The 2009 Mountain Bike World Cup will conclude in Schladming (Austria) after a long season which began in South Africa in April. The three disciplines will be racing together on Schladming’s Planai ski slopes. After eight rounds of racing across three continents, the event will see Cross-country and Downhill racers from all over the globe compete for the World Cup title.
The Cross-country competition will begin on Saturday after Friday’s qualifying sessions for the 4-Cross and Downhill. The circuit covers 5.32 kilometers and features riders riding a zigzag route along the Planai’s slopes. There are two big climbs in the first part of the lap followed by a switchback descent into downtown Schladming and one last climb before reaching the finish line. The track has been flooded recently, making it slippery and dangerous for riders to crash. The current plans call for the women to complete four laps while the men will do six. However, this could change if the courses dry further.
Olympic champion Julien Absalon, Orbea, mathematically won the men’s title last weekend at Champery, Switzerland. However, seven riders are still in contention for the podium spots. At 1090 points, Burry Stander (Specialized Factory Racing), the U23 world champion, is second. Ralph Nf (Multivan Merida), at 970, and Jose Hermida at 940 are the other two. These four riders should be in the top four, but there are four other riders who could climb up to fourth. They are Lukas Flckiger(Trek), Nino Schurter (Swisspower), Wolframkurschat (Topeak Ergon), and Canada’s Geoff Kabush (“Maxxis-Rocky Mountain”). After his first ever World Cup win in Champery, Stander mathematically has won the U23 title.
Kabush is the last person on the list, and he will have to race for the top five spots.
Three riders are eligible to compete for the women’s title: Lene Byberg (Specialized Factory Racing), Elisabeth Osl(Central Ghost), and Canadas Catharine Pennrel (Luna). Pendrel’s chances of winning the overall title are slim. However, Pendrel will be competing against Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon), while Osl races before a home crowd to try and retain her lead over Byberg. Byberg and Osl will be racing in the final race separated at 65 points. Osl hopes to finish no higher than third in this round. Marga Fullana, Orbea, pulled out of last weekend’s World Cup with what was later diagnosed as a fractured L2 vertebra. Marie-Helene Premont, Maxxis-Rocky Mountain, has a slim chance of moving up to fifth in overall standings. (She would need to win). The U23 title race is also tight with Aleksandra Dwidowicz (CCC Polkowice), the U23 World Cup champion, 33 points ahead Emily Batty (Canadian National), and Caroline Mani (30 points ahead) (Team Bikepark.ch). FOUR CROSS
The 4-Cross is in a similar position, with Jared Graves (Yetifox Shox), the world champion, leading the men’s side unassailably, but there being a fight for the women’s. Joost Wichman, a Dutch rider, is in second place overall for men. However there is still a fight to be third between Roger Rinderknecht(GT), Romain Saladini of Team Sunn and Dan Atherton from Animal Commencal. Rinderknecht will not start as he is still recovering from injuries which kept him out the world championships. Butis Jared Graves will continue to lead platehispoints. Rob Jones photo
On the womens side, three riders can still potentially take the title current leader Anneke Beerten (Suspension Centre), Fionn Griffiths (Norco World Team) or American Jill Kintner Red Bull/Intense/Crankbrothers). Beerten’s 80-point cushion means she can win the title as long as she finishes not lower than fifth. This race will determine who finishes second or third overall, as Griffiths and Kintner share points.
DOWNHILL
The Downhill is a complete reversal from the two other disciplines. While the women’s title has been decided, the men’s are still open. Sabrina Jonnier, Maxxis-Rocky Mountain, holds an unbeatable lead in the women’s title after she has won six races. Emmeline Ragot (Suspension Centre), recently crowned world champion, is only 85 points behind Round One winner Tracy Moseley of Trek World Racing. Sam Hill, Specializeds, has a narrow lead going into the final DH
Austria round. Rob Jones photo
The men’s Downhill is the most competitive of the weekend. Current leader Sam Hill (Monster Energy-Specialized), is only 16 points behind Greg Minnaar of Santa Cruz Syndicate. Steve Peat (Santa Cruz Syndicate), the new world champion, is still in the race at 69 points behind Hill. Gee Atherton, Animal Commencal, is also still in it at 141 points. The real race will be between Hill and Minnaar and whoever finishes ahead of the others will likely win the title. Because of the tight race, the points earned in Friday’s qualifying round have an added significance. DH fans will enjoy two close races this weekend.
A small error could lead to a crash on the DH course. Crashs are possible due to the slippery and wet conditions on the DH course. There are tight grass turns at the lower section of the course, where riders have the highest speed. Riders are taking extreme chances to win titles. According to current forecasts, there is a 50-50 chance of thunderstorms and some heavy rain.
Sabrina Jonnier (Fra), Team Maxxis – Rocky Mountain Bicycles already
The overall winner was the Women’s . Rob Jones photo
