By Eddie Arnet
Like Greg Minnaar did for Honda in the World Cup Downhill, both Christoph
Sauser and Gunn-Rita Dahle have earned enough points to secure the World Cup
Cross-Country title with one round remaining. (Minnaar won his series with
two rounds remaining!)
The only possible threat to Sauser's title, Jose Antonio Hermida (Multivan
Merida), was a no-show. Hermida has stopped contesting the World Cups in
favor of going after the Spanish National Championships.
All hail the great Ned. Overend was one of the top US finisher at the Angel Fire World Cup Cross Country race. That says a lot about 50-years young Ned?and makes us wonder what the guys who are half his age are eating that makes them so slow?
STANDOUTS
Check out top American Michael Broderick's 13th place finish. Traveling the world with girlfriend Mary McConneloug hasn't only helped Mary, but the hunt for Olympic qualifying points has helped Michael big time. The other half of the Seven-Kenda team has moved beyond World Cup contender to World Cup threat.
Deadly Nedly. What else can you say? Still in the hunt after 103 years of
racing, Ned finished 6th American while beating 31 of our best and much
younger compatriots. (As well as 14 Euros.) Ned is actually 50-years old (in
reverse).
Angel Fire was claimed to be Alison Dunlap's official farewell to World Cup
competition. Don't think that means you won't ever see Alison race again. There are still plenty of NORBA and U.S. cyclocross events to keep the multi-champ clipped in for a while longer.
Sewing up the title: Gunn-Rita-Dahle took the top spot in New Mexico and stitched up the overall World Cup Cross-Country honors as well.
ANGEL FIRE XC RESULTS
1. Christoph Sauser (Swi)...Siemens Cannondale...2:07:48
2. Geoff Kabush (Can)...Maxxis...2:08:06
3. Erwin Bakker (Ned)...Heijdens-Ten Tusscher...2:08:58
4. Kashi Leuchs (NZl)...Bianchi Agos...2:11:34
5. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski...Subaru-Gary Fisher...2:11:46
6. Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe)...Siemens Cannondale...2:13:02
7. Michael Weiss (Aut)...2:15:04
8. Seamus McGrath (Can)...Haro-Adidas...2:16:13
9. Marti Gispert Labarta (Spn)...Maxxis-MSC...2:16:54
10. Milan Spesny (Cze)...2:18:09
13. Michael Broderick...Seven-Kenda...2:19:59
15. Jay Henry...2:20:20
16. Adam Craig...Giant...2:21:02
17. Sam Schultz...U.S. National...2:21:16
18. Ned Overend...Specialized...2:21:42
WOMEN
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle (Nor)...Multivan Merida...1:54:13
2. Marie-Helene Premont (Can)...Rky Mtn-Biz Obj...1:55:30
3. Sabine Spitz (Ger)...Specialized...1:58:45
4. Shonny Vanlandingham...Luna Chix...1:59:06
5. Alison Dunlap...Luna Chix...2:00:04
6. Mary McConneloug...Seven-Kenda...2:00:08
7. Willow Koerber...Subaru-Gary Fisher 2:00:10
8. Ivonne Kraft (Ger)...2:02:40
9. Kiara Bisaro...Gearsracing...2:02:51
10. Dara Marks-Marino...Ford-Specialized...2:03:30
Marie-Helene Premont, the fiery Canadian, was the only woman who could put a wheel in front of Gunn Rita this season. Helen bagged the second-overall World Cup spot and the silver at Angel Fire.
WORLD CUP XC STANDINGS AFTER 7 0F 8 ROUNDS
1. Christoph Sauser (Swi)...Siemens Cannondale...1270 points
2. Jose Hermida Ramos (Spa)...Multivan Merida...935
3. Roel Paulissen (Bel)...Giant...845
4. Julien Absalon (Fra)...Bianchi Agos...729
5. Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe)...Siemens Cannondale...682
6. Marco Bui (Ita)...Dynamix...635
7. Adam Craig (USA)...Giant...572
8. Erwin Bakker (Ned)...Heijdens-Ten Tusscher...523
9. Liam Killeen (GBr)...Specialized...502
10. Ralph Naef (Swi)...Multivan Merida...448
WOMEN
1 Gunn-Rita Dahle (Nor)...Multivan Merida...1650 points
2 Sabine Spitz (Ger)...Specialized...1260
3 Marie-Helene Premont (Can)...Rocky Mountain...1220
4 Irina Kalentieva (Rus)...Multivan Merida...735
5 Mary McConneloug (USA)...Seven-Kenda...660
6 Ivonne Kraft (Ger)...535
7 Lene Byberg (Nor)...Multivan Merida...522
8 Kiara Bisaro (Can)...Gearsracing...426
9 Maja Wsoszczowska (Pol)...Lotto...380
10 Kelli Emett (USA)...Ford-Specialized...312
Christoph Sauser rides alone. The Cannondale Siemens pro locked up his overall series title and broke the field on his way to victory at this country?s World Cup.
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