European World Cup Round Up

Since Fort William the whole World Cup Downhill Circuit embarked on a non-stop 5 week whirlwind travel extravaganza, firstly into mainland Europe (Les Deux Alpes & Schaldming) and then across the Atlantic to Canada and the infamous Mont St. Anne (this coming weekend) and Calgary, before finally coming to rest in Livigno, Italy in September.

Les 2 Alpes Round 2

On a course described as fast piste type affair with massive fly offs and grassy turns which kept all the times really tight in the semi final. During the semi final it was Kona's Fabien Barel who qualified fastest ahead of Steve Peat and Michal Pascal. Muddy Fox's Gee Atherton scored his first World Cup podium in 5th place while Halfords rider Neil "The Don" Donoghue manged an equal 9th place with Kirt Vories.

The final was a different affair as Steve Peat took the overall win by almost 6 seconds from Cedric Gracia. Quik Mik Pascal was third keeping him in the points chase.

Imagine the chaos that occured in town that night, what with the England-France Euro 2004 match on in the pub! Absolute Carnage!

The womens wasn't a forgone conclusion that everybody thought it would be, with Anne-Caroline Chausson riding again after her return to the World Cup at Fort William, almost everybody was expecting a repeat of her performance at the previous weeks race in Scotland.

However it didn't go all her own way as Kona's Tracey Moseley made it a UK double by winning the womens overall and beating Chausson by the closest of margins of 0.14 seconds. Intense's Sabrina Jonnier was a very close 3rd place. Helen Gaskell scored a 7th place building on her experience at Fort William, and Fionn Griffths shows she still has what it takes in 9th.

Mens Results

1. 9 PEAT Steve GBR TEAM ORANGE 3:08.52
2. 3 GRACIA Cedric FRA SIEMENS MOBILE CANNONDALE 3:14.29 +5.77
3. 2 PASCAL Mickael FRA MAXXIS-MSC 3:14.78 +6.26
4. 10 HILL Samuel AUS 3:16.52 +8.00 125
5. 13 ATHERTON George GBR 3:18.52 + 10.00
6. 22 CAMELLINI Julien FRA 3:18.70 + 10.18
7. 1 RENNIE Nathan AUS 3:19.74 + 11.22
8. 5 VAZQUEZ LOPEZ David ESP MAXXIS-MSC 3:21.06 + 12.54
9. 24 VOREIS Kirt USA 3:21.38 + 12.86
9. 50 DONOGHUE Neil GBR 3:21.38 + 12.86

15. 16 LONGDEN Will GBR 3:23.95 + 15.43 55
32. 29 WARDELL Dave GBR 3:27.25 + 18.73 19
44. 44 BALL Chris GBR 3:29.81 + 21.29 7
45. 127 SMITH Dave GBR 3:30.42 + 21.90 6
60. 23 THOMSON Stuart GBR 3:34.45 + 25.93
61. 136 BARKER Steve GBR 3:34.59 + 26.07
64. 49 BRAITHWAITE Thomas GBR 3:35.89 + 27.37
67. 37 HARGREAVES Kris GBR 3:40.84 + 32.32
68. 27 BEAUMONT Marc GBR TEAM ORANGE 3:41.10 + 32.58
69. 184 SORRELL Rowen GBR 3:41.48 + 32.96
71. 34 WARNER Rob GBR 3:45.73 + 37.21
73. 15 ATHERTON Daniel GBR 4:19.79 +1:11.27
139 PAGE Nigel GBR DNF

Womens Results

1. 3 MOSELEY Tracy GBR KONA CLARKS LES GETS 3:37.40
2. 15 CHAUSSON Anne-Caroline FRA COMMENCAL-OXBOW 3:37.54 +0.14
3. 1 JONNIER Sabrina FRA 3:42.67 +5.27
4. 5 SANER Marielle SUI MAXXIS-MSC 3:44.44 +7.04
5. 13 QUIN Vanessa NZL 3:45.12 +7.72
6. 6 GROS Celine FRA TEAM MORZINE AVORIAZ 3:47.14 +9.74
7. 16 GASKELL Helen GBR 3:48.86 + 11.46
8. 10 SUEMASA Mio JPN 3:49.36 + 11.96 85
9. 2 GRIFFITHS Fionn GBR 3:51.59 + 14.19
10. 7 LE CAER Nolvenn FRA 3:52.17 + 14.77

14. 20 REES JONES Anja GBR 3:59.11 + 21.71
18. 18 CONWAY Maria GBR 4:06.55 + 29.15
28. 33 WILTSHIRE Petra GBR 4:21.76 + 44.36
29. 22 COVENTRY Jules GBR 4:30.11 + 52.71

4x

The four cross was located a bit away from the downhill around 40 minutes by some accounts. It too was a steepish affair like the downhill but just not quite as steep. The usual suspects were riding good and smooth, Prokop had it wired and was looking good for the win but a tangle with Allier on the first straight made way for Wade Bootes to move through to first and take the win.

Katrina Miller made is an Austrailian white wash in the four taking her upmtenth win ahead of Jonnier and Dirt's Vanessa Quinn.

