Round 3 of the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup is done and dusted, with Team Monster Energy Iron Horse's Sam Hill (AUS) retaining the World Cup Series lead after yet another podium performance, taking 5th.
Team mate Brendan Fairclough (GBR), still suffering a shoulder injury from the previous week in Andorra, finished 23rd.
For the first time in the 6 World Cup visits to the Nevis Range course, riders experienced a dry track that had seen little rain in the winter months, and therefore a track that was getting blown apart and devolving into a super rough track by the hour. The track raced on for the semi finals was not the track raced on for the finals as holes got bigger and corners got blown out.
For the semi final Sam was once again needing to chase World Cup points as the early part of the season sets the tone for the second half, and every point counts.
"My semi run was good and smooth but I probably didn't push quite hard enough in the pedalling sections. I was wanting to save some legs for the finals."
For Brendan, the semi gave him a good opportunity to check out how his shoulder would hold up for the final, on clearly one of the most physical courses in the world.
"I'm pretty stoked actually. 39th doesn't sound great, but with the shoulder the way it is, I wasn't even sure I could ride it fast. I was a little cautious because I wanted to keep the shoulder in one piece for the afternoon!"
The crowds lined the track and filled the finish area in typical Fort William fashion. Nowhere in the world are the fans more knowledgeable and vocal about their downhill racing. Broadcast live all over the world on various web sites, the drama started to unfold. Brendan came down nearly an hour before Sam, and had time to join the commentators over at Freecaster, and said the following:
"My run went alright. I've got a slightly separated shoulder and to be honest I'm just happy to be riding here after last week's crash. This is such a rough track, a real man's track. I'm heading home after this to get a week of physio in so I'm right for the worlds."
Sam had a decent finals run, but was disappointed in how he rode, possibly over-riding some sections, and never really getting into a groove. Having won a World Cup, and his World Title on this track, he came in with higher expectations for the finals. When he crossed the line, local favourite Steve Peat was in the hotseat, and remained there for the time being.
"After the semi I tried to attack a bit more in the finals but it ended up about the same, so I'm a bit disappointed with a 5th, but happy to head out of this round with the leader's jersey."
The team heads to Pila to prepare the new bikes for the World Championships, ride some XC, and generally relax a little after a rigorous travelling schedule that's taken them thousands of miles over the past few weeks. Brendan will spend the week having physical therapy at home and join the team on Monday. Both riders are very much looking forward to the World Champs and plan to bring their "A" game to Val Di Sole.
Final:
1. Greg Minnaar (RSA) 4m 43.52secs
2. Gee Atherton (GBR) 4m 46.69secs
3. Steve Peat (GBR) 4m 47.42secs
4. Nathan Rennie (AUS) 4m 48.19secs
5. Sam Hill (AUS) Team Monster Energy Iron Horse 4m 48.70secs
23. Brendan Fairclough (GBR) Team Monster Energy Iron Horse 4m 58.89s
Overall Points:
1. Sam Hill (AUS) Team Monster Energy Iron Horse - 570 pts
2. Gee Atherton (GBR) - 557 pts
3. Greg Minnaar (RSA) - 542 pts
4. Steve Peat (GBR) - 495 pts
5. Julien Camellini (FRA) - 301 pts
Team Monster Energy Iron Horse is also sponsored by: Mad Catz, Game Shark, Air Drives, RockShox, SRAM, Avid, FUNN, Maxxis, DT Swiss, FSA, Crank Brothers, WTB, e.thirteen, DW Link, Troy Lee Designs, Minoura, Maxima, Obtainium Performance Products, Five-Ten, Freestyle Watches, THE, Alligator, Yamaha of Troy, KMC and Kicker.
More info:
www.madcatzracing.com
