June 12, 2007 (Champ̩ry, Switzerland) РThe Alps, a freshly cut course, mother nature at her worst and the worlds fastest DH riders all came together creating high drama in a picturesque setting.

The rains that threatened and sprinkled off-and-on all weekend finally showed up in full force part way though the men’s DH competition on Sunday afternoon in the Portes de Soleil region of Switzerland.

Tactical qualifying before the final run was the rule of the day, as many top-ranked riders finished well out of their usual spots, pulling up on course or simply taking it easy so as to leave the start gate early and possibly beat the rain. This tactic worked perfectly for Honda G Cross flying Fin, Matti Lehikoinen. Lehikoinen qualified mid-pack, putting all his cards on the table and giving up any chance at the 50 bonus points awarded to the top qualifier.

Lehikoinen explained the team tactics for the day. “This is such a crazy course and the weather was so tough to pick, but the tactics worked well. I knew that if I could get down the hill on a dry course, I could run a fast time, and my race time is still the 2nd fastest of the whole week here, so I’m happy about that.”

Britain’s Steve Peat, of team Santa Cruz Syndicate, also played it safe, electing to qualify 60th. Peaty put the hammer down in his race run and managed to put in a ride that was good enough for second place.

The story of the day, and perhaps the season, however, was the performance of Australian Monster IronHorse rider Sam Hill. Hill qualified first, 14 seconds ahead of his nearest rival. He would therefore leave the gate last, in this case during a deluge of epic proportions. Earlier riders were having troubles simply getting down the course, and not a single rider cracked the top 10 after Mick Hannah (AUS) Cannondale the Cut who left in 32nd place. Hill tore the course apart and put in a final run that was not only good enough for third place, but it was one second faster at the split than second place rider Peat, who went in the dry. His run included a small wrinkle where he “slid out” in the slick mud.

“I felt pretty good until I crashed, but still knew I was on a good run, and maybe the win,” Hill explained afterwards. “The course was a lot more slippery than anytime during the week, with more roots and holes.”
Lehikoinen’s jaw hit the bed of the Nissan Hot Seat when the Hill’s split time was less than 1.5 seconds back. “The ride of the day, he was amazing. I’m happy to get the win, but that was such an impressive ride,” the Fin admired.

Women’s DH

The women’s event took place earlier in the day, before the skies clouded over and grew ominous. Local rider, Marielle Saner (SUI) Bikepark.ch took the win on her home course. Two french women rounded out the top three, with Emmiline Ragot in second, and World Cup leader Sabrina Jonnier (Monster Iron Horse) in third following a spill mid course.

Canada’s Claire Buchar (Specialized) put down a solid run and wound with a very respectable 13th place. Micayla Gatto (Rocky Mountain-Haywood) did not start the final run as she got caught up on course in some traffic in practice, and couldn’t make it back up the mountain in time.

“It took me so long to do the practice run (because of everyone crashing, getting run over by the fast guys) that by the time I raced up to the start I only had about 30 seconds to a minute before my start; apparently that was too late, so they didn’t let me start. I was SO mad! Then I went down to the bottom and asked if I could just race because all the girls automatically qualified anyways…. but they said no. They said I could be a forerunner and not be timed or counted as a racer, if I wanted to do the track. I was like “hmmmm put myself and my body into potential extreme danger and not be timed? I don’t think so,” said a frustrated Gatto.

The DH World Cup moves to it’s only North American stop, Mont Ste Anne, Quebec, in two weeks for another World MTB Cup “triple” from June 21-24.

Results

Elite Women

1. Marielle Saner (Sui) Bikepark.ch 4:59.22
2. Emmiline Ragot (Fra) 5:01.59
3. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra) 5:02.08
4. Mio Suemesa (Jpn) Intense 5:13.80
5. Tracey Hannah (Aus) Orange 5:16.89
6. Helen Gaskell (Gbr) 5:17.71
7. Tracy Moseley (Gbr) Kona Les Gets 5:22.51
8. Scarlett Hagen (Nzl) GT 5:28.02
9. Floriane Pugin (Fra) 5:31.50
10. Fionn Griffiths (Gbr) 5:39.57
11. Celine Gros (Fra) 5:29.63

13. Claire Buchar (Can) Specialized 6:14.75

Elite Men

1. Matti Lehikoinen (Fin) Honda G Cross 4:10.21
2. Steve Peat (Gbr) Santa Cruz Syndicate 4:11.81
3. Sam Hill (Aus) Monster Iron Horse 4:11.84
4. Fabien Barel (Fra) Kona Les Gets 4:14.91
5. Mick Hannah (Aus) Cannondale the cut 4:21.52
6. Adam Brayton (Gbr) 4:22.15
7. Josh Bryceland (Gbr) 4:22.95
8. Marcus Klausmann (Ger) 4:23.09
9. Adam Wagner (Cze) 4:23.95
10. Remi Thirion (Fra) 4:25.61