The Commonwealth Games takes place once every four years and is a multi-sport contest between the nations associated with the British Empire. They are just like the Pan Am Games, a once-every-four-year contest between the continents of the Americas. Both are mini Olympics of sorts, and follow a similar format.
This year the Commonwealth Games took place in Melbourne, Australia, with the mountain bike competition bringing up the near end of the program. Heading in the two riders to beat were seen to be multi Norba Champ Geoff Kabush and Olympic Silver Medalist Marie-Helene Premont. But it wasn't as easy as that. While the layout of the simpleton, 3-3/4 mile course was overly easy, the Australian Outback wasn't as kind. Snakes and scorpions were slithering everywhere, with an occasional kangaroo jumping across the course during a race.
While Premont missed the kangaroo and went on to totally dominate the women's field, Geoff Kabush barely finished. Hot off a dominant win at the warmup Oceania Championships earlier in the month, Kabush reportedly fell ill and had a very off day. Britain's Liam Killeen took advantage of Geoff's absence, and turned the opportunity into the biggest win of his career.
Both Liam Killeen and Marie-Helene Premont are fit and riding very well. Mark these two. Let's see if this big win will turn Premont into a consistent World Champ beater (Twice at last year's World Cups she beat current champ Gunn-Rita Dahle.) For Killeen, this could be the win that will push him over the top. After all, Liam is a two-time Under 23 World Champ, so he knows what it takes.
2006 COMMONWEALTH GAMES RESULTS
1. Liam Killeen (GBr)...2:13:11
2. Oli Beckingsale (GBr)...at 0.15
3. Seamus Patrick McGrath (Can)...0:32
4. Chris Jongewaard (Aus)...1:57
5. Kashi Leuchs (NZl)...2:18
6. Sid Taberlay (Aus)...4:07
7. Joshua Fleming (Aus)...7:03
8. Mike Northcott (NZl)...8:00
9. Mannie Heymans (Nam)...8:21
10. Burry Willie Stander (RSA)...8:48
11. Geoff Kabush (Can)...10:33
WOMEN
1. Marie-Helene Premont (Can)...1:55:04
2. Rosara Joseph (NZl)...at 1:27
3. Kiara Bisaro (Can)...2:55
4. Amy Hunt (GBr)...6:29
5. Dellys Starr (Aus)...7:08
6. Robyn Wong (NZl)...7:32
7. Emma Colson (Aus)...11:03
8. Sonia Foote (NZl)...14:28
9. Myra Moller (Cook Isl)...16:29
10. Ruth McGavigan (Sco)...18:43
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