The Air Downhill
took over the Whistler Mountain Bike Park with over 344 competitors
ripping down the famous DH course, A-Line. Brian Lopes was dethroned
from his reign as king with South Africa’s Andrew Neethling taking over
top spot ending Lopes’ streak of five wins in a row, scoring the fastest
time of the day at 4:13.34.
The Air DH course
runs the entire length of A-Line, finishing at the base of the Whistler
Mountain Bike Park with the infamous GLC Drop. A-Line's DH course
harbors nearly 50 jumps on course.
“Although the
cold weather wasn’t ideal for the fans, the course couldn’t have been in
better condition.” said Tristan Merrick, event announcer. “The course
conditions were pretty tacky. A lot of the riders felt like their bikes
were on rails.”
“I had a really
clean awesome run,” said Andrew Neethling, winner of the pro men
category. “Compliments to Lopes, I just put together a great run.”
Andrew Neethling,
claimed first with a time of 4:13.34; Brian Lopes took second place
with a time of 4:14.28; Mick Hannah, took third place with a time of
4:17.22.
In the Pro Women
category, Anne Caroline Chausson, claimed first with a time of 4:33.16;
Jill Kintner took second place with a time of 4:40.98; Sarah Leishman
took third place with a time of 4:42.48.
Pro Men
1. Neethling Andrew RSA Giant Factory 4:13.34 +0.00
2. Lopes Brian USA Ibis 4:14.28 +0.94
3. Hannah Mick AUS GT Bicycles 4:17.22 +3.88
4. Gutierrez Villegas Marcel COL CG Racing Brigade 4:18.15 +4.81
5. Smith Steve CAN Devinci 4:18.20 +4.86
6. Morrison Ian CAN 4:18.24 +4.90
7. Riffle Duncan USA Giant Factory 4:18.80 +5.46
8. Keene Curtis USA Specialized 4:19.23 +5.89
9. Jarrin Mario ECU Zenith bicycles 4:19.55 +6.21
10. Kovarik Chris AUS Kovarik Racing 4:19.78 +6.44
Pro Women
1. Chausson Anne Caroline FRA Ibis 4:33.16 +0.00
2. Kintner Jill USA Transition Racing 4:40.98 +7.82
3. Leishman Sarah CAN WMBP Race Team 4:42.48 +9.32
4. Brown Casey CAN Bern 4:43.41 +10.25
5. Buchar Claire CAN Kovarik Racing 4:46.29 +13.13
6. Donovan Leigh USA Intense Cycles 4:46.75 +13.59
7. Smith Cierra USA Specialized 4:48.50 +15.34
8. Strand Katrina CAN WMBP Race Team 4:48.54 +15.38
9. Nychka Stephanie CAN 4:53.35 +20.19
10. Mason Lisa CAN 4:56.55 +23.39
Tomorrow is a
huge day at Kokanee Crankworx with the Joyride Qualifiers followed by
the Best Trick Showdown, then the action will move up the mountain to
the Ultimate Pump Track Challenge.