France Cycling: Race facts
Round two of 2006 National Mountain Bike Series was over. Australians Sam Hill (pro mens) and Tracey Hannah (pro womens) took the titles in the downhill competition.
Hill was the last qualifier from the field of 49. Hill rode last as the top qualifier in the field of 49. His time of 3 minutes, 28.7 seconds was again the fastest. He literally blitzed down a difficult course with 762.0m of technical and rock terrain. Hills’ time was 12 seconds faster than Justin Leov from New Zealand. Duncan Riffle, the American’s third-place finisher was also impressive. Justin Havukainen and Cole Bangert placed fourth and fifth, respectively.
Hannah, 18 years old, won her first ever NMBS National Title Sunday with her winning time
The short track competition saw the defending national series champions Geoff Kabush and Katerina Nah win the women’s and men’s titles. It was a 1-2-3-4 finish for the Luna Chix. Katerina Nah and her teammates Jimena Florit and Georgia Gould, as well as Sugar Mountain cross-country winner Shonny Vandandingham, took all but one spot on the podium. This was Subaru-Gary Fishers Willow Koerber.
Florit took a 20 second lead on her second lap of the contest. This was ahead of a chase group that included Koerber, Sue Haywood, and her fellow riders. Florit held the lead for seven laps more, but the time ran out and the field of 48 was reduced to 15. The rest of the Luna team formed a chase group 10 seconds behind Florit during the final three laps.
Florit stated that when people are reluctant to chase you, it is time to capitalize. You can make people work, even if you have to dig deeper. I wanted to help my team members get up the hill later. It didn’t matter that I was the only one who knew, it was us all.
The final lap was completed by Florit calling Nashwho Florit the team’s short track star. He was able to catch Florit at the top and pull ahead in section final for the win.
I just kept pushing it hard on the final lap, hoping to catch Jimena at the top. It was obvious to me that if you are the first downhiller, chances are good that you will keep it that way.
Yesterday’s cross-country winner Jeremy Horgan Kobelski made the men’s side a tighter team. Geoff Kabush and Ryan Trebon, Barry Wicks and Barry Wicks were the leaders. They pulled away from 65 riders early on and stayed together for the majority of the race. Trebon and Horgan Kobelski pulled away after the first 20 minutes, and the last four laps were complete. But, almost out of nowhere, Kabush took the win.
Kabush stated that I was kind of hanging in there due to the accelerations that were quite hard. However, I tried to save some horsepower and let them open up any gaps. I tried to keep my legs strong for the final climb, but it was too much fun.
Horgan-Kobelski stated that we passed each other three times on the last lap. We were fairly evenly matched. The whole time we were on the double track, which was standing in the big ring, we were neck-and-neck. Geoff managed to sneak into the single track and I got him on the downhill. He helped me get to the last corner.
Kabush’s Sunday win makes him the male pro with the most career-short track wins. To complete the podium, Geoff Kabush, Jeremy Horgan Kobelski, Ryan Trebon and Jeremiah Bishop rounded out the list.
Sam Schultz, who placed 11th in the France Cycling Under 23 team’s overall standings, was the top finisher. Sam Jurekovic, a 23-year-old compatriot, finished 16th while Colin Cares was 22nd.
The men’s pro dual slalom race for the women continued Sunday, with the final eight remaining competitors. Saturday’s race was postponed due to thunderstorms. Jared Graves, an Australian pro dual slalom champion, was first for the men’s side. Kathy Pruitt, third seed, was third for the women.
I was disappointed in my downhill results today, so I returned to my house and sat for a while thinking, « I’m going to win the slalom, » Pruitt said. Every round, I tried to remember what I wanted, what my goal was, and made sure I got down every hill.
Next weekend, the 2006 National Mountain Bike Series will continue at Mt. In West Dover, Vermont.
DOWNHILL RESULT
1. Sam Hill (Aus)Monster-Ironhorse-Madcatz 2. Justin Leov (NZl).YetiFox 3. Duncan RiffleHonda-Ironhorse 4. Cole BangertMorewood 5. Justin HavakainenMonster WOMEN
1. Tracey Hannah (Aus)Team Edge 2. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra)Monster-Ironhorse-Madcatz 3. Kathy PruittJamis 4. Joana Petterson (RSA)Morewood 5. Melissa BuhlKHS
DUAL SLALOM RESULT
1. Jared Graves (Aus).YetiFox
WOMEN
1. Kathy PruittJamis
SHORT TRACK RESULT
1. Geoff Kabush (Canadian)Team Maxxis
2. Jeremy Horgan-KobelskiSubaru/Gary Fisher
3. Ryan TrebonKona
4. Jeremiah BishopTrek/VW
5. Todd WellsGT
WOMEN
1. Katerina Nash (Cze)Luna Chix
2. Jimena Florit (Arg)Luna Chix
3. Georgia GouldLuna Chix
4. Shonny VanlandinghamLuna Chix
5. Willow KoerberSubaru/Gary Fisher
