Graves notches up second World Cup victory - UCI World Cup

Media Release
Monday, 7 June 2010
 
Reigning world four cross champion Jared Graves has recorded his second World Cup victory of the year at Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, further strengthening his lead at the top of the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup standings.
 
As the countdown continues to August’s 2010 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships in Canada, the 27-year-old Queenslander lived up to his reputation as the world No 1 comfortably defeating Joost Wichman (NED), Michal Prokop (CZE) and Romain Saladini (FRA) in Saturday’s final.
 
In uncharacteristically warm and dry conditions, the course was dusty and loose, causing numerous washouts in the corners. A new rock garden through the middle section of the course added a new element of difficulty.
 
The final saw Graves once again shoot to the front out of the gate, closely followed by Prokop, who managed to squeeze in ahead of Wichman before the first corner.
 
However, Wichman fought back, with an impressive inside pass on the third corner to take the second spot behind a disappearing Graves, who continued to extend his lead.
 
Graves easily held on to secure his third consecutive win on the Fort William course, while Wichman managed to hold off Prokop for second.
 
"The corners were getting bad," admitted Graves, "so I was pretty much worried the whole way down.
 
“I'm so happy to get the win. It was a sketchy start (to the final). I was banging elbows with Joost, and I thought we might both go down. He certainly kept me honest today."
 
On track for back-to-back UCI World Cup titles, Graves now has a commanding lead in the series standings with 350 points, followed by Wichman (225 points) and Slavik (150 points) in third.
 
Australia’s sole female representative, Sarsha Huntington (QLD) placed fourth in the small final, to finish eighth overall in the women’s four cross.
 
On Sunday, the downhill riders faced one of the longest and toughest courses on the World Cup circuit. The 2.8 km course takes riders down Aonach Mor, the ninth highest peak in the United Kingdom, with a descent of 555 metres.
 
Great Britain’s Gee Atherton impressed in front of his home crowd, flying across the finish line in 4:35.70 to take the win. Kiwi Cameron Cole (4:36.18) and South African Greg Minnaar (4:36.18) filled the minor places on the podium.
 
Queenslander Michael Hannah (4:37.75) was the best of the Aussies with the fifth fastest time of the day, with Shaun O’Connor (8th - 4:41.54) and Bryn Atkinson (16th – 4:43.45) also finishing in the top twenty.
 
South Australian young gun Troy Brosnan was the fastest junior in the field, clocking 4:53.79 to place 57th overall.
 
The downhill and four cross action now heads to Leogang in Austria for the sixth leg of the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup from June 19 to 20.
 
For further information (media only), please contact:
 
Michelle Cook – MTBA Media
03 9500 0122, 0430 177 668 or michelle@jumpmedia.com.au