June 15, 2010 – The world’s top DH rippers were invited to hit up the former UCI World Cup DH track in Willingen, Germany on the weekend for the Milka Wheels of Speed DH race, part of the Sympatex Bike Festival, which ran June 11-13. Rachel Atherton (GBr) Commencal and Aaron Gwin (USA) Yeti took the top spots in the pro women’s and men’s races, respectively. Top Canadian finishers were Claire Buchar (Can) Chain Reaction Cycles, who finished a close second in the women’s competition, and Steve Smith (Can) MS Evil Racing, who qualified fourth in the pro men’s event, and eventually ended up eighth.

Results

Women
1. Rachel Atherton (GBr) Commencal 2:06.15
2. Claire Buchar (Can) Chain Reaction Cycles 2:06.39
3. Antje Kramer (Ger) Giant/SRAM/O’Neal 2:13.82

Men
1. Aaron Gwin (USA) Yeti 1:50.06
2. Greg Minnaar (RSA) Santa Cruz Syndicate 1:50.26
3. Andrew Neethling (RSA) Trek World Team 1:50.99
4. Dan Atherton (GBr) Commencal 1:51.69
5. Filip Polc (Svk) MS Evil Racing 1:52.03
6. Matt Simmonds (GBr) Chain Reaction Cycles 1:52.03
7. Chris Kovarik (Aus) Chain Reaction Cycles 1:52.19
8. Steve Smith (Can) MS Evil Racing 1:52.55
9. Matti Lehikoinen (Fin) Chain Reaction Cycles 1:52.96
10. Florent Payet (Fra) Morewood 1:52.99