Peat first in qualifier at Vigo World Cup DH in Spain

Santa Cruz Syndicate's Steve Peat wins the qualification race at the UCI World Cup Series downhill event held in the seaside city of Vigo, Spain. Steve tested himself and the field, as he was the first rider to roll down the hill kicking off the first race of the series. Steve says, "It's good to get the first qualifying run of the season out of the way and to take my new Santa Cruz V-10 into top spot. It's a bit weird having qualifer on Saturday before the final on Sunday, but qualifier is always strange at the first World Cup because you don't know how fast you're going, or the others until then. They changed a fair bit of the track from last year. It got rough through practice then the track settled in for qualifying." Nathan Rennie found the track short, but rough and challenging. Rennie's run was enough for 12th place, but said he rode sketchy and not committed. "I had a crash in practice today that rattled me a little bit, but I was okay. I just had a hard time concentrating and getting power to the track. After three years you’d think Vigo would get easier, but it doesn’t." said Rennie. "Everyone underestimates the track at Vigo. It looks easy when you walk it, and when you ride it there are a lot of things that can throw you off line, and the consequences are tough here. A lot of people get hurt here. I hit a tree yesterday," said Peat. (Rachel Atherton broke her arm yesterday in downhill practice). Qualified racers prepare for tomorrow’s final, with rain in the forecast. PRO MEN SEMI-FINAL RESULTS: 1. PEAT Steve SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 1:30.28 2:31.39 2. VAZQUEZ LOPEZ David MSC BIKES 1:31.14 2:32.47 +1.07 40 3. MINNAAR Greg TEAM G-CROSS HONDA 1:33.19 2:34.58 +3.18 30 4. HANNAH Michael CANNONDALE THE CUT 1:33.54 2:34.85 +3.45 25 5. ATHERTON Dan GBRANIMAL COMMENCAL 1:33.35 2:35.09 +3.69 20 6. HILL Samuel IRON HORSE / MONSTER ENER 1:32.26 2:35.89 +4.49 17 7. ATHERTON Gee ANIMAL COMMENCAL 1:33.21 2:36.20 +4.80 15 8. GRACIA Cédric 1:33.86 2:36.40 +5.00 13 9. POLC Filip GRAVITY GROUP 1:35.36 2:36.43 +5.03 12 10. BLENKINSOP Samuel GRAVITY GROUP 1:34.11 2:36.49 +5.09 11 11. KOVARIK Chris MS-INTENSE FACTORY-RACING 1:33.44 2:36.70 +5.30 12. RENNIE Nathan SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 1:33.64 2:36.87 +5.47 9 www.santacruzmtb.com