June 6, 2010 (Fort William, GBR) – Gee Atherton (GBR – Animal Commencal) and Sabrina Jonnier (FRA – Maxxis) have taken home the wins at the second round of the UCI MTB Downhill World Cup in Fort WIlliam, Scotland. The weather stayed clear and cool for most of the week, with the predicted rain failing to materialize all week long. Come race day a tiny mist blew in up top about midway through the field, but didn’t make much of a difference.

The track in Ft Bill has seen some changes this year, scraping away earth to expose bedrock over much of it. Mechanics were kept busy building wheels and replacing chain guides and chain rings for much of the week.

The biggest story was probably who didn’t start the finals, not who won. Sam Hill (AUS – Monster Specialized) had a tremendous crash in Friday practice, destroying much of his bike, as well as injuring his shoulder. He rolled through the gate on Saturday to qualify as a protected rider and pulled off 100m from the start ramp. He attempted a practice run on Sunday morning but couldn’t hang on, and had to nurse his way to the bottom and didn’t take his start for finals.

Atherton took home the win in front of a huge home crowd, typically one of the largest on the world cup, and didn’t disappoint much to the crowd’s delight. “I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he said on his way to the podium, “To win here is incredible. This is easily the most excited I have ever been about winning a race.”

Atherton was followed by Cam Cole (NZL – Maxxis) who scored the best result of his career, and Greg Minnaar took third after struggling with a mechanical.

Steve Smith of Canada (MS Evil Racing) had a huge crash on the upper section of the course, cartwheeling his way into the hillside, ruining his chances of a repeat of the last round, where he was just off the podium. “My front wheel hit a little rock, and I just went straight to my head. I got a bunch of sand in my goggles, so I had to stop for a bit further down the course to empty out my goggles and stop feeling dizzy”

Jonnier was ecstatic about her win after having a bad run in Maribor. “Yesterday wasn’t good, I was weak. This morning I felt really strong and was carrying good speed at the top. I made heaps of mistakes and in the third turn I hit me pedal on the ground and almost went over the bars. It was a bit scary. I gave everything I had in my legs in the pedaling, It was awesome.”

The French woman narrowly beat her arch rival Rachel Atherton (GBR – Animal Commencal) and the young Floriane Pugin of France (Scott 11).

Top Canadian was Claire Buchar (Chain Reaction Cycles/Intense) for the ladies, who was happy with her performance. “It went pretty good and made a few mistakes, but it’s been a long week on a really tiring track. I’m happy with my run. I almost came off once, but I didn’t and stayed on. I need to get stronger at sprinting. The bottom of the track is where I lost it for sure but I’m happy with 7th”

The next DH/4X round of the World Cup takes places in just over a week’s time in Leogang, Austria.

Results (brief)

Women

1. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain 5:11.6
2. Rachel Atherton (Gbr) Commencal 1.11
3. Floriane Pugin (Fra) Scott 11 4.87
4. Tracy Moseley (Gbr) Trek World Racing 4.89
5. Emmeline Ragot (Fra) Scott 11 9.08

7. Claire Buchar (Can) Chain Reaction Cycles/Intense 14.93
11. Micayla Gatto (Can) 24.02

Men

1. Gee Atherton (Gbr) Commencal 4:35.70
2. Cameron Cole (Nzl) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain 0:48
3. Greg Minnaar (RSA) Santa Cruz Syndicate 1.21
4. Aaron Gwin (USA) Yeti Fox Shox Factory Race Team 2.01
5. Michael Hannah (Aus) GT Bicycles 2.05

72. Steve Smith (Can) MS Evil Racing 36.29

Standings after 2 Events

Women

1. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain 425 pts
2. Rachel Atherton (GBr) Commencal 410
3. Floriane Pugin (Fra) Scott 11 350
4. Myriam Nicole (Fra) Commencal Superiders 240
5. Tracy Moseley (GBr) Trek World Racing 234

7. Claire Buchar (Can) Chain Reaction Cycles/Intense 186
15. Micayla Gatto (Can) 50

Men

1. Greg Minnaar (RSA) Santa Cruz Syndicate 430
2. Gee Atherton (Gbr) Commencal 405
3. Cameron Cole (Nzl) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain 282
4. Aaron Gwin (USA) Yeti Fox Shox Factory Race Team 240

19. Steve Smith (Can) MS Evil Racing 136