It was too ironic that one of the most pivotal Olympic selection World Cup events was to take place at the same site as the 1988 Winter Olympics. Calgary played host to the cross country that saw Mary McConneloug all but stamp her name as the sole women mountain bike Olympian. McConneloug's impressive charge towards the front proved that she is currently the most competitive women on U.S. soil. Even Alison Dunlap has conceded to the fact, saying that her Olympic dream is over.
By taking her tenth World Cup in ten tries, Gunn-Rita Dahle has won the World Cup Series Championship with one round remaining. The battle between World Champion Filip Meirhaeghe and Olympic bronze medalist Christoph Sauser will be decided in two months at the Livigno, Italy World Cup finale. Oh, and if you're wondering what happened to not defending NORBA Champion Ryder Hesjedal and dual World Champion Roland Green, they both pulled out of the race citing that they were not feeling well.
FOURCROSS
The weekend started with the fifth World Cup Fourcross of the year. It was also the only event to go off in relatively dry conditions. It rained that night, stopped for the Women's XC, and then starting hailing hard midway through the men's race. It continued to rain throughout the night, turning Sunday's downhill into a mud fest.
By winning their fourcross mains both Michal Prokop and Sabrina Jonnier have mathematically wrapped up their respective 2004 World Cup overall titles. It was big news, but not as big as Brian Lopes' highly anticipated return to racing. After four months away from the circuit, Brain's semi winning fifth place marks a successful comeback. Expect a lot more.
DOWNHILL
The fourth and final title clinching ride was put in by 2002 World Cup Downhill Champion Steve Peat. A third place finish was all Steve needed to cinch this year's title. Sabrina Jonnier, Celine Gros and Tracy Moseley will decide the women's title in Italy.
CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS
1. Filip Meirhaeghe (Bel)...Specialized...26 miles in 2.10.35
2. Christoph Sauser (Swi)...Siemens Mobile Cannondale...at 3.28
3. Jose Antonio Hermida (Spa)...Multivan Merida...4.44
4. Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra)...Lapierre International...4.51
5. Ludovic Dubau (Fra)...5.02
6. Roel Paulissen (Bel)...Siemens Mobile Cannondale...6.00
7. Seamus Mcgrath (Can)...Haro-Adidas...6.19
8. Liam Killeen (GBr)...Subaru-Gary Fisher...6.23
9. Jeremiah Bishop...Trek-Volkswagen...7.13
10. Todd Wells...GT-Hyundai...8.32
11. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski...RLX Ralph Lauren...9.45
19. Adam Craig...Giant-Pearl Izumi...13.58
26. Michael Broderick...17.59
28. Ryan Trebon...Kona Clarks Les Gets...19.52
29. Barry Wicks...Kona Clarks Les Gets...20.46
31. Nick Waite...U23 National...25.15
33. Carl Decker...Giant-Pearl Izumi...-1 lap
36. Carl Swenson...RLX Ralph Lauren...-2 laps
40. John Devine...U23 National...-2
43. Sam Schultz...U23 National...-3 laps
48. Jay Henry...Specialized...-3
50. Alan Obye...U23 National...-3
52. Frank Mapel...Specialized...-3
74. Clint Muhlfeld...-3
DNF Andy Schultz
Women
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle (Nor)...Multivan Merida...18.7 miles in 1.46.28
