April 25/14 3:06 am - World Cup Cairns: DH Qualifying results

Posted by Editoress on 04/25/14
 

New Zealand's Samuel Blenkinsop (Lapierre Gravity Republic) and reigning world champion Rachel Atherton (GBR / GT Factory Racing) mastered the muddy Smithfield track to post the fastest times in downhill qualifying on a wild day at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Cairns.  Casey Brown (Bergamont Hayes) was the top Canadian qualifier, in sixth place.

Following two days of solid rain in the region, the downhill track at the Smithfield Regional Park tested the world's best, with a mixture of mud, sludge, rain and roots, creating some of the most challenging conditions ever seen at a World Cup.

Thousands of mountain biking fans braved the rain and mud to show their support of the event, cheering on Cairns natives Mick and Tracey Hannah (Hutchinson UR) who progressed through to Saturday's finals. Mick finished 34th after suffering an early crash, while Tracey finished seventh.

Blenkinsop covered the 1.9 kilometre course in a time of four minutes 22.233 seconds, a mere 0.7 seconds in front of round one winner Aaron Gwin (Specialized Racing DH). Reigning world champion Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) was a further 2.178 seconds back.  Canada had two riders in the men's field, with Forrest Riesco qualifying 46th.  Matt Hardwick finished 90th and did not qualify for Saturday's final.

"It kind of suits me these conditions," said Blenkinsop, the reigning Oceania champion. "My qualifying was pretty good, I am surprised that I am in the lead at the moment but we will see how that holds up."

"I just tried to ride smooth and consistent and not slide out anywhere. I knew that the bottom section would make up the time so I'm happy.  Tomorrow will be the battle," he added.

Atherton showed her class to finish a whopping 18 seconds ahead of compatriot Manon Carpenter (Madison Saracen Factory Team), with a time of five minutes 20.568 seconds, and she was a further 21.581 seconds in front of France's Emmeline Ragot (Lapierre Gravity Republic).  In addition to Brown's sixth place result, Canadian champion Micayla Gatto (Pivot Factory DH) was tenth, and Claire Buchar (Kovarik Racing) 11th.

"[That was the] hardest thing ever, hands down. I could have got down there better on my running shoes," said Atherton of the thick and sticky mud which lines the course.

"The crowd was amazing, I was all ready to give up, like 'guys this is too slow', and they were like, 'c'mon you're faster, you're going faster'. They really helped me and pushed me on.  I just can't believe how hard that was."

In Junior men's qualifying, Loris Vergier (FRA / Lapierre Gravity Republic) qualified fastest with a time of 4 mins 33.924secs, nine seconds ahead of USA's Luca Shaw (4:43.248 / SRAM/TLD RACING). Taylor Vernon (GBR / GT Factory Racing) rounded out the podium, 12 seconds off the pace (4:46.240)

Report by Cycling Australia (modified)

Results from DH qualifying in Cairns Australia