After a three week hiatus, the 4-Cross World Cup resumed in Houffalize, Belgium. The 4-Cross is a new event for a World Cup venue that has a history of providing exciting racing, and Houffalize did not disappoint, with numerous lead changes and crashes.
Graves was unstoppable in every heat. Rob Jones photo
Jared Graves (Yeti Fox Shox) took his second consecutive win to cement his overall lead, while American Jill Kintner (Red Bull-Intense) came back from a disappointing first round to decisively put herself back into the fight for the women's World Cup. Anneke Beerten (Suspension Center) held onto the women's overall lead after finishing third.
Kintner (L) and Beerten were neck and neck in the women's final. Rob Jones photo
The wide open turns meant that the term 'hole shot' meant less than usual. Both Graves and Kintner commented on the fact, with Graves pointing out "you could see by the number of crashes that guys were taking chances. There was no one line, which made it very hard to protect a lead, and a fast start wasn't that meaningful."
Crashes were the order of the day as racers crowded each other on a race course that was exceptionally good for passing opportunities. Rob Jones photo
One rider that was impacted by the crashes was men's world champion Rafael Alvarez de Lara Lucas (Specialized), who was run into from behind coming out of the first corner by someone trying to cut the corner. His day was over after a pretzeled front wheel in the crash.
Game over for World Champ Alvarez in the first round. Rob Jones photo
Despite the mayhem, Graves and Kintner were clearly the class of their respective fields. Graves was unbeaten through all the rounds, constantly jumping away out of the gate and then holding off late attempts to catch him. By the time the men reached the third round (quarter finals), Graves also had a shadow - Dan Atherton (Animal Commencal), who finished second to Graves in the quarterfinals, semifinals and the medal final. Roger Rinderknecht (GT) and Joost Wichman (RSP) rounded out the final four.
It doesn't get much beter than this: Prokop, Atherton, and Lacey at speed: Rob Jones photo
Kintner's run to the final wasn't quite as smooth. After winning her first two heats, Jana Horakova (Czech Republic) managed to get by her in the semifinal, and Kintner had to battle for that second spot to make the medal round.
Aneeke Beerten qualified second to Jill Kintner. Rob Jones photo
In the medal race, it was Kintner, Beerten, Horakova and Romana Labounkova (Czech Republic). Kintner jumped into the lead followed by Beerten. But the World Cup leader miscalculated the first corner and had to brake, allowing Horakova to slip into the second position.
The traditional truck ride back to the starting gate--just like racing at home. Rob Jones photo
"I came on the inside of Jill, thinking that she would go higher through the corner, but she went in a straight line and I had nowhere to go," explained Beerten. "But it was great racing, and I kept my jersey."
For Kintner, it was a sign that she was truly back in the mix of 4-cross, after taking last season off to prepare for the BMX event at the Olympics (where she won the bronze medal). After a disappointing race in South Africa, where she finished fifth, the win in Houffalize was a big confidence booster.
"It felt good to get the monkey off my back."
Kintner was relieved to get that first win of the season. Rob Jones photo
(Left to right) Joost Wichman, Dan Atherton, Jared Graves, Roger Rinderknecht, Romain Saladini. Rob Jones photo