The first half of the cross-country Olympic series of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano concluded in La Bresse, France, with new faces on the top step of the podium for the first time this season.
Jolanda Neff (Stoeckli Pro Team), the defending UCI World Cup Champion, took the women's victory after coming back from a flat tyre. Canadian riders took the next two spots, with Catharine Pendrel (Luna) second, and Emily Batty (Trek Factory) third.
Julien Absalon (BMC) had a very popular win in the men's race on what is essentially his hometown course. It is Absalon's 31st World Cup win, as he continues to add to his record number. He was joined by two countrymen on the next two steps of the podium, with Maxime Marotte (BH-SR Suntour-KMC) and Victor Koretzky (BH-SR Suntour-KMC) taking second and third.
Annika Langvad (Specialized), the winner of the first two rounds, continues to lead the women's UCI World Cup standings, but her gap over Pendrel has shrunk to 66 points. Nino Schurter (Scott-Odlo) also holds onto his leader's jersey in the men's competition, but his lead over Absalon is reduced to 40 points.
[YOUTUBE ID="lGFmU4Tlg6A"]
[YOUTUBE ID="SCfBLRUQcBM"]
Fort William, Scotland DHI #3 > June 4-5
Where to watch?
The races will be broadcasted live on our website and on Red Bull TV :
DHI Women/Men > 05.06.2016 / 13:30 – 15:30 GMT
All live broadcasts can be watched worldwide and without geo-blocking.
Women
1. Rachel Atherton (GBR) 2. Tahnee Seagrave (GBR) 3. Emmeline Ragot (FRA)
Men
1. Greg Minnaar (RSA) 2. Aaron Gwin (USA) 3. Marcelo Gutierrez Villegas (COL)
… Fort William UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
Fort William is one of the longest and most physically demanding downhill runs on the UCI World Cup circuit. Starting high on the face of Aonach Mor, the 9th highest mountain in the UK, the course descends 555 metres over 2.8 kilometres. The fast top section of the course is framed by stunning views of Ben Nevis, the sea lochs of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, and the islands of the Inner Hebrides. Riders must contend with rock gardens, rock slabs, big jumps and technical natural sections before the final jump into the finish bowl. Weather can also play a factor, particularly on the open expanse at the top of the course, where wind and rain (and even some snow flurries in 2015) often make an appearance.
Rachel Atherton (28) is Downhill UCI World Champion and defending UCI World Cup Champion. She has 28 World Cup victories to her name, including both rounds held thus far in 2016. Atherton has won four overall UCI World Cup titles and four UCI World Championship titles (1 Junior, 3 Elite). Twice victorious in Fort William (2013, 2015), she races on the same team (Trek Factory Racing) as brothers Gee and Dan.
Key Results
1st Junior DHI UCI World Championships (2005) 1st Elite DHI UCI World Championships (2008, 2012, 2013, 2015) 1st Overall DHI UCI World Cup (2008, 2012, 2013, 2015) 28 DHI UCI World Cup victories 1st European Championships (2005, 2006)
On the 31th of May we are 65 days from the Olympic Games in Rio.
[TWITTER ID="https://twitter.com/ShimanoMTB/status/736921597592895488"]