Hill and Jonnier win World Championships

Published: 29th August 2006 | By billy1979

Sam Hill gave Australia it's first ever Elite men's world title; a somewhat surprising fact given the depth of Australian riders in the men's field. Hill was joined on the podium by former world champion Greg Minnaar (South Africa) and fellow Aussie Nathan Rennie, who had finished first in qualifying. Steve Peat finished just off the podium, in fourth place, while Gee Atherton squeaked into the top ten in ninth position. The men's field was extremely well stacked, with only defending two-time champion Fabien Barel (France) missing due to injury. Australia also had Mick Hannah (whose sister had earlier in the day won the Junior women's title) and Chris Kovarik as contenders, while Great Britain boasted perennial favourite Steve Peat, plus Marc Beaumont and Atherton brothers Gee and Dan. Dan Atherton, who crashed in qualifying (and therefore started early) set a fast time of 3:25.58 . This time would hold up for 20 riders before Filip Polc (Slovakia) finally knocked a second off of it. Ten riders later Andrew Neethling (South Africa) took the leading time down a further three seconds, and he hung onto the lead until Kovarik took off another three and a half seconds. Kovarik's reign lasted until Hill came rocketing home - a staggering seven full seconds faster. Hill's time would easily stand up through the final five riders, with Minnaar's silver medal performance still over three seconds behind the Australian's incredible run. Downhill Results SENIOR MEN 1. HILL Samuel AUS 3:11.03 2. MINNAAR Greg RSA 3:15.25 +4.22 3. RENNIE Nathan AUS 3:17.16 +6.13 4. PEAT Steve GBR 3:17.92 +6.89 5. KOVARIK Chris AUS 3:18.04 +7.01 SENIOR WOMEN 1. JONNIER Sabrina (FRA) 3:50.32 2. MOSELEY Tracy (GBR) 3:53.83 +3.51 3. ATHERTON Rachel (GBR) 3:57.80 +7.48 4. BUHL Melissa (USA) 4:00.40 + 10.08 5. RAGOT Emmeline (FRA) 4:01.03 + 10.71 JUNIOR MEN 1. COLE Cameron (NZL) 3:28.29 2. BLENKINSOP Samuel (NZL) 3:29.45 +1.16 3. BADOUARD Antoine (FRA) 3:29.84 +1.55 4. JONES Ralph (GBR) 3:30.14 +1.85 5. MALTMAN James (AUS) 3:36.12 +7.83 JUNIOR WOMEN 1. HANNAH Tracey (AUS) 4:07.07 2. PUGIN Floriane (FRA) 4:11.74 +4.67 3. GATTO Micayla (CAN) 4:40.91 + 33.84 www.britishcycling.org.uk

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Hill and Jonnier win World Championships

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