A Final
1. BOOTES Wade AUS TREK-VOLKSWAGEN
2. PROKOP Michal CZE
3. GRACIA Cedric FRA SIEMENS MOBILE CANNONDALE
4. ALLIER Thomas FRA

B Final
5. HOLMES Dale GBR
6. AMOUR Karim FRA
7. TAMME Lucas CZE
8. RINDERKNECHT Roger SUI

Final
1. MILLER Katrina AUS
2. JONNIER Sabrina FRA
3. QUIN Vanessa NZL
4. MARGGRAFF Diana ECU ZENITH-MTB-INTERNATIONAL

B Final
5. BEERTEN Anneke NED
6. MOLCIK Anita AUT ARBÖ RSP DOWNHILL RACING
7. SUEMASA Mio JPN
8. ERBRICH Marissa GER

Schaldming, Austria Round 3

Courtesy of Chris Ball, "Schladming was cool. The track was unreal, 4 minutes of some of the harshest bumps I've ever ridden, even Ft Bill looked smooth by comparison. There was a big field of 250 riders and with such a hard track qualifying was hard. Steve Barker managed an ace qualifying run placing him 25th but a crash in the final knocked him down to second last. I qualified 34th and finished 35th in the final, consistant if anything. The main news was that Gee Atherton won! He beat Peaty by a good 4 seconds and even Rennie was 1.5 secs back in second place!!"

Well done to Gee, one thing to note is that Gee was down at the Split by almost 2 seconds...that means he made up 3 seconds in the lower section...I guess he was just copying Steve from the week before in France. ;> The Don, Neil comes in 9th again that's a great result for him.

Kona's Tracely Mosely again makes the Podium on the downhill, behind winner Marielle Saner, Sabrina Jonnier and Vanessa Quinn (What a season Quinny is having!!). Tracey made in onto the podium again in the 4 cross after finished 3rd behind Jonnier and Beerten.

In the mens 4 cross Karim Armour won ahead of Kami Tatarkovic, yet another fast Czech, Cedric Gracia and World Champ Prokop.

Results (Split times incl)

1. 13 ATHERTON George GBR 2:47.01 3:57.79
2. 1 RENNIE Nathan AUS 2:45.76 3:58.56 +0.77
3. 10 HILL Samuel AUS 2:48.42 3:58.88 +1.09
4. 9 PEAT Steve GBR TEAM ORANGE 2:49.76 4:01.72 +3.93
5. 3 GRACIA Cedric FRA SIEMENS MOBILE CANNONDALE2:50.34 4:01.99 +4.20
6. 5 VAZQUEZ LOPEZ David ESP MAXXIS-MSC 2:52.32 4:02.59 +4.80
7. 2 PASCAL Mickael FRA MAXXIS-MSC 2:51.50 4:02.96 +5.17
8. 22 CAMELLINI Julien FRA 2:53.96 4:04.88 +7.09
9. 35 DONOGHUE Neil GBR 2:52.59 4:05.99 +8.20
10. 14 LEHIKOINEN Matti FIN 2:54.45 4:07.50 +9.71

24. 16 LONGDEN Will GBR 2:55.75 4:11.59 + 13.80
29. 42 WARNER Rob GBR 2:58.48 4:13.59 + 15.80
35. 51 BALL Chris GBR 3:01.25 4:15.46 + 17.67
39. 23 THOMSON Stuart GBR 2:59.96 4:16.19 + 18.40
42. 110 SMITH Dave GBR 2:59.06 4:17.10 + 19.31
47. 15 ATHERTON Daniel GBR 3:03.13 4:18.09 + 20.30
58. 29 WARDELL Dave GBR 3:04.90 4:21.77 + 23.98
59. 169 SORRELL Rowen GBR 3:03.24 4:21.88 + 24.09
64. 56 CROSS Ashley GBR 3:05.06 4:22.85 + 25.06
72. 46 HARGREAVES Kris GBR 2:59.17 4:25.41 + 27.62
73. 84 BEAUMONT Scott GBR 3:06.85 4:25.55 + 27.76
76. 158 MARSHALL Christopher GBR 3:09.25 4:28.46 + 30.67
81. 119 BARKER Steve GBR 3:00.78 4:45.13 + 47.34
82. 104 CRITCHLOW Daniel GBR 3:17.07 4:49.21 + 51.42

Womens Results (Split times incl)

1. 5 SANER Marielle SUI MAXXIS-MSC 3:11.68 4:30.56
2. 1 JONNIER Sabrina FRA 3:14.99 4:31.49 +0.93
3. 13 QUIN Vanessa NZL 3:13.96 4:34.14 +3.58
4. 3 MOSELEY Tracy GBR KONA CLARKS LES GETS 3:16.62 4:37.86 +7.30
5. 11 RAGOT Emmeline FRA 3:17.93 4:44.68 + 14.12
6. 7 LE CAER Nolvenn FRA 3:23.24 4:44.75 + 14.19
7. 6 GROS Celine FRA TEAM MORZINE AVORIAZ 3:22.98 4:46.60 + 16.04
8. 16 GASKELL Helen GBR 3:20.14 4:49.65 + 19.09
9. 10 SUEMASA Mio JPN 3:24.95 4:50.40 + 19.84
10. 22 BERNHARD Petra AUT 3:24.16 4:50.76 + 20.20

