Slavik & Beerten Win 4X Pro Tour Rd3 - Val Di Sole
As the sun went down over Val di Sole, riders from across the world were going wheel-to-wheel for round two of the 4X Pro Tour.
The 64 men who made it through yesterday's qualifier battled it out on the 45 second track. All night long the defending world champion, Michal Prokop (Czech Republic), was looking strong, getting the lead from the gate and pulling away from the competition. In the final it was not to be though, his countryman, Thomas Slavik, took the lead into the first corner and not matter what Prokop tried, he couldn't close the gap. Scott Beaumont (Great Britain) took the third step of the podium.
In the women's racing, last year's defending series champion and world champion, Anneke Beerten (Netherlands), was unbeatable, winning every one of her heats and comfortably taking the win in the final. She was one of the few ladies who tackled the intimidating jumps on the track's pro-line. Katy Curd (Great Britain) was her nearest competitor and looked strong throughout her heats, but she couldn't find the power out of the gate to stay with Beerten. Celine Gros backed up qualifying 17th in the downhill earlier in the day with the third spot of the podium.
Men Final
1 SLAVIK Tomas (RSP 4 Cross Team)
2 PROKOP Michal (SPECIALIZED Racing)
3 BEAUMONT Scott (Yeti Racing UK)
4 BECKEMAN Felix (Trek Sweden Racing/Fox Head)
Women Final
1 BEERTEN Anneke (MILKA-SUPERIOR MTB RACING TEAM)
2 CURD Katy ROSE (VAUJANY GRAVITY MTB TEAM)
3 GROS Céline Team (Morzine-Avoriaz)
4 OETJEN Lucia (Thömus Racing Team)
Keep up to date with the 4X ProTour:
www.4xprotour.com
www.facebook.com/4xprotour
www.twitter.com/4xprotour
Photos: Charles Robertson
Latest news
New Spot: Abergele Pump TrackNew Spot: Cadishead Pump Track
Watch: Down For Life - 30 Years of Bicycles & Dirt
Watch: Matt Jones returning to oversee the reconstruction of Woburn Bike Park
New Spot: The Murrough Pump Track
Popular news
Review: Shimano Saint PD-MX80 PedalsRockshox Announce 2014 Sid, Revelation, XLoc and updates to the Monarch
Review: Maxxis Ikon 26x2.35 Tyres