March 31/12 22:06 pm - BMX SuperCross World Cup #1 - Supercross results

Posted by Editoress on 03/31/12
 

The opening round of the 2012 UCI BMX Supercross saw the best elite BMX riders in the world battle it out in the birthplace of this exciting young cycling discipline.

Connor Fields (USA) was on fire all weekend and claimed victory in the elite men’s main event yesterday, with Sam Willoughby (AUS) coming in second. David Herman brought home bronze for the United States.

Magalie Pottier (FRA) outperformed all other elite women to take her first big Supercross victory. Laetitia Le Corguille (FRA) finished second and Amanda Geving (USA) made her first-ever World Cup podium appearance finishing third.

Men’s Final

Early lead for Olympic Champion Strombergs

2008 Olympic Champion Maris Strombergs (LAT), who was second in Friday’s time trial final, got the hole shot and was half a bike length ahead, but left the door open on the first turn. Already winner in Chula Vista last year, Fields took the lead and kept a consistent gap on Sam Willoughby and Herman, who finished strongly moving into third.

“In the first turn Maris left the door open and I just went through,” said Fields. “I was leading from that moment and I could not see or hear anything behind. I was concentrating on riding a smooth lap to the finish line. It is a great start to an important season, but there is a long way to go.”

Sam Willoughby was satisfied with his second place: “That is three out of four times that I have finished second here in Chula Vista. Three seconds is pretty good I guess. I will take that. It is a great start to the year. It was always going to be tough to beat Connor here. He knows the track like the back of his hand so I tagged on the back of him and followed him.

Elite Women

First victory for Pottier

With last year’s Chula Vista winner Arielle Martin (USA) eliminated in the semi-finals, the door was open for four young Americans to earn the victory in the women’s final. But it was the French duo of Pottier and Le Corguille who jumped quickly out of the gate to gain the lead. Geving was able to get the line on the first turn and stay in contention to finish third just behind the Frenchwomen. Pottier’s win, her first big victory on the World Cup circuit, displayed the strength of the next generation of French talent.

She was ecstatic: “Two years ago I finished second. Now it is my first victory in the World Cup. I am so happy! This Chula Vista track is my favourite.”

Courtesy UCI

Results from the Final Day of racing in Chula Vista, California (USA)