4X World Cup round 2 - Houffalize, Belgium

Last weekend the UCI World Cup 4X event split from the usual DH World Cup - this time they had the 4X event alongside the XC world cup in Houffalize, Belgium. The 4X was live on Eurosport and it was great coverage. It had me screaming at the TV for our riders. The track was long and the racing was really exciting with lots of passing and take out moves. Team Chain Reaction Cycles.com/Intense riders Lucas Mechura and Lewis Lacey got some great TV exposure. Lewis made it through his first round with some great riding but got knocked out of the competition in the round of 32. Lucas rode really well making it through to the 1/4 finals after beating the reigning world champion, Rafa Alvarez, in his first heat. His 1/4 final was like a final with himself, world cup leader Jared Graves, ex world champion and world cup champion Michael Prokop and Gee Atherton - competing in his first 4X World Cup in a few years as there was no DH this weekend. Lucas got a great start and was level with both Graves and Prokop going into the first corner but being on the outside of them they took the first 2 positions coming out of the first corner. Lucas pushed Prokop all the way down until one of the final corners where he made a move and passed the ex-world champion but in doing so lost some momentum and Gee managed to pass both of them for the 2nd place - Jared and Gee qualifying for the semi finals.... That is 4X but Lucas rode really well and is improving each race. The final was another great race and Jared Graves took the win after a tough battle with the UKs Dan Atherton 2nd, Roger Rinderknecht and Joost Wichman 4th. Next week the team will be at the 2nd round of the DH World Cup is in La Bresse, France. The week after we will be at Round 3 (DH & 4X) in Vallnord, Andorra. If you want to watch the racing live you can see it on Freecaster.com or if you have Eurosport2 you can see the coverage on there. Also check our team website for news and the teams podcasts. Photography by Victor Lucas. Nigel Page Team Manager - ChainReactionCycles/Intense www.CRCintense.com