WORLD CUP FINAL GOES DOWN DURING RAINSEPT 16
WORLD CUP FINAL GOES DOWN DURING RAINSEPT 16
Kaprun, Austria was the famous site of what began as the worst World Cup Series ending. The four cross were cancelled due to rain for weeks. We lost the Telluride race, then the World Cup 4-Cross final. It seemed like the end of a year of racing that had seen many ups and downs.
The truth is, the Kaprun 4-Cross would be nothing more than a formality. Eric Carter, an American Mongoose/Hyundai rider, and Katrina Miller from Australia were in command of the points and had been announced as the World Cup champions.
MORE 4CROSS THEATER
Perhaps it was a good thing. Kaprun 4-Cross was poorly designed and not finished. It took only four races to win what was originally a six-race series. The riders were not left disappointed as many were still riding from the Swiss World Championships. The cancellation of the final World Cup is not a significant loss, if you look at the bigger picture. The silliness didn’t stop. Eric Carter, World Cup Champion Eric Carter, couldn’t leave Kaprun without giving fans something to talk. He raced down the course wearing his underwear, giving the crowd a spectacle.
THE DEEP HILL STEALS THE SHOW
It was not over for World Cup Downhill supremacy. It was actually one of the most close points battles ever. Cedric Gracia, Nathan Rennie, and Mickael Patric were separated by just 13 points. It was nearly as close in the women’s race, with Tracy Moseley just 14 points behind Fionn Griffiths. Sabrina Jonnier was 27 points behind, but still had a chance. The race for the overall was alive and well, with 250 points being possible for top qualifying times and wins in the final. The rain added drama. Rider skill was tested on the muddy, slippery, and off-cambered course. Although it required a lot of power to navigate, only the most determined riders were able to breathe in enough air to make it worth their while. Because a mouthful of soupy, cow-manure-soaked soil doesn’t sound all that appealing. The contenders understood that winning in Kaprun would require a lot of effort, regardless how delicious the soupy soil might be.
THE PERFECT SWEEP
Like the 4-Cross race, half the World Cup Cross Country was already won. There was still an historic moment to be had, to win a sweep of a series. With Gunn-Rita Dahle winning the Kapruns Womens XC Norways Gunn Dahle made it a flawless World Cup, going five for five. Dahle would be remembered as the greatest mountain biker of all time if she had won the World Championship last Wednesday. This distinction is still held by Juli Furtado.
The men’s race was not decided. Frances Julien Absalon finished 65 points ahead Switzerland’s Christoph Sauser. Absalon could not finish worse than Sauser to secure the win.
DECIDING THE UNDERCIDED
The downhill racing was what really rocked the World Cup. Frances Mickael Pascal and Cedric Garcia were tied in points overall, with Nathan Rennie just five points behind. Rennie finished third behind Greg Minnaar, the new South African World Champion, and Spain’s Vasquez Lopez Lopez.
After qualifying, the race for women’s downhill was tighter. Great Britain’s Tracy Moseley was only one point ahead of Countrywoman Fionn Griffiths, and Frances Sabrina Jonnier in the final. American Marla Streb won the race with a stunning seven second win. Jonnier placed second in the overall war.
Filip Meirhaeghe won XC to prove last week’s World Championship wasn’t a fluke. World Marathon Champion Thomas Frischknecht rode an outstanding race. He rose from seventh to second and bridged the gap between Absalon, Sauser and Paulissen for second. Absalon remained in touch with Sauser while Frischknecht rode in alone for second. Absalon continued to motor away, proving that he was worthy for the World Cup crown.
TEAM AMERICA
Eric Carter is still available to us, even if Brian Lopes is not there. Marla Streb from Luna Chix, who came in fourth in the overall downhill standings, is next in line. Gary Houseman finished 19th as the top downhill rider. Jeremy Horgan Kobelski, National XC Champion, finished 15th overall. This was the highest American XC finish. Trek-Volkswagen’s Susan Haywood placed tenth in the women’s XC category. Due to injuries, Maxxis rider April Lawyer was not able to race the downhill. Luna Chixs Kathy Pruitt was also unable to do so due her injury.
