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BEIJING - Catharine Pendrel was just a couple of deep breaths away from a surprise podium finish. Medal favourite Marie-Helene Premont couldn't catch her breath, causing her Olympic hopes to vanish.

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The Canadian Press

so close to a medal: Catharine Pendrel, originally of Harvey Station, climbs one of the steep hills during the women's cross country mountain bike race at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on Saturday. Pendrel finished fourth just nine seconds behind the bronze-medal winning time.

The women's mountain bike race didn't go as planned for either of the Canadians in it Saturday, and the unexpected results left one hoping for bigger things in the future and the other contemplating a problem she'd never experienced in the past.

"I just don't know what happened," said Premont, who was forced to withdraw during the second of six laps because of breathing problems. "For sure it's the worst thing that could happen, to stop at the Olympics. I've never stopped at any race since I began.

"Even when I fell or broke something, I always finished. But here it was a physical problem. This was my health. I couldn't do anything else."

Instead, it was Pendrel challenging for the podium.

The native of Harvey Station now living in Kamploops, B.C. battled 2007 world champion Irina Kalentyeva of Russia for third most of the race, run in searing heat on a treacherous course. The Canadian thought she had a chance to hold off the Russian until she missed a shift on a climb, ending up fourth, nine seconds away from a medal. "It came down to who made a mistake," said Pendrel. "Unfortunately that was me.

"I just had a bit of trouble shifting on that last climb. Irina was right on my wheel. I had to put a foot down. She got by me and that was bronze."

Finishing off the podium didn't prevent Pendrel from celebrating like a winner with her husband and family in the finish line. She won her first World Cup race in Bromont, Que., just prior to the Games and this was another step forward for the 27-year-old.

"To come to your first Olympics and get fourth, that's pretty awesome," said Pendrel. "This year has been just phenomenal. It gives me confidence I can be top three in the world."

Germany's Sabine Spitz won the race, which was six laps around a 4.5-kilometre course, in one hour 45 minutes 11 seconds. Spitz celebrated by jumping off her bike after crossing the finish line and lifting it over her head. Poland's Maja Wloszczowski was second in 1:45:52 while Kalentyeva beat Pendrel for the bronze in 1:46:28. Pendrel was timed in 1:46.37.

French riders took the gold and silver medals in the men's race while Geoff Kabush of Victoria was the top North American, finishing 20th.

Julien Absalon won the gold in 1:55.59 while teammate Jean-Christophe Peraud was second in 1:57.06. Nino Schurter of Switzerland was third in 1:57.52.

Kabush and Seamus McGrath, of Victoria, who was 44th, each battled flat tires. McGrath also tore his front tire off its rim going over a jump.

"I needed a perfect race and it didn't happen," said Kabush, who was timed in 2:03.55. "I had a few mechanical problems early on. I just kept fighting.

"Mountain biking is a difficult sport. A lot of things can happen. It happened to me today."

McGrath was not given a time because he was lapped on the course.

Premont, who has been on the podium in every World Cup race this season, had no explanation for her breathing problem. She grabbed an early lead in the field of 30 riders, but on the second lap television showed her stopped on the course, having an animated discussion with a coach. A few minutes later she was out of the competition.