2. Mary McConneloug...Seven Cycles...at 0.46
3. Annabella Stropparo (Ita)...Olympus...2.20
4. Marie-Helene Premont (Can)...Rky Mnt-Business Objects...3.02
5. Ivonne Kraft (Ger)...Ghost International...3.33
6. Elena Giacomuzzi (Ita)...3.57
7. Alison Dunlap...Luna Chix...4.25
8. Alison Sydor (Can)...Rky Mnt-Business Objects...4.38
9. Shonny Vanlandingham...Luna Chix...4.55
10. Willow Koerber...RLX Ralph Lauren...5.05
13. Kelli Emmett...Specialized...7.55
15. Susan Haywood...Trek-Volkswagen...8.53
17. Dara Marks-Marino...Ford Cycling...9.45
18. Kerry Barnholt...Subaru-Gary Fisher...10.20
19. Heather Irmiger...Tokyo Joe's...11.05
26. Kathy Sherwin...Cannondale...21.11
FOURCROSS RESULTS
1. Michal Prokop (Cze)...Author
2. Roger Rinderknecht (Swi)
3. Eric Carter...Mongoose-Hyundai
4. Wade Bootes (Aus)...Trek-Volkswagen
5. Brian Lopes...GT-Hyundai
6. Brian Schmith...Mongoose-Hyundai
7. Bas De Bever (Ned)...Be One-Madhouse
8. Nathan Rennie (Aus)...Santa Cruz Syndicate
11. Chris Powell...Specialized
15. Kyle Strait...Specialized
18. Cameron Zink...Santa Cruz
20. Cody Warren...Haro-Adidas
22. Colin Bailey...Maxxis
24. Chris Vandine
28. Robin Baloochi
31. Travis Collins
34. Mike King...Haro-Adidas
35. Henry O'Donnell...Santa Cruz
36. Karl Rogne
Women
1. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra)...Intense
2. Jill Kinter...Yeti-RPM
3. Tara Llanes...Giant-pearl Izumi
4. Celine Gros (Fra)...Morzine Avoriaz
5. Katrina Miller (Aus)...Jamis
6. Anneke Beerten (Ned)...Specialized
7. Vanessa Quin (NZl)
8. Marla Streb...Luna Chix
10. Lisa Sher...Chumba Wumba
14. April Lawyer...Maxxis-Puma
15. Kathy Pruitt...Luna Chix
DOWNHILL RESULTS
1. David Vazquez Lopez (Spa)...Maxxis-MSC...2.24.78
2. Markolf Berchtold (Bra)...Maxxis-MSC...2.25.91
3. Steve Peat (GBr)...Team Orange...2.26.72
4. Mickael Pascal (Fra)...Maxxis-MSC...2.26.99
5. Colin Bailey...Maxxis...2.27.40
6. John Kirkcaldie (Nzl)...Maxxis...2.27.81
7. Nathan Rennie (Aus)...Santa Cruz Syndicate...2.27.97
8. Guido Tschugg (Ger)...Fusion MTB Pro Racing Team...2.28.16
9. Matti Lehikoinen (Fin)...2.28.61
10. Greg Minnaar (RSA)...Team G-Cross Honda...2.28.81
11. Judd Devall...2.29.15
16. Chris Vandine...2.30.21
19. Duncan Riffle...2.30.71
26. Robin Baloochi...2.32.00
31. Karl Rogne...2.32.75
32. Cody Warren...Haro-Adidas...2.32.98
34. Miles Mead...2.33.45
41. Kyle Strait...Specialized...2.34.22
42. Curtis Keene...2.34.64
48. Kirt Voreis...Santa Cruz Sydicate...2.36.19
54. Steve Wentz...2.38.77
60. Henry O'Donnell...Santa Cruz...2.39.91
74. Cameron Zink...Santa Cruz...3.02.11
Women
1. Celine Gros (Fra)...Team Morzine Avoriaz...2.39.55
2. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra)...Intense...2.40.92
3. Tracy Moseley (GBr)...Kona Clarks Les Gets...2.43.11
4. Kathy Pruitt...Luna Chix...2.43.87
5. Rachel Atherton (GBr)...Muddy Fox...2.45.28
6. Marla Streb (USA)...Luna Chix...2.49.15
7. Danika Schroeter (Can)...2.52.40
8. Lisa Sher...Chumba Wumba...2.53.78
9. April Lawyer...Maxxis-Puma...2.55.54
10. Anneke Beerten (Ned)...Specialized...2.57.26
20. Tara Llanes...Giant-pearl Izumi...3.29.41
21. Emily Johnston...3.40.16
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