Pendrel and Batty set off Canada's medal explosion with gold and silver in women's mountain bike

On her way to the gold medal finish today, Catharine Pendrel of (Kamloops,BC) built up a sizeable lead during the first lap of the six-lap mountain bike race at Cathkin Braes and never seemed to look back. 

"Anyone who has watched me race before knows that I just like to go hard right from the start," said Pendrel.

"I really thought the race would stay together much longer than it did but when you get some space between you and other riders you just go for it," added Pendrel.

Pendrel was elated with the win, and very proud to have done it for Canada.

"It feels amazing to win the gold for Canada".

"I was trying to ignore the fact Canada has never not gotten gold at the Commonwealth Games. I didn't really want that pressure on me coming into this but I knew with how quick Emily was going as well and that we had a strong chance. I just tried to treat it like any other race and do my best and I'm glad that was gold," said Pendrel.

Emily Batty (Brooklin, ON) finished with the silver but was in a tight race with Rebecca Henderson of Australia throughout most of the afternoon. It was not until mid-way through the sixth and final lap that she finally broke away, giving Canada it's first double podium of these Games.

"Being in Scotland there is this amazing energy. The fans were spectacular. With the roaring crowd it really felt like the Olympics."

"I came here for gold but silver is the next best. Its' not exactly what I came for but not bad for my first Commonwealth Games," said Batty.

On the men's side, it looked as though Max Plaxton (Tofino, BC) was going to join Pendrel and Batty on the podium at Cathkin Braes. He held strong with the lead pack for the first 6 and a half laps, but mid-way through his final lap, fatigue set in and he could no longer match the pace of the group. He finished in 16 seconds off the podium in 4th place. Raphael Gagné of Quebec City, QC put in a strong effort and finished in 7th place.

The team now heads back to Canada for the World Cup event being hosted at Mont St. Anne.