May 18/12 9:25 am - Riders Crash Out of La Bresse World Cup

Posted by Editoress on 05/18/12
 

New Zealand's Rosara Joseph (Rabobank Giant) and Hungary's Barbara Benko (Focus-Mig) are both out of this weekend's World Cup in La Bresse, France, after crashing and one breaking their arm (Joseph) and twisting an ankle (Benko) in separate incidents.  For both it is a blow to Olympic aspirations.  Joseph is in a battle with fellow New Zealand rider Karen Hanlen for the single spot their nation qualified, while Hungary had an outside chance of catching Denmark for the final women's spot.

Heavy cloud is now moving in after sunny weather earlier in the week, which follows closely the predictions for rain this weekend.  If it does rain, the course will become muddy and slippery quickly - particularly the downhill.  Riders have being saying that it is still rideable when wet, but that doesn't take into account the damage that will be done by some 400 Under-23 and Junior riders prior to the Elite races...