UCI DH World Cup

Fort William

Sept 05

The final round of the world cup took place in Fortbill on the 10th, 11th september. To those who have never been, Fort William has been voted the best track on the world cup circuit for the last three years. And rightfully so. Situated on the side of Ben Nevis, the track started about 200 metres below the top gondola station. At an altitude of 625 metres, and being 2.46 killometres in length, it is the most demanding track on the world circuit. An average gradient of 11 degrees, the steepest gradient being 20 degrees, and a vertical drop of 525 metres.

The track has remained virtually unchanged from last year, the only difference was the inclusion of a hip jump on the lower part of the track. On friday, the decision was made to take out the hip jump section. As this was newly built, and not ridden in properly, it was starting to get cut up pretty bad. The top section of the track is out in the open. A flat out, rough and rocky run that winds its way down the side of Ben Nevis, with huge braking bumps and well constructed berms to keep the riders on track. This led down into the woods, with rocks and roots scattered eveywhere, you had to be on top of your game to make it through here. This wound on through the woods,with various rock outcrops and drops, to bring the riders out onto the bottom section of the track, named the motorway section. This consisted of a series of six doubles that was hit at full speed, very entertaining for the spectators.

At the bottom of this section, there was a big step down jump bellow the Red Bull arch, and down a very steep, scarily fast chute that brought the riders to a jump which shot them onto the last berm of the 4X track, two more jumps, and they were across the finish line. Now for the racing. There were a good few riders from Ireland at Fortbill, most coming straight from the World Champs.

A strong attendance from the 021racing brigade, Michael Cowan, Dale McMullan, the Wolfe brothers, Paul Cummins, the Smith brothers, and the WC regulars, Ben Reid, John Lawlor, Glyn O'Brien, and Poptart. Unfortunately, only four of the above qualified on sunday for the finals. Ben Reid qualified in 28th place with his time 4.29.70. John Lawlor with his time of 4.42.12, Dan Wolfe with his time of 4.43.61, and Gerard Wolfe just scraping through with his time of 4.45.26. For the rest of the lads, it was time to relax, sit back, and enjoy the rest of the day.

The finals started at 2pm. Ladies first, then on to the top eighty men. I spent most of the finals at the Red Bull arch, in the comfort of the media area which had been taped off, no fighting with spectators here to get a good vantage point ! One by one the riders blasted off over the Red Bull arch jump, and off towards the finish line.

The atmosphere was electric, with the crowds cheering on the riders over the last few hundred metres of the track. With twenty riders left to come down, I made my way to the finish area. Chris Kovarik was in the hot seat, and was relieved of his perch by Greg Minnaar.

All eyes were on the big screen as the riders appeared over the step down jump below the Red Bull arch, none were quick enough to take the hot seat. Then the moment we were all waiting for. Steve Peat had set off, the crowd had gone quiet, waiting with baited breath for Peaty to appear on the big screen. When he came in to sight, the crowd erupted, The atmosphere was unbelievable, with air horns blasting, and the crowd cheering, urging Peaty to keep it lit, he crossed the finish line to beat Minnaar by over two seconds.

Peaty has waited a long time for this victory, and was immediately mobbed by the media, myself included. The look of joy on his face when he took off his lid, the sweet taste of success in front of the home crowd.

As for the Irish, Ben finished in 33rd with his time of 4.30.39, Gerard Wolfe was 67th with his time of 4.44.55, Dan Wolfe was 68th with his time of 4.45.20 and John Lawlor was 73rd with his time of 4.56.46.

Results Men

1 Steve Peat 4.11.44

2 Greg Minnaar 4.13.57

3 Nathan Rennie 4.14.83

4 Chris Kovarik 4.15.76

5 Gee Atherton 4.16.06

Women

1 Tracy Moseley 4.59.97

2 Rachel Atherton 5.00.89

3 Sabrina Jonnier 5.02.02

4 Kathy Pruitt 5.02.50

5 Vanessa Quin 5.04.62

Overall Results Men

1 Greg Minnar 1660

2 Sam Hill 905

3 Nathan Rennie 890

4 Cedric Gracia 735

5 Gee Atherton 722

Women

1 Sabrina Jonnier 1454

2 Tracy Moseley 1419

3 Rachel Atherton 1115

4 Vanessa Quin 1014

5 Marielle Saner 1004