – American Kate Courtney (Kentfield, Calif./Whole Athletes) rode off with a bronze medal today at round one of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Albstadt, Germany.
The 18-year-old Courtney lined up with nearly 50 junior women under sunny skies for the cross country event on a very technical and slippery circuit. After a good start, the American moved up throughout the race and led briefly in the final lap before slipping to third. She finished behind winner Greta Weithaler (ITA) and silver medalist Marlene Degn (DEN).
"I had a great race out there today. It was a tough field with a lot of girls battling for position early on, but luckily I was able to work my way back on the hard climbs," Courtney said after her podium presentation. "I felt really good and loved the fun, technical course which was in great shape for our race. I'm so excited I was able to hang on for third in my first World Cup of the season!"
Also featuring U.S. athletes today were the U23 men's and U23 women's cross-country races.
Over 100 athletes toed the line for the U23 men's race and it was Howard Grotts (Durango, Colo./Specialized Racing XC) to place highest for the U.S. in 20th. His compatriots, Kerry Werner (Banner Elk, N.C./BMC U23 Development Team) and Russell Finsterwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Trek Factory Racing), finished 50th and 87th respectively.
In the women's U23 event, Shayna Powless (Roseville, Calif./BMC Mountainbike Development Team USA) rode to 37th place as the lone representative of the United States.
Round one of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup continues on Sunday with the junior men's and the elite men's and women's cross-country competitions.
The 18-year-old Courtney lined up with nearly 50 junior women under sunny skies for the cross country event on a very technical and slippery circuit. After a good start, the American moved up throughout the race and led briefly in the final lap before slipping to third. She finished behind winner Greta Weithaler (ITA) and silver medalist Marlene Degn (DEN).
"I had a great race out there today. It was a tough field with a lot of girls battling for position early on, but luckily I was able to work my way back on the hard climbs," Courtney said after her podium presentation. "I felt really good and loved the fun, technical course which was in great shape for our race. I'm so excited I was able to hang on for third in my first World Cup of the season!"
Also featuring U.S. athletes today were the U23 men's and U23 women's cross-country races.
Over 100 athletes toed the line for the U23 men's race and it was Howard Grotts (Durango, Colo./Specialized Racing XC) to place highest for the U.S. in 20th. His compatriots, Kerry Werner (Banner Elk, N.C./BMC U23 Development Team) and Russell Finsterwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Trek Factory Racing), finished 50th and 87th respectively.
In the women's U23 event, Shayna Powless (Roseville, Calif./BMC Mountainbike Development Team USA) rode to 37th place as the lone representative of the United States.
Round one of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup continues on Sunday with the junior men's and the elite men's and women's cross-country competitions.
This Article Updated February 18, 2014 @ 09:22 PM For more information contact:
