Maple Ridge’s Jean Ann Berkenpas will be joining the world’s best mountain bikers at the 2011 Mountain Bike and Trial World Championships in Champéry, Switzerland from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.
Berkenpas will part of the 27-rider strong Team Canada contingent at the competition as a member of the elite women development team.
“The World Championships in Champéry will be another great chance for our athletes to fine tune their performances before the 2012 Olympic Summer Games London,” said Dan Proulx, head coach of the Canadian mountain bike program.
“Our women’s program is very strong right now and we have some talented young riders coming up through the ranks.”
Amongst the star-studded line up in women’s elite category, will be three-time Canadian champion and 2010 World Cup champion Catharine Pendrel, five-time Canadian champion and 2009 World Cup champion Marie-Hélène Prémont, and Emily Batty, a four-time U-23 Canadian champion now racing in the elite category.
“We have some fantastic role models and leaders in our elite team,” said Proulx.
“Their success at the top of the sport has raised the bar for our younger riders. Every member of the team seems more and more driven to be the best.”
• For more information, please visit www.canadian-cycling.com.
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