12. 19 CONWAY Maria GBR 3:25.37 4:51.98 + 21.42
13. 2 GRIFFITHS Fionn GBR 3:27.66 4:53.75 + 23.19
23. 27 COVENTRY Jules GBR 3:56.05 5:32.84 +1:02.28
24. 32 HORRIDGE Emily GBR 3:56.39 5:34.03 +1:03.47
25. 20 REES JONES Anja GBR 3:36.49 5:35.03 +1:04.47
28. 34 MART Jaymie GBR 4:03.81 5:41.19 +1:10.63

4X Results

Final Mens
1. AMOUR Karim FRA
2. TATARKOVIC Kamil CZE
3. GRACIA Cedric FRA SIEMENS MOBILE CANNONDALE
4. PROKOP Michal CZE

B Final
5. SALADINI Romain FRA COMMENCAL-OXBOW
6. HILL Samuel AUS
7. BEAUMONT Scott GBR
8. POLC Filip SVK

Final Womens
1. JONNIER Sabrina FRA
2. BEERTEN Anneke NED
3. MOSELEY Tracy GBR KONA CLARKS LES GETS
4. SUEMASA Mio JPN

B Final
5. GROS Celine FRA TEAM MORZINE AVORIAZ
6. GRIFFITHS Fionn GBR
7. MARGGRAFF Diana ECU ZENITH-MTB-INTERNATIONAL
8. QUIN Vanessa NZL

Downhill Points Overall after 3 Rounds

Men

1. PEAT Steve GBR TEAM ORANGE 565
2. GRACIA Cedric FRA SIEMENS MOBILE CANNONDALE 489
3. HILL Samuel AUS 475
4. ATHERTON George GBR 463
5. PASCAL Mickael FRA MAXXIS-MSC 425
6. RENNIE Nathan AUS 390
7. VAZQUEZ LOPEZ David ESP MAXXIS-MSC 276
8. BAREL Fabien FRA KONA CLARKS LES GETS 230
9. MINNAAR Greg RSA TEAM G-CROSS HONDA 217
10. CAMELLINI Julien FRA 216
11. BERCHTOLD Markolf BRA MAXXIS-MSC 187
12. VOREIS Kirt USA 182
13. DONOGHUE Neil GBR 172
14. CANALS FLIX Pascual ESP 160
15. BEAUMONT Marc GBR TEAM ORANGE 155
16. HAVUKAINEN Justin AUS 145
17. LEHIKOINEN Matti FIN 142
18. LEOV Justin NZL 142
19. SAIZ CASTANE Oscar ESP 116
20. PEDEMANAUD Fabien FRA 112
21. KLAUSMANN Marcus GER GHOST INTERNATIONAL RACIN 111
22. GUARDIA PASCUAL Bernat ESP COMMENCAL-OXBOW 88
23. VAGNER Adam CZE 88
24. LONGDEN Will GBR 87
25. BARELLI Yoann FRA 84
26. CALUORI Claudio SUI BE ONE / MADHOUSE 78
27. SKOLINS Zigs LAT 78
28. ADAMS Dustin CAN 76
29. GEORGES Pierre Charles FRA 74
30. WARNER Rob GBR 69

Women

1. JONNIER Sabrina FRA 557
2. SANER Marielle SUI MAXXIS-MSC 507
3. MOSELEY Tracy GBR KONA CLARKS LES GETS 465
4. CHAUSSON Anne-Caroline FRA COMMENCAL-OXBOW 460
5. QUIN Vanessa NZL 406
6. GROS Celine FRA TEAM MORZINE AVORIAZ 405
7. GASKELL Helen GBR 372
8. LE CAER Nolvenn FRA 258
9. SUEMASA Mio JPN 253
10. MOLCIK Anita AUT ARBÖ RSP DOWNHILL RACING 218
11. RAGOT Emmeline FRA 216
12. GRIFFITHS Fionn GBR 205
13. BEERTEN Anneke NED 192
14. CONWAY Maria GBR 180
15. THEVOZ Amelie SUI 178
16. MARGGRAFF Diana ECU ZENITH-MTB-INTERNATIONAL 164
17. BERNHARD Petra AUT 145
18. REES JONES Anja GBR 136
19. ATHERTON Rachel GBR 120
20. FRUHWIRTH Helene AUT 3101
21. THALER Michaela ITA 92
22. BLAS Miriam ESP 89
23. SISKOVA Katarina SVK 70
24. COVENTRY Jules GBR 66
25. REUSSER Pascaline SUI 52
26. JANEIRO Violeta ESP 46
27. SHER Lisa USA 43
28. MOLOGNI Sara ITA 40
29. BALLENTINE Karen GBR 40
30. WALKER Sandra SUI 37