10.04.2006: Race report from Multivan Merida Biking Team:

Sea Otter Classic: Dahle and Peraud win Sea Otter Classic

On the final cross country race at the «sea otter classic» Gunn-Rita Dahle and Liam Killeen win the final stage each solo. Dahle secures her leading position in the overall ranking. In the mens category Frenchmen Jean Christophe Peraud defends the lead in the overall ranking with a third place in the final stage.

While the womens race was dominated by an outstanding Gunn-Rita Dahle, in the mens race Great Britain's Liam Killeen escaped soon after the start. Then it was mainly José Hermida chasing Killeen followed by a group of about ten riders. Because of this effort Hermida missed the power to go for the final sprint. He finishes the Sea Otter Classic on place four overall.

The Team Multivan Merida Biking Team heads now back to Europe after having a very succesful season start in America. Gunn-Rita Dahle will be back at home in Norway for the first time after over two month of training and racing.


Results Cross Country, Sea Otter Classic, Monterey (USA), Men:
1. Liam Killeen (GBR) Specialized Factory Racing
2. Alban Lakata (AUT) Specialized Factory Racing
3. Jean Christoph Peraud (FRA) Orbea
4. Jeremiah Bishop (USA) Trek/VW
5. Bart Brentjens (NED) Giant-Racing-Team
6. Christophe Sauser (SUI) Specialized Factory Racing
7. Michael Weiss (AUT) Srm Simplon Team
8. Todd Wells (USA) GT Bicycles
9. Jose Hermida (ESP) Multivan Merida Biking Team
10. Geoff Kabush (CAN) Maxxis

Results Shortrace, Sea Otter Classic, Monterey (USA), Women:
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (NOR) Multivan Merida Biking
2. Sabine Spitz (GER) Specialized Factory Racing
3. Kiara Bisaro (CAN) Gearsracing.Com
4. Wendy Simms (CAN) Velo Bella - Kona
5. Pia Sundstedt (GER) Rocky Mountain/Business Objects

Overall Ranking, Sea Otter Classic, Monterey (USA), Men:
1. Jean Christoph Peraud (FRA) Orbea
2. Liam Killeen (GBR) Specialized Factory Racing
3. Bart Brentjens (NED) Giant-Racing-Team
4. Jose Hermida (ESP) Multivan Merida Biking Team
5. Chris Jongewaard (AUS)

Overall Ranking, Sea Otter Classic, Monterey (USA), Women:
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR) Multivan Merida Biking Team
2. Mary McConneloug (USA) Seven Cycles/Kenda
3. Alison Sydor (CAN) Rocky Mountain/Business Objects
4. Katerina Nash (USA) Luna Women's Mtb Team
5. Kiara Bisaro (CAN) Gearsracing.Com