Graves rolls out third World Cup victory in AustriaMonday, 21 June 2010
Reigning world four cross champion Jared Graves (Yeti Fox Shox) has taken out his third win of the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season in Leogang, Austria on the weekend, to further extend his lead in the men's four cross (4X) standings.
The 27-year-old Queenslander continued his march towards back-to-back World Cup titles, defeating RSP 4 Cross trio of Tomas Slavik (CZE), Michal Marosi (CZE) and Joost Wichman (NED) in the final.
In cold and wet conditions, the men's competition came down to those riders who could remain upright, with many of the top guns crashing out in the earlier rounds after slipping and sliding in the muddy conditions.
However in the final, Graves got out in front immediately with his usual fast gate, and maintained control all the way to the finish line.
Wichman made attempts to close in on the Australian; however some bad line choices cost the Dutch rider, who slipped back to fourth position.
"I knew things were gonna get crazy," said Graves. "Those RSP guys, they gang up on me.
“It's wild racing in the mud. Always a ton of fun. Anything can happen, so I had a great time today. I think this (type of course) is what we need more of. I loved it from the first time I saw it. Big lines, big gaps; you can really make some time."
Graves' third win now puts him 175 points ahead of Slavik in the overall standings, with Wichman 190 points behind in third.
In other Australian results, Queenslander Richard Levinson placed 16th whilst Victorian David Habicht finished 29th overall.
Australia’s sole female representative, Queenslander Sarsha Huntington placed third in the small final, to finish seventh overall in the women’s four cross. Defending 2009 women's champion Anneke Beerten of the Netherlands took out the final, to claim her first World Cup victory of the year.
The men’s downhill event was also greeted by the same wet and muddy conditions which had deteriorated the course significantly, leaving big holes and ruts full of water.
After qualifying second fastest, South African Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) withstood the difficult conditions to clock the fastest time in the final (4:05.65), pipping Great Britain’s Gee Atherton (Commencal) by just three quarters of a second.
National champion Chris Kovarik (Chain Reaction Cycles/Intense) was the best of the Australians, stopping the clock in 4:18.36 to place 18th, followed by Shaun O’Connor (27th – 4:20.68), Michael Hannah (46th – 4:25.70), Troy Brosnan (50th – 4:26.99), Joshua Button (61st – 4:30.10) and Bryn Atkinson (63rd – 4:30.53).
As the countdown continues to August’s 2010 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships in Canada, three rounds remain in the 2010 UCI World Cup:
July 24 – 25 Champery, Switzerland Cross Country, Downhill
July 31 – Aug 1 Val di Sole, Italy Cross Country, Downhill, Four Cross
Aug 29 – 29 Windham, USA Cross Country, Downhill, Four Cross
For further information (media only), please contact:
Michelle Cook - Jump Media and Marketing
0430 177 668
michelle@jumpmedia.com.au
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