Geoff Kabush (Maxxis) and Marie-Hélène Prémont both defended their Canadian national cross-country titles from 2007 during this year’s championships, run June 19 at Mont-Ste-Anne, Québec.

Both riders won by slim margins, with Derek Zandstra (3 Rock Racing) and Catherine Pendrel (Luna) taking the runner-up spots.

The victory marked the fifth career title for Kabush and the sixth for Prémont. Both will don their national colors at Mont-Ste-Anne’s cross-country World Cup race on July 27.

Taking the U23 victories were Raphael Gagne (Rocky Mountain) and Emily Batty (Trek Bicycle Store).

2008 Tim Horton’s Canadian National Championships
Elite men
1. Geoff Kabush (Can), Maxxis, 1:45:43
2. Derek Zandstra (Can), 3 Rox Racing, at 0:01
3. Mathieu Toulouse (Can), Maxxis, at 3:33

Elite women
1. Marie-Hélène Prémont (Can), Rocky Mountain, 1:42:42
2. Catharine Pendrel (Can), Luna, at 0:01
3. Wendy Simms (Can), Kona, at 4:11

Paulissen keeps marathon XC world title

The UCI has confirmed a commissaires panel’s decision to relegate first-place finisher Christoph Sauser of Switzerland following the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships.

The panel relegated Sauser to second place for sprinting in an unauthorized manner at the championships in Villabassa, Italy, awarding the victory to Belgian Roel Paulissen with Urs Hubert of Switzerland third.

Sauser’s team, Specialized Factory Racing, and his national federation appealed the decision.

Tostado takes Breckenridge 100

Breckenridge native Josh Tostado took his fourth consecutive victory at the Breckenridge 100 cross-country race, breaking his own course record along the way.

Tostado turned a time of 8:14:37 over the rugged 100-mile course, finishing 20 minutes ahead of Evan Plews (Scott USA), with another Coloradan, Greg Krause (Ellsworth-Primal Wear), taking third at 29:35 back.

Kelley Cullen (Rocky Mountain Racing) won the women’s race in 10:08:20. Amanda Riley-Carey (Kenda-Titus Hayes) finished second.

The Breckenridge 100 is a stop on the National Ultra Endurance Series and features more than 13,000 feet of climbing.