KAPRUNXC RESULTS
1. Filip Meirhaeghe, Bel)Specialized 2. Thomas Frischknecht (Swi)Swiss Powerat 3. Julien Absalon (Fra)Motorex Bianchiat 4. Christoph Sauser (Swi), Siemens Mobile Cannondaleat 5. Roel Paulissen (Bel) Siemens Mobile Cannondaleat 6. Cedric Ravanel (Fra) Club Deportivo Orbeaat 7. Jose Antonio Hermida (Spn) Motorex Bianchiat 8. Jean-Christophe Peraud, (Fra), at 9. Ralph Naef (Swi) Merida Internationalat 10. Bart Brentjens (Ned), Team T-Mobileat 23, Adam CraigGiant-Pearl Izumiat 1 42. Jeremy Horgan-KobelskiRLX-Ralph Laurenat 1 52. Jeremiah BishopTrek-Volkswagenat -1 lap
54. Nick WaiteTeam West Virginiaat -1 lap
69. Barry WicksKona Clarks Factory Teamat 1 lap
75. Michael BroderickSeven Cyclesat -2 laps
84. Carl DeckerGiant-Pearl Izumiat -2 laps
95. Carl SwensonRLX-Ralph Laurenat -2 laps
World Cup overall
1. Julien Absalon930 points
2. Christoph Sauser845
3. Filip Meirhaeghe693
4. Jose Antonio Hermida650
5. Roel Paulissen640
6. Lado Fumic (Ger)Team-T-Mobile532
7. Roland Green (Can.)Trek–Volkswagen Racing Team379
8. Bart Brentjens360
9. Marek Galinski (Pol)Club Deportivo Orbea352
10. Thomas Frischknecht334
15. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski265
24. Todd WellsMongoose-Hyundai215
30. Adam Craig167
58. Jeremiah Bishop91
62. Carl Decker88
63. Barry Wicks76
82. Jimi Mortenson48
88. Michael Broderick42
89. Frank Mapel42
92. Jay Henry41
120. Nick Waite22
126. Carl Swenson20
KAPRUNXC WOMEN RESULT
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle, Nor)Merida International 2. Sabine Spitz (Ger)Merida Internationalat 3. Marie-Helene Premont, (Can)Oryxat 4. Irina Kalentieva (Rus)Merida Internationalat 5. Nina Gohl (Ger)at 6. Anna Szafraniec (Pol)Lotto-PZU S.A.at 7. Elsbeth Van-Rooy-Vink, (Ned), at 8.
Petra Henzi (Swi)at 9. Maja Wloszczowska (Pol)at 10. Marga Fullana (Spa)Orbeaat 15. Mary McConnelougSeven cyclesat 1 17. Willow Koerberat 1 20. Susan HaywoodTrek-Volkswagenat 1 29. Dara Marksat 1 30. Shonny VanlandinghamLuna Chixat 1 World Cup:
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle1250 points
2. Sabine Spitz875
3. Irina Kalentieva715
4. Marie-Helene Premont584
5. Barbara Blatter (Swi)Specialized510
6. Anna Szafraniec.466
7. Alison Sydor (Can)Trek-Volkswagen458
8. Maja Wlosczowska.432
9. Ivonne Kraft (Ger)400
10. Susan Haywood380
26. Willow Koerber203
27. Mary McConneloug195
33. Gretchen Reeves158
36. Shonny Vanlandingham149
44. Alison DunlapLuna Chix126
48. Dara Marks99
56. Kelli Emmett71
63. Kerry Barnholt62
79. Lea Davison37
96. Kimberly Anderson27
KAPRUN-DOWNHILL RESULTS
1. David Vazquez Lopez (Spa)Msc Bikes 2. Greg Minnaar (RSA)Haro-Lee Dungareesat 1.43
