The week of the World Championships can be a very tough week indeed on the best athletes in the world. Everything needs to come together, physically, mentally and equipment wise to make this once-in-a-year opportunity reach its maximum potential.
For Trek World Racing, which had all 6 of its athletes qualified for the World Championships, the results were mixed. Tracy Moseley however was literally the silver lining to a tough week, bringing home the silver medal in the Women's Downhill. Having won here at this venue last year during the World Cup, Tracy was a little disappointed not to have won, but was philosophical all the same.
"When I crossed the line I actually thought I'd be moving into the hot seat. My run was that solid. It's the first time in a long time that my race run was as solid as my training runs. I felt to be back on the form I had in South Africa at the beginning of the year. So when I saw that Emmeline (Ragot) was in the hot seat and I hadn't moved to first, sure I was gutted. But overall, I honestly feel that I didn't lose a world title today, Emmeline won it. I was beaten fair and square, but I felt great on my entire run, and sometimes that's just as important, to put in a run you can be happy with".
In the Men's Downhill Justin Leov finished 8th, just 7/100ths of a second from 6th. Last year here at the World Cup he finished 15th, so the change to a new bike, and running the new Q-Project number plate mount, all helped.
"I know if I'd finished outside of the top 10 today I would have been really bummed, so I can't complain about the improvement I made to 8th, and to be so close to the top 5. But to be honest, I came here for more. I'm really happy with all that I've learned in testing and racing these past weeks, and can't wait to put more of it into practice. My father was here to watch me race, and that means a lot as it doesn't happen often. I'm stoked for Tracy to see her on the podium, but gutted for Andrew with his fractured hand. He had so much promise for this track."
Andrew Neethling was out of action due to a training accident on Wednesday, fracturing the knuckle of his ring finger on his right hand, in 3 places. He attempted to train and even started the compulsory timed session on Friday, but the injury was too severe. His aim now is to receive treatment with the view to racing in Schladming (AUT) in 2 weeks time for the World Cup Finals.
In Men's Elite XC yesterday, Liam and Lukas took to the line for the 7 laps, 2 hour race. Unfortunately Luk had picked up a stomach virus which had been going through the Swiss National Team and meant he'd been vomiting for the 2 days prior to the event. He valiantly started and was in the top 10 for the first two laps but eventually dropped back to 43rd by race end. Liam circulated in the 40's the whole race, ending up 41st, struggling with the colder conditions. The race, while held in sunny conditions, was never above 15 degrees Celsius.
Luk's younger brother Mathias raced on Friday in the Under 23 category and was recovering from a poor start to be as high as 4th place and looking strong for a medal when his rear derailleur broke. On the third lap he came into the Tech Area to have the part changed and returned in 22nd place. Mathias chased hard and managed to get up to 14th but was obviously devastated to have lost his chance at a medal.
The team flies directly to Europe for Round 7 of the UCI World Cup for XC in Champery, Switzerland, and then the following week all 6 riders will be in Schladming for the World Cup finals.
Women's Downhill:
1. Emmeline Ragot (FRA) 2m 50.05secs GOLD
2. Tracy Moseley (Trek World Racing) 2m 52.54secs SILVER
3. Kathy Pruitt (USA) 2m 54.89secs BRONZE
Men's Downhill:
1. Steve Peat (GBR) 2m 20.33secs GOLD
2. Greg Minnaar (RSA) 2m 30.38secs SILVER
3. Mick Hannah (AUS) 2m 31.02secs BRONZE
8. Justin Leov (Trek World Racing) 2m 34.32secs
Men's Elite XC:
1. Nino Schurter (SUI) 2h 04m 39secs GOLD
2. Julien Absalon (FRA) 2h 04m 42secs SILVER
3. Florian Vogel (SUI) 2h 05m 37secs BRONZE
41. Liam Killeen (Trek World Racing) 2h 15m 55secs
43. Lukas Flueckiger (Trek World Racing) 2h 16m 17secs
Men's U23 XC:
1. Burry Stander (RSA) 1h 47m 26secs GOLD
2. Alexis Vuillermoz (FRA) 1h 48m 47secs SILVER
3. Thomas Litscher (SUI) 1h 49m 12secs BRONZE
14. Mathias Flueckiger (Trek World Racing) 1h 55m 41secs
www.trekbikes.com/twr
