May 18/02 1:45 am - Junior Race Story & Canadian Connection

Posted by Editor on 05/18/02
 

Junior Race

There were two stories today at the Junior race in Madrid - the battle for first between Ivan Ortiz (Mexico) and Remy Digregorio (France) which Digregorio won with a fourth lap attack, and the unexpected Canadian name on the start list.

First the race: Digregorio and Ortiz were the class of the field, riding away on the first lap (of 5). They would not be challenged by the remainder of the field. Andras Melts (Austria), Sergio Gutierrez (Spain) and Loic Guerin (France) would swap positions during the race, but would finish in the above order.

Now the Canadian story. On the start list, in third place, was a rider I had never heard of, identified as a Canadian - Max Plaxton. During the race Plaxton started strong, placing as high as fifth, before gradually dropping back to finish 9th. After the race I tracked him down to find out more about this mysterious Canuck.

It turns out that he and his family are from Vancouver Island - Tofino to be exact. They moved to Spain 3 years ago and Max took up racing shortly afterwards. His credentials are impressive: last year as a Cadet he won the Spanish Cup national series. This race was a disappoint for him, since he usually finishes with the top Spaniards.

The story gets more interesting: it turns out the Plaxtons are moving back to B.C., and Max and his parents are looking for a team for him to ride for. They will be back in time for the Canadian rounds of the World Cup, and he plans to race the Junior event at Grouse, and possibly the Mont Ste Anne one, before going to the Nationals.

If there are any teams interested in talking to Max Plaxton, you can contact him at evans@arrayinter.net.

In the women's race, Austrian champion Elisabeth Osl led from start to finish, ahead of French riders Olivia Cascino and Maureen Guichardot.