Atherton's dominate Garbanzo DH at Kokanee Crankworx 2008

Gee Atherton finishes #1 in what is said to be one of the longest, most grueling downhill course in mountain biking. The one-run format descends 3,400 feet from top to bottom, covering some of the most challenging terrain in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. An impressive field of world class athletes descended on the Monster Energy DH course that began on Original Sin and continued through Blue Velvet; In Deep; Duffman; Golden Triangle; World Cup Downhill; Ho Chi Min and Monkey Hands finishing in Whistler Village. "We practiced on dry trails well before the race, so when the rain came, it changed everything," says first place winner Gee Atherton. "You had to pick new lines and just go for it." Gee Atherton (UK), grabbed first with a time of 14:20.4; second place was Sam Hill (Aus), with a time of 14:37.8; third place went to Marc Beaumont (UK), with a time of 14.44.6 and fourth place went to Dan Atherton (UK), with a time of 14:50.0. "This was not an easy track to begin with and the weather made it even tougher," say Sam Hill, second place in this year's Monster Energy DH. "I had a crash in the middle of the course and one of my shoes came off, I had to stay strong and keep motivated to make up the time." The top rider in the women's category was Rachel Atherton (UK), with a time of 16:48.9; Fionn Griffiths (UK), took second place with a time of 17:25.1; Denise Uyesuqi (CAN), took third place with a time of 18:32.7; and Whistler local Rebecca McQueen took fourth with a time of 18:41.9. "This course is like three times as long as what I'm use to on the world cup", says Rachel Atherton, first place winner in the women's category. "You really need to stay focused on such a long, hard course." The Monster Energy Garbanzo DH was the highlight of day 2 at Kokanee Crankworx 2008. Day 3 includes the Womenzworx Dirt Series, women only mountain bike clinics taking place in the Whistler Mountain Bike Park as well as more live music on the TELUS MainStage featuring Flash Lightnin playing an extended set from 4pm-5:45pm For more event results and live webcasts of the Monster Energy Slopestyle, VW Trick Showdown and the "Giant Slalom" check out www.crankworx.com PHOTOS: Yorick Carroux