Hi Everyone,
It's Santa Cruz Race Manager Kathy Sessler checking in with the latest from Livigno, Italy.
Frenchman Julien Camellini (Commencal Oxbow) was the last place qualifier and he was the first man down the hill. He enjoyed the hotseat until reigning World Champ, Fabien Barel, smashed his split time by 4.48, finishing in 3:54:77 and taking the lead. There were 33 riders left to come and no one came close to Barel until Steve Peat, who was +0.64 at the split. Peat made a few dabs and finished with a 3:58:14, for fourth. Sam Hill, fastest qualifier, was the challenger for Barel. Hill was on Barel with -0:42 at the split. Flying down the course Hill overcooked a turn and although he managed to stay on course, it cost him time. Hill just misses out at 0.77 back, taking the silver medal. Minnaar earns bronze with a time of 3:57:79, 3.02 back.
Santa Cruz Syndicate's Nathan Rennie (Aus) was having a flawless run until his front wheel washed out, just before the bridge near the end of the course. It caused him to crash into the bridge and go over the bars, catching his arm on the rail. He continued on and said he was okay, but was emotionally upset. His finish time was 4:15:76. He ended up 46th at 20.99.
Andrew Neethling, from South Africa, suffered a rear flat. Showing great sportsmanship he aired out the jumps and even shook hands with some spectators in the tree section.
Anne Caroline Chausson wins her 9th elite world championship downhill title! Sabrina Jonnier was in the hotseat as Anne-Caro came speeding down the mountain. She could not see that Chausson had slid out and had caused herself a major time disadvantage getting back on the bike. Even the announcers thought that Anne would not even make the podium. She astounded everyone, and disappointed Jonnier, as she continued on with a perfect run. Anne-Caro blitzes across the finish with a time of 4:27:34, just .37 faster than
Jonnier. Making it a French sweep, Emmeline Ragot earns the bronze medal and former world champion Vanessa Quin finishes fourth. Fastest American was
Santa Cruz rider Kathy Pruitt in 7th place, 12.26 seconds back.
JUNIOR HEARTBREAK
One of the bigger disappointments for the U.S. team came when race favorite Kyle Strait crashed his way off the podium. This is Kyle's last race as a junior.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DOWNHILL RESULTS
1. Fabien Barel (Fra)...Kona Les Gets...3:54.77...27.2 mph average
2. Samuel Hill (Aus)...Iron Horse-Mad Catz...at 0.77
3. Greg Minnaar (RSA)...G-Cross Honda...3.02
4. Steve Peat (GBr)...Orange...3.37
5. Gee Atherton (GBr)...Animal Giant...7.21
6. Karim Amour (Fra)...7.82
7. Bryn Atkinson (Aus)...GT-Hyundai...8.47
8. Cedric Gracia (Fra)...Siemens Cannondale...8.74
9. Nathan Rankin (NZl)...Foes...8.84
10. Marc Beaumont (GBr)...8.85
19. Cody Warren...Haro...12.69
32. David Klaassen Van Oorschot...KHS...17.05
45. Curtis Keene...WTB-Fox Shox...20.74
48. Geritt Beytagh...Morewood...21.45
49. Chris Van Dine...Goride...at 21.58
WOMEN
1. Anne Caroline Chausson (Fra)...Commencal Oxbow...4.27.34...23.9 mph
2. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra)...Intense...at 0.37
3. Emmeline Ragot (Fra)...Qbikes Les Sybelles...4.18
4. Vanessa Quin (NZl)...Intense...8.64
5. Marielle Saner (Swi)...Maxxis-MSC...11.37
6. Tracy Moseley (GBr)...Kona Les Gets...11.97
7. Kathleen Pruitt...Luna Chix...12.26
8. Helen Gaskell (GBr)...12.76
9. Celine Gros (Fra)...Morzine Avoriaz...13.93
10. Nolvenn Le Caer (Fra)...at 18.81
JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DH RESULTS
1. Amiel Cavalier (Aus)...4.05.79...25.9 mph
2. Brendan Fairclough (GBr)..at 1.36
3. Liam Panozzo (Aus)...5.54
11. Kyle Strait...Specialized...13.86
17. Travis Bond...17.69
33. Brendon Newton...28.95
50. Kyle Adams...45.92
WOMEN
1. Rachel Atherton (GBr)...4.39.67
2. Scarlett Hagen (NZl)...4.49.03
3. Micayla Gatto (Can)...5.11.27 |