|
10/11/2008
|
 |
|
HILL’S REIGN CONTINUES, PEAT AND RENNIE’S HOPES DASHED
Kathy Sessler's Santa Cruz Sindicate report from the World's in Fort William
Scotland |
Sunday Sept. 9th, 2007 Fort William, Scotland Sam Hill’s dominance continues
as he wins the downhill at the World Championships in Ft. William, Scotland.
Giving him a scare was Fabien Barel, just barely down at the split; Barel gave
it all and came in just .64 behind Hill.
Great Britain fans cheered madly for Gee Atherton who earned the bronze medal.
Santa Cruz Syndicate riders Steve Peat and Nathan Rennie both ran into problems
on the course. Peat said, “About 100 yards into the course I went over
the wood bridge transitioning to the dirt and the bike slipped and both my feet
came off and I landed heavy on the seat and it broke off. When I rode the chair
lift up the wind blew my bike badly and it was barely hanging on by the seat.
I think that might have weakened the seat. The weather conditions up there were
so gnarly. The wind was blowing hard. I’m really gutted.”
Nathan Rennie (front) helping his friend Steve Peat find his
form in training.
Rennie had a fine run going and then entering the first woods section he said,
“I was going through the right, left corners and got on the pedals to put
some power down and it slipped and I went straight over the bars. I was stunned
at first as to what happened. I ran back up to get my bike and kept going. I just
made one mistake after that. I’m really pissed about it. I had a really
good run going and I was just 11 seconds back with the crash.”
Nathan Rennie checking the times.
Highlights of the week include the annual Boxxer World Championships where SRAM/RockShox
mechanics race to rebuild a Boxxer fork. This year a new head to head format was
followed and it made for some exciting entertainment. Rob Eva and Greg Herbold
announced the event and kept the assembled crowd laughing. The race was started
with a shot of whiskey, and ended with the finish of a guzzled beer turned upside
down on their heads. It may sound all fun, but these competitors were deadly serious
about the race and frustration was showing in their faces when things went wrong.
Many of the matches were so close, and came down to the wire with the experienced
beer guzzler’s deciding the match. In the end was a Great Britain match
with Tim Flukes up against Gary Mullaney, with Gary prevailing.
Rock Shox magician John Dawson finishes his task with aplomb.
Peaty’s foot had its ups and downs during the week any many people pitched
in to help him get to the start house. Jim Webb spent a few hours each day doing
physical therapy on Peat. Without his help surely his chances of racing would
have been questionable. On Friday Peaty said, “This morning my foot felt
mint, but then I cased the jump at the finish and hurt my foot making it feel
like two days ago.” Peaty’s friend, Nathan Rennie lent a hand and
had Steve follow him on a run to help pull him along. Race morning turned out
a bit disappointing. Rennie fell off on a practice run and dislocated the shoulder
that he hit a tree with a few months ago. He got it popped back in and was confident
it would hold well for the final. Peat planted his sore foot into the ground,
but the taping was holding well. (Greg Minaaar also crashed hard and finished
with a sore shoulder that turned out to be both dislocated and broken! - Ed.)
Peat putting his sore foot on ice.
In the Junior men’s race we all had high hopes for Santa Cruz rider, Josh
Bryceland, Peaty’s up and coming protégé. Bryceland was having
a stellar run until he suffered a rear puncture and rode in for 35th place.. Great
Britain was going off the hook when Rudaridh Cunningham took the win, and USA
gets a silver medal earned by JD Swuangen.
JD Swanguen is congratulated by Mark Fitzsimmons of Fox Racing
Shox.
Next week the Syndicate is off to Maribor for the Nissan UCI World Cup Finals,
then Rennie will compete in the Red Bull Metro Ride in Budapest, Hungary.
MEN’S TOP TEN:
1) SAM HILL 4:52.01
2) FABIEN BAREL 4:52.65
3) GEE ATHERTON 4:56.38
4) GREG MINNAAR 4:59.38
5) PASQUAL CANALS FLIX 5:00.29
6) MATTI LEHIKOINEN 5:00.93
7) JULIEN CAMELLINI 5:01.11
8) FLORENT PAYET 5:01.51
9) SAM BLENKINSOP 5:01.77
10) DAN ATHERTON 5:01.99
12TH: NATHAN RENNIE 5:03.19
67TH: STEVE PEAT 5:39.56
For all results hit uci.ch
Thanks to the Syndicate sponsors who make all this happen: Santa Cruz Bicycles
SRAM Rock Shox Truvativ Avid Kenda DT Swiss WTB Crankbrothers Lizard Skins Clif
Bar Troy Lee Designs Chris King Five Ten
"Do you have some Scottish in you lass? Would
you like a wee bit?"
Anything to say about the world's? Canada's performance or tartan caps?
Line it
up!
|
