Gee and Rachel Atherton winners of the Maxxis Cup in Gouveia

The Atherton (Animal Començal) siblings have been the winners of the first race of the Maxxis Cup International 2008, which took place in Gouveia (Portugal). The last weekend about 430 participants were there competing in the first race of this Championship. Among them we could see the best riders of all over the world like the Atherton siblings (Gee, Dan and Rachel), Marc Beaumont (Bike Radar), Brendan Fairclough (Monster Energy), Cedric Gracia (F.C.O), Mickael Pasckal (MSC Bikes), the Spanish Ivan Oulego and Pascual Canals (Massi), Bernat Guardia (MSC Bikes)... During Saturday training session the sun was shinning and it was very warm but on Sunday the race began with rain followed of strong wind. During the first 10 minutes of the second run the race had to be stopped because it started hailing. Nevertheless the riders did a good job in a 3km of length circuit and they jumped incredibly well in the final jump. Only 150 riders passed to the final run and the Atherton (Animal Començal) were first and second in the podium. The French, Cedric Gracia (FCO) was third. Bernat Guardia (MSC Bikes) was the best Spanish rider being in fourth position. In women, we could see three British riders in the podium: Rachel Atherton, in first place, Helen Gaskell (Team Halfords Bikehut) in second place and Katy Curd in third place. In junior there were some records and some of them were between the 20 first riders in scratch classification. The British Joshua Bryceland and Sam Dale standed out and the Spanish Antonio Ferreiro did also a good job. Danny Hart, being the last year winner in cadet, was in fourth place. Next Maxxis Cup race will take place in Vigo (Spain), June the 15th. ELITE MEN 1. Gee Atherton 2. Dan Atherton 3. Cedric Gracia ELITE WOMEN 1.Rachel Atherton www.fullevent.com