Fontana, CA:  The LUNA Pro Team continued its dominance of the National Mountain  Bike Series with Georgia Gould taking the win in both the cross-country and short-track  events.  Katerina Nash placed a close second both days and Catharine Pendrel, in her  debut race with the team, finished fourth in the cross country. 

Cross Country:  With 2008 being an Olympic year many riders have come into the season extremely fit in anticipation of the upcoming World Cup selection races in April. Even after a solid winter of training Georgia commented that she didn't have any idea how she'd do.  "You always tell yourself that you feel good in training and that things are on target, but you never really know until you race."  Obviously she had nothing to worry about.  Georgia attacked from the start hoping to get a lead going into the first loose climb.  "There were a couple tricky spots in the beginning and I didn't want to risk getting stuck behind anyone, so I went for the whole shot. "  Georgia rode off the front for the remainder of the race, winning by almost three minutes.

Katerina Nash put in an outstanding effort and rode in second the entire race.  "The cross-country felt good.   I was climbing well but Georgia was just stronger.  She can start so fast.  But I had a large time gap over third place so I was very happy."  Katerina
is a  favorite to make her fourth Olympic Team for the Czech Republic this summer, so look for her to have strong races at the upcoming Union Cyclist International World Cups.

Catharine Pendrel, in her debut race as a LUNA Chix, was thrilled with her 4th place finish. "The race was super hard, very similar to a World Cup, and extremely competitive.  I had some traffic to negotiate in the beginning but ended up in 3rd place for most of the race.  Unfortunately Wendy Simms got past me in the last 50 meters, but I'm still very excited with a podium finish."  

The rest of the LUNA Team had a solid day.  Shonny Vanlandingham, using these races as training for upcoming XTERRA events, finished in 13th.  Danelle Kabush spent her warm-up and cool down breast feeding Zoe, her 7 month old daughter.  
After losing valuable fluids she was still able to finish 23rd.  Very respectable considering it was her first race back since becoming a mom.  And Chloe Forsman had a difficult day battling stomach problems, something she's been dealing with since the photo shoot a few days earlier.  She had to drop out, but vows to be back next week in the top ten.

 Short Track Cross-Country:  Georgia Gould again soloed away to win the short track event by seven seconds over  teammate Katerina Nash and Wendy Simms of Canada.  It was an aggressive race and more tactical than the previous day's cross-country. 
"This race was much more exciting for me.  I rode well tactically and was patient," said Georgia. "Once I bridged up to Wendy Simms I tried to slow the pace down so Katerina could join us.  Then it was a game of cat and mouse.  I noticed the pace slowing down so I attacked and got away.  I didn't want to get out maneuvered by Wendy on the last lap and possibly lose the race."  Katerina then attacked Simms and powered away to finish in 2nd place, her second podium of the weekend.  The rest of the LUNA Team was mixing it up in the middle of the field.  Chloe rebounded from her frustrating cross-country race and finished in 9th with Shonny Vanlandingham right behind her in 10th, followed by Catharine Pendrel in 11th.  And Danelle Kabush, after another bout of breast feeding, finished in 24th.  

 Alison Dunlap Leads Luna Ambassador Clinic
LUNA's former World Champion, Alison Dunlap, joined the Phoenix Luna Ambassador Team for a two-day clinic in Phoenix and Sedona.  With over 25 women in attendance both days, the clinic was a big success.   "It's such a thrill for me to watch someone
have a breakthrough moment on their bike when they realize they can ride that section they've never cleared before.  That's why I do this."  Look for Alison's race clinics at the upcoming National Mountain Bike Series (NMBS) event in Fountain Hills, AZ.

Up Next
After another successful weekend of racing in Fountain Hills, AZ, Katerina, Georgia, and Catharine will head to Europe to begin the first round of World Cup races in Houffalize, Belgium, while the rest of the team lines up at the Sea Otter Classic.

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