Vallnord, Andorra; Downhill WC #2
uci.ch
The Atherton family couldn't have imagined a better World Cup. After Dan's victory in the 4-Cross, siblings Gee and Rachel asserted themselves today in the downhill. It is a family first in the history of the World Cup. To sweeten the Atherton pie, Rachel also took the opportunity to take the lead in the overall World Cup rankings.
In the morning's qualifications it appeared clear from the outset that Rachel was giving her "friends" a hard time. The Brit was almost fourteen seconds ahead of Sabrina Jonnier. Even if the current World Champion admitted "having made a few mistakes," Sabrina knew it would be hard to make up a quarter of a minute on Rachel. After only two rounds of the World Cup, it appears that the duel between the two girls has just begun.
The final went no different for the young 21-year-old British rider. Rachel easily won her third World Cup race. And not to do things by halves, she is now the overall leader for the first time in her young career. "It's incredible, I'm so happy. I did a really good job and winning here in Andorra, at our Commençal sponsor's place is just amazing". Jonnier replied, "I'd rather be a hunter than game". Floriane Pugin finished third, Tracy Moseley fourth and Emmeline Ragot fifth.
The day could have stopped there for the Athertons. But Gee also had his say. Winner of the morning's qualification rounds, he intended to put an end to World Champ Sam Hill's supremacy. However, when Gee left in the second-to-last position it at first didn't appear that Sam's win streak would finish here. At the intermediate split, the youngest Atherton was down by a few hundredths of a second. He then gave it his all and crossed the finish line 31 hundredths ahead of Hill. Gee did it! Greg Minnaar was third, followed by Steve Peat and Sam Blenkinsop.
Three Atherton riders signed up to race this weekend. All three of them won. History has been made. The Nissan Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano will continue next week at Fort William (Scotland).
DOWNHILL RESULTS
1. GEE ATHERTON (GBR)...ANIMAL COMMENCAL...2:35.35
2. SAM HILL (AUS)... MONSTER-IRONHORSE...2:35.66
3. GREG MINNAAR (RSA)...SANTA CRUZ SYND...2:36.73
4. STEVE PEAT (GBR)...SANTA CRUZ SYND...2:37.49
5. SAMUEL BLENKINSOP (NZL)...YETI FOX SHOX...2:38.71
6. CHRIS KOVARIK (AUS)...CHAIN REACTION INTENSE...2:39.18
7. FABIEN BAREL (FRA)...SUBARU...2:39.21
8. FABIEN PEDEMANAUD (FRA)...PYRENEES MOREWOOD...2:41.42
9. MATTI LEHIKOINEN (FIN)...MS-INTENSE...2:41.65
10. STEVE SMITH (CAN)...2:42.00
29. DUNCAN RIFFLE (USA)...CANNONDALE...2:46.57
40. CODY WARREN (USA)...2:48.61
64. JOHN SWANGUEN (USA)...MS-INTENSE...2:55.39
67. COLE BANGERT (USA)...SPECIALIZED...2:56.01
68. KYLE STRAIT (USA)...SPECIALIZED...2:56.25
WOMEN
1. RACHEL ATHERTON (GBR)...ANIMAL COMMENCAL...2:55.30
2. SABRINA JONNIER (FRA)...MAXXIS...3:03.77
3. FLORIANE PUGIN (FRA)...PLAYBIKER-IRONHORSE...3:07.11
4. TRACY MOSELEY (GBR)...KONA...3:10.41
5. EMMELINE RAGOT (FRA)...SUSPENSION CNTR...3:11.11
6. FIONN GRIFFITHS (GBR)...NORCO...3:19.68
7. CELINE GROS (FRA)...SOLID ACLASS...3:20.72
8. EMILIE SIEGENTHALER (SWI)...SUSPENSION CNTR...3:25.11
9. MELISSA BUHL (USA)...KHS...3:28.61
10. DIANA MARGGRAFF (ECU)...3:28.91
18. KATHLEEN PRUITT (USA)...3:37.72