August 18, 2009 (Coquitlam, BC) - There's nothing quite like mountain bike World Cups in Europe, where the competition is steep and cycling is close to the hearts of everyone, including the thousands of screaming fans that come from far and wide on race day.
Experienced Euro-traveler and veteran MTB World Cup racer Sandra Walter has stepped up, along with Pedal Magazine, to help more riders get the chance to race World Cup #7 in Champery, Switzerland and World Cup #8 in Schladming, Austria. Walter is pooling resources, her extensive experience, local knowledge, fluency in German, and management skills to organize a cost-effective, hassle-free, and fun trip - the inaugural Canadian Privateer Project presented by Pedal, September 9-21.
According to National Mountain Bike Coach Dan Proulx, our best riders need more experience racing in Europe. “The CCA supports a National Team project that attends each World Cup, but we still need to get more Canadians racing over there,” said Proulx. “Canadian racers have to be exposed to the highest level of racing to become more competitive on the world stage.” Walter's initiative will follow the lead of many European and Australian domestic teams who follow the MTB World Cup circuit throughout the year in order to expose future National team riders to a higher level of competition.
“I’ve raced in both Champery and Schladming before,” she said. “I speak the language, and I have lots of experience with getting around and competing in the area. I know where to go for the best deals, so we can make this trip as easy on our pocketbooks as possible, but we can also be sure we’re getting everything we need in order to have our best performances.”
Depending on the number of participants, the package will cost between $1,500 and $2,000. The package will include ground transportation, logistics, race support, and accommodations. Riders will be responsible for paying their own flights, race entries, food, and incidentals in addition to the package price.
Canadian Privateer Project Details
Package will cost between $1500 and $2000 (depending on # of participants).
Includes:
- 12 night's accommodation
- Airport pick-up at ZRH on Wednesday, September 9 and drop-off on Monday, September 21
- Transportation, van rental and fuel for 12 days
- Race day feeder/tech support
- Coaching/Management
- Local knowledge and logistics by experienced European traveler and MTB World Cup racer Sandra Walter
- Post-race team dinner in Schladming on September 19, courtesy of Pedal Magazine
- A stylish Pedal T-shirt
- Prizes from Pedal Magazine for the winners of Canadian Privateer Project contests
Riders will be responsible for:
- Flights
- Food costs
- Race entries
- Travel insurance
- Incidentals
Walter is requesting that all interested riders email an expression of interest and a brief racing résumé as soon as possible to sandra@sandrawalter.ca if they would like to participate in this “privateer” project.
Feel free to contact Walter with questions or for more details. The program is open to Elite, U23 and Junior competitors.
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Photo: Frank Bodenmüller file photo
Nothing beats the thrill of MTB racing in Europe...
Photo: Frank Bodenmüller file photo
Photo: Sandra Walter
Feel the Euro buzz...
Photo: Sandra Walter
Photo: Sandra Walter
Madrid dinner courtesy of Pedal Magazine in 2008 (l-r): Amanda Sin, Wendy Simms, Ricky Federau, Catharine Pendrel, Sandra Walter, Emily Batty, Derek Zandstra, Mical Dyck, Alison Sydor.
Photo: Sandra Walter
Photo: Sandra Walter
Sandra Walter (Can) Local Ride... thumbs up to Euro MTB World Cups.
Photo: Sandra Walter
Photo: Sandra Walter
Luckily Cath Pendrel's husband is not the jealous type.
Photo: Sandra Walter
Photo: Sandra Walter
Group shot in Champery, Switzerland in 2007 (l-r): Catharine Pendrel, Seamus McGrath, Kris Sneddon, Max Plaxton, Wendy Simms, Sandra Walter, Kiara Bisaro (front).
Photo: Sandra Walter
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