After a day of downhill and four-cross action Saturday, Sunday awoke to the promise of two exciting cross-country races. And with such a technical course, MSA didn't disappoint. First Annabella Stropparo (ITA, Be-One) took her career's first-ever world cup win, then Filip Meirhaeghe (BEL, Specialized) won his first world cup on North American soil. Here's how it went down:

Annabella Stropparo is a walking dichotomy. So cute and personable, you want to root for her to do well. But she's controversial as well, having been suspended more than once for high haematocrit levels in both cyclo-cross and mountain bike racing - and that's not to mention her mysterious absence from last year's Worlds in Vail. But that wasn't the point today, because the little Italian did something no one else could - master the Mont Ste-Anne course and, in the process, win her first world cup.

She was overcome with emotion at the finish, crying with joy at her accomplishment. What she had just done was crush most of the world's best - beating current world cup champion Barbara Blatter (SUI, Specialized) by 32 seconds, World Champion Alison Dunlap (USA, Luna Chix) by 2:50 and a very fast Jimena Florit (ARG, RLX Polo Sport) by 2:51. German champion Sabine Spitz (GER, Merida) rounded out the podium, finishing 3:57 off.

Stropparo took the lead immediately along with #2 ranked Caroline Alexander (GBR, GBR Nat'l Team). But Alexander - to be blunt - was not the picture of control on her bike, something even sweet little Annabella commented on. She nearly crashed on a fireroad climb, and by the end of lap one was in 5th position. She soon DNF'd for unknown reasons, and is said to be retiring after Worlds in Kaprun.

That left Stropparo alone up front, a situation she took advantage of as she attacked to put more time on Blatter, who was 15 seconds behind her. Blatter was half-expecting Stropparo to crash, or have a mechanical as has happened so many times before, but she was the picture of control - saving her equipment and using her considerable cyclo-cross skills to run through the tough sections.

Behind 2nd place Blatter, Jimena Florit was having the ride of her career, sitting strongly in 3rd position and riding with the confidence of a two-time NORBA winner (this season). Her rival and friend Alison Dunlap (USA, Luna Chix) was behind her in 4th position, while Spitz rode steady in 5th.

But by lap four Florit was beginning to fray around the edges, and Dunlap was looking for points to hopefully win the world cup title after sacrificing it for the rainbow jersey last season. By the last lap Dunlap was right on Florit, and then passed her with just seconds left in the race - taking over third position and beating Florit by a second.

They were both behind Blatter, who was 32 seconds behind winner Stropparo - who promptly broke into tears at the finish when the weight of what she had done was clear. "The last half lap I was just enjoying it. On the last downhill I rode hard - every part of the course was difficult today, and it was important not to crash or break equipment."

"It's such a long time that I've been waiting for this - you don't know how happy I am!" she said, adding "All the race I was waiting for something to go wrong, I didn't know what would happen. But when you have good legs you can do it."

"I'm really happy with this result," said 2nd place Blatter. "Annabella was too strong today - at the end I was not strong enough to attack. If you're in such good shape it's not possible to be caught. But for me, to be back in sh ape is the most important thing."

For Dunlap, third place - and its points - was just fine. "I felt good; smooth and consistent, and my legs really came around" she said. "Now I'm looking forward to next week's world cup before the finals."

— Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Correspondent