09.04.2006: Race report from Multivan Merida Biking Team:

Sea Otter Classic: Gunn-Rita Dahle wins shortrace, Hermida third

At the Sea Otter Classic Gunn Rita Dahle continued her triumphant march with a win in shortrace, ahead of Katerina Nash and Mary McConneloug. On the extremly muddy racetrack Dahle attacked on the second lap, taking Katerina Nash with her. Dahle is now leading the overall ranking with 227 points, while McConneloug on 208 points moved up into second place ahead of Alison Sydor.

In the mens race Adam Craig capped a thrilling race with a late-race challenge that took him past overall leader Jean-Christophe Peraud and Jose Antonio Hermida. In the Pro Men's Omnium Peraud holds the lead with 334 points, and Bart Brentjens, who finished sixth today, remains second on 311. Third overall going into tomorrow's final day is Jose Antonio Hermida (308 points).

Ralph Näf is still down with influenza after an exhausting trip to the worldcup on Curaçao. «It is sad for me to follow the race as a spectactor. But to participate with having a temperature is senseless» a coughing Näf explained his resignation.


Results Shortrace, Sea Otter Classic, Monterey (USA), Men:
1. Adam Craig (Giant)
2. Jean Christoph Peraud (Orbea)
3. Jose Antonio Hermida (Multivan Merida Biking Team)
4. Thomas Frischknecht (Swisspower)
5. Todd Wells (GT)

Results Shortrace, Sea Otter Classic, Monterey (USA), Women:
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle (Multivan Merida Biking Team)
2. Katerina Nash (Luna Women's MTB Team)
3. Mary McConneloug (Seven Cycles/Kenda)
4. Melanie McQuaid (Orbea)
5. Kiara Bisaro (Gearsracing.com)