Connor Fields (USA) was on fire all weekend and claimed victory in the elite men’s main with Sam Willoughby (AUS) claiming second. David Herman (USA) brought home the bronze for the U.S.
Magalie Pottier (FRA) outperformed all other elite women to claim her first big Supercross victory. Laetitia Le Corguille (FRA) finished second and Amanda Geving (USA) made her first-ever world cup podium appearance finishing third.
BMX SX World Cup – Men’s Final
Yesterday’s time trial superfinal silver-medalist and 2008 Olympic champion Maris Strombergs (LAT) got the hole shot and was half a bike length ahead, but left the door open on the first turn. Winner of the 2011 Chula Vista World Cup, Fields took the lead and kept a consistent gap ahead of Sam Willoughby (AUS), who grabbed the silver. Herman finished strong moving into third to take the bronze.
Fields “He left the door open”
“In the first turn Maris (Stromberg) left the door open and I just went through,” said Fields. “I was leading from that moment and I could not see or hear anything behind. I was concentrating on riding a smooth lap to the finish line. It is a great start to an important season, but there is a long way to go.”
Willoughby “I am enjoying the big hill again”
Sam Willoughby finished second. The hard working Australian was satisfied with that result. “That is three out of four time I finished seconds here in Chula Vista. Three seconds is pretty good I guess. I will take that. It is a great start of the year. It was always going to be tough to beat Conner here. He knows the track like the back of his hand. So I tagged on the back of him and followed him (smile). It is a consistent start. I am happy with that. It’s a level playing field, hopefully we will finish on top in two weeks at the next stop.”
“The level goes up absolutely. I stepped up my game this year. More focus on these SX races. Now I am enjoying the big hill again. Now I can feel it again, the feeling I had in 2009. I am having that same enjoyment of the big hill. Looking forward to this year.”
With last year’s Chula Vista World Cup winner Arielle Martin (USA) eliminated in the semi-finals, the door was open for four young Americans to earn the victory in the women’s final. But it was the French duo of Pottier and Le Corguille who jumped quickly out of the gate to gain the lead. Geving was able to get the line on the first turn and stay in contention to finish third just behind the Frenchwomen. Pottier’s win, her first big victory on the world cup circuit, displayed the strength of the next generation of French talent.
Pottier Champagne shower
Magalie Pottier talked to the media after her Champagne podium shower. The young Frenchwomen was ecstatic. “Two years ago I finished second. Now it is my first victory in the world cup. Last year I finished 4, 4, 4. A lot of fours haha. I am so happy! This Chula Vista track is my favourite. My first victory in the World Cup.”
Finals
Women
1. Magalie Pottier (France) 36.992
2. Laetitia Le Corguille (France) 37.317
3. Amanda Geving (United States) 37.613
4. Alise Post (United States) 37.875
5. Caroline Buchanan (Australia) 38.209
6. Amanda Carr (United States) 40.135
7. Lauren Reynolds (Australia) 45.31
DNF Brooke Crain (United States)
Men
1. Connor Fields (United States) 34.124
2. Sam Willoughby (Australia) 34.73
3. David Herman (United States) 35.002
4. Marc Willers (New Zealand) 35.153
5. Tory Nyhaug (Canada) 35.629
6. Twan Van Gendt (Netherlands) 35.916
7. Joey Bradford (United States) 36.224
DNF Maris Strombergs (Latvia)
Full results HERE.