Cross Country: Cécile Ravanel wins in Méribel, placing first in the French championship

After a difficult season start, Cécile (team GT Skoda Chamonix) has won the Overall French Cup for the third time (after 2009 and 2010).

August 29th - After a difficult season start, Cécile (team GT Skoda Chamonix) has won the Overall French Cup for the third time (after 2009 and 2010). Before the leaving, her husband Cédric told: «She starts to ramp up, she is really good». And he was not wrong. The GT rider was never bother by her main competitor, Sabrina Enaux. «Sabrina – told Cécile  - forced the tempo in the first round, technically I saw that I could save time and I preferred to ride alone. The important thing was to be the first». Now, Cécile Ravanel enjoys her victory: «Two months ago, if I knew that I would win the overall this year, I would not believe it; I didn’t even calculate the points before the start». In a little more than a weeks, she will be at the start of World XC Eliminator in Saafelden: «I’m dreaming about winning the world title in such discipline».

To complete the classification, Élite lady Fanny Bourdon gained a nice 5th place, allowing her the access to the feet of overall classification in her first season. Julie Berteaux, who missed the final round, placed in second position in the overall under 23 category. In Élite Men Fabien Canal gained the10th position in the final round, placing 2nd in the French cup overall classification. Cédric Ravanel had to settle for 8th place after a mechanical problem occurred in the first lap: «I was leading and I touched a rock and my rear locked out. The wheel broke but I haven’t seen it immediately. Eventually I stopped in the technical zone to change my wheel. What a pity, I could run for the podium». Despite the mechanical problems Cédric moved up from 25th place to  the 8th by performing the 2nd and 3rd best time in the last 3 laps. Finally, in under 23 Men Julien Trarieux fought hard to win his second podium of the season. He pushed hard in the last part of the track gaining the 3rd place.