July 14, 2003 (Whistler, BC) – After a spectacular weekend of racing at Grouse Mountain for the fourth World Cup this season, many pro downhillers headed to Whistler to catch the Whistler Joyride BikerCross and Air Downhill.

The weather also followed them and it ended up raining for the majority of the day. Despite the wet rain, many diehard fans littered the BikerCross course on Monday to cheer on their favourite riders.

In the pro men's race it looked like Australia's Chris Kovarik (Intense/Fox) would end up on top. Not only did he win the qualifying run, Kovarik won both rounds of the quarter and semi-finals. Also looking strong was recent World Cup 4X winner Mike King (Haro/Lee Dungarees) who qualified eighth but went on to win his round of quarter and semi-finals!

Cedric Gracia (FRA, Siemens/Cannondale), Greg Minnaar, (RSA, Haro/Lee Dungarees), King and Scott Beaumont (GBR) advanced to the finals. Beaumont got a rough start to the race, not timing the start properly; he was last out the gates. The boys raced down the hill, it was tight, and in the end the crowd saw only one of only a few sprint finishes of the day. Gracia, Minnaar, and Beaumont crossed the line in first, second and third, respectively.

Jill Kinter (USA, Fox Shox, STAATS) dominated the pro ladies' 4X yesterday at the Joyride BikerCross in Whistler, putting thirteen years of BMX talent to work. She won both her semi-final and final rounds back to back on Monday, after qualifying with the fastest time. This 21-year-old exploded onto the World Cup scene this year, already walking away with two podium finishes in her first season on the circuit. Watch for some stellar results from her later this year.

Kinter commented on her tactics during the final race. “Sabrina snapped me, she was ahead of me in the first turn, she squirreled out in the rhythm section, I took the inside, she couldn't retain her composure after that.”

Kinter was referring to second place rider, the talented Sabrina Jonnier (FRA, Intense Cycles). After regaining control of her bike, Jonnier battled it out against Great Britain's Tracy Moseley (Kona-Clarks) for second place. Moseley was third, Tai Lee Muxlow (GBR) was fourth.

In the junior men's race it was Norco's Ronny Enns who rode through the ranks to capture the race. After qualifying ninth, Enns was second in round one and two. In his first year of downhill/4X racing, Enns was encouraged to start up after his success as a pro BMX racer over the years. Looks like he made the right move!

Enns commented on his win yesterday. “I'm tired, but at the same time, I'm really, really happy. I pulled through this weekend, got the win! The course is pretty hairy, it's pretty fun. It's got some BMX jumps that I'm used to.”

American Brian Gerrard (Staats/Smith/Fox Shox/Hope Technologies) won the amateur men's race, racing BMX since he was 7. He's 19 now and next year this amateur turns pro.

Today, some of these riders will be sticking around for the Big Air DH, which takes place at 1 pm Pacific time, also in Whistler.

Joyride BikerCross 2003 Final Results

Pro Men:
1. Cedric Gracia, FRA
2. Greg Minnaar, RSA
3. Mike King, USA
4. Scott Beaumont, UK
5. Chris Kovarik, AUS
6. Steve Peat, UK
7. Bas de Bever, NED
8. Chris O'Driscoll, USA

Pro Women
1. Jill Kinter, USA
2. Sabrina Jonnier, FRA
3. Tracy Moseley, UK
4. Tai-Lee Moxlow, AUS
5. Anneke Beerien, Holland
6. Jen Ashton, Whistler
7. Michelle Dumaresq, Vancouver
8. Claire Buchar, Whistler

Amateur Men:

1. Brian Gerrad, USA
2. Daniel Niezel
3. AJ Johnson, USA
4. Tyler Morland, Whistler
5. Adam Cook, Whistler
6. Grant Laird, Whistler
7. Aaron Kempt, Squamish
8. Dustin Kingman, USA

Junior Men:
1. Ronny Enns, Delta,
2. Justin ATerweil, Weffley Creek, BC
3. Cameron McCall, Aptos, BC
4. Jamie Biluk, Winnipeg
5. Connoar MacLeod, West Vancouver
6. James McSkimming, Whistler
7. Matt Ward, Nanaimo, BC
8. Daryl Leduke, Whistler, BC

DH Chairs
1. Stacy Kohut, Whistler, BC