Lopes' Final World Cup ends on the Podium

Nuzzled in the the middle of the Pyrenees mountains, Vallnord's breathtaking mountainous views set the ultimate back drop for this years second 4X World Cup. After a couple of days of unexpected and welcomed sunshine, the 4X racers were not so lucky the day of the race. The weather proved to have taken a toll on the already wet and moist dirt that made up the course. The complications were obvious, as the Vallnord/UCI crew laid out rubber mats on the first straight way and filled some jumps at the bottom of the course with cement, in efforts to move forward with the race. While Brian shared the challenge of the weather along with everyone else, he also needed to overcome the 11th qualifying spot he had earned the day before, which limited his choice of race lane. Banking on his formidable starts, Lopes made it out of heat 16, 24 and 28 unscathed. Then in things began to get complicated, as he found himself in loaded semi-final with D. Atherton (#2 qualifier), K. Tartakovic and Q. Derbier, Brian made it through along with D.Atherton to the finals. As the gate dropped for the final and deciding race, Lopes once again lead the pack down the first straight, as the race progressed Atherton made a clean move on Lopes which earned him the lead and the win. Congratulations Dan on his first 4X win! MEN'S RESULTS 1. Dan ATHERTON (ENG) 2. Brian LOPES (USA) 3. Guido TSCHUGG (GER) For more information go to www.brianlopes.com