Matti & J.D. at the US Open of Mountain Biking

Last weekend Matti Lehikoinen and J.D. Swanguen represented the colors of the MS-Intense Factory-Racing team at the U.S. Open of Mountain Biking. In a first-class field of UCI World Cup contenders both riders had to dig deep to persist. And so they did. While J.D. got second in the Dual Slalom race, only beaten by Aussie Jared Rando, Matti came in on 4th place in the men's elite downhill final at Diablo Freeride Park. Considering the fact that this is still one of Matti's very early competitive races after returning from a career-threatening injury he is improving great and should be a rider to watch out for during the upcoming UCI MTB World Cup round No.2 in Vallnord, Andorra. There the complete MS-Intense Factory-Racing team will be present again. U.S. Open Final Results: 1. Steve Smith (CAN) 2:36.737 2. Sam Hill (AUS) 2:37.326 3. Bryn Atkinson (AUS) 2:38.603 4. Matti Lehikoinen (FIN) 2:41.011 5. Andrew Neethling (RSA) 2:41.430 6. Filip Polc (SVK) 2:41.519 7. Brendan Fairclough (UK) 2:41.691 8. Geritt Beytgah (USA) 2:42.280 9. Amiel Cavalier (AUS) 2:42.641 10. Jurgen Beneke (GER) 2:42.783 To watch some footage from the downhill practice go to www.freecaster.tv www.ms-racing.at