Cross-Country, Women

The leader in the World Cup was Canada’s Alison Sydor, who had won six of the seven races in 1996. But the Italian team had not taken part in the World Cup races in 1996. Sydor was the 1994-95 World Champion, but a challenge was expected to come from Italy’s Paola Pezzo, the 1993 World Champion and European Champion in 1994-96. After an early fall, Pezzo regained touch with the leaders quickly, and at 11 km. powered away from the pack on an uphill stretch. Pezzo opened a big lead, which Sydor closed slightly near the end, but Pezzo won gold by over a minute. The biggest story of the race, however, was likely Pezzo’s cleavage. An attractive woman, she raced on a day of sweltering heat, and to combat that, had her jersey unzipped almost to her navel. The Italian press discussed this fact almost as much as her cycling abilities. She would again win the World Championship in 1997.