3. Nathan Rennie (Aus)Mad Catz-Iron Horseat 1.82
4. Michal Marosi, Cze (at 2.24
5. Fabien Barel (Fra)Kona Clarksat 4.41
6. Cedric Gracia (Fra),Siemens Mobile Cannondaleat 4.98
7. Mickael Pascal (Fra).Maxxis-Mscat 5.52
8. George Atherton (GBr), at 6.98
9. Bernat Guardia Pascual (Spa)at 7.09
10. Mickael Deldycke, (Fra), at 8.20
22. Eric Carter (USA), at 15.34
World Cup:
1. Nathan Rennie701 Points
2. Cedric Gracia661
3. Mickael Pascal656
4. Greg Minnaar640
5. David Vazquez Lopez492
6. Christopher Kovarik (Aus)464
7. Fabien Barel441
8. Ivan Oulego Moreno (Spa)336
9. Steve Peat (GB)Orange332
10. Samuel Hill (Aust)302
19. Gary HousemanITS Santa Cruz200
23. Colin Bailey165
26. Kirt Voreis140
31. Eric CarterMongoose-Hyundai123
32. Rich HousemanITS-Santa Cruz120
45. Henry O Donnell81
51. David Klaassen Van OorschotIntense64
53. Robin Baloochi57
57. Curtis Keene52
68. Kyle Strait38
74. Chris ODriscoll32
102. Bernie Fredrick13
104. Shaums March12
124. Chris Del Bosco3
129. Todd Bosch2
KAPRUN WOMEN DOWNHILL RESULTS
1. Marla StrebLuna Chix 2. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra)Intense-Foxat 6.63
3. Fionn Griffiths (GBr.Foes – Azonicat 8.42
4. Vanessa Quin (Nzl)Intenseat 19.90
5. Celine Gros (Fra)Team Morzine Avoriazat 22.09
6. Tracy Moseley (GBr)..Kona-Clarks.at 23.46
7. Marielle Saner (Swi)at 23.67
8. Bernardita Pizarro (Chi)at 29.56
9. Emmeline Ragot, (Fra), at 29.60
10. Helen Gaskell (GBr)at 32.63
World Cup:
1. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra)834 pts
2. Fionn Griffiths (GBr)814
3. Tracy Moseley (GBr.770) 4. Marla StrebLuna Chix757
5. Marielle Saner (Swi)548
6. Celine Gros (Fra)527
7. Nolvenn Le Caer (Fra)502
8. Bernardita Pizarro (Chi)441
9. Kathy PruittLuna Chix417
10. Mio Suemasa (Jpn)Trek-Volkswagen415
24. Missy Giove121
29. Melissa Buhl75
33. Lisa Sher66
44. Holly Kuhn32
FINAL WORLDCUP 4-CROSS STANDINGS
1. Eric CarterMongoose-Hyundai180 points
2. Michal Prokop (CzeAuthor116)
3. Mike KingHaro-Lee Dungarees79
4. Wade Bootes (Aus)Trek-Volkswagen77
5. Cedric Gracia (Fra),Siemens Mobile Cannondale75
6. Greg Minnaar (RSA)Haro-Lee Dungarees55
7. Brian SchmithMongoose-Hyundai47
8. Scott Beaumont45
9. Steve Peat (GBr)Orange41
10. Sascha Meyenborg (Ger)39
Women:
1. Katrina Miller (Aus)Jamis190 points
2. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra)Intense95
3. Mio Suemasa (Jpn)Trek-Volkswagen74
4. Jamie Lilly
5. Tracy MoseleyKona Clarks50
6. Anneke Beerten (Ned)Be One46
7. Tai-Lee Muxlo, (Aus)Tioga–Orange40
Jill KintnerStaats40
Tara LlanesGiant-Pearl Izumi40
10.Celine Gros (Fra)Morzine Avoriaz30
