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Gee Atherton World Champ!!



1) Waking up the morning of the Race, did you envision being the World Champ?


I did for sure yes. The world champs is such a prestigious title, everyone pushes that little bit harder for it. You have to really feel like you belong in the race to be able to win.


2) What was the last thing you thought about before leaving the Start House?


Just how good I look in a skin suit...


3) When you crossed the finish line, did you know you’d won?


Yeah but there is always that split second when you cross the line when you don’t know, and that is an incredible feeling, so much tension and build up, then as soon as you realize you've done it., it is a massive feeling of relief.


4) Do you have any superstitions before you race?


I used to have loads of them, but now its more just a case of having a routine because I know it works... although I never put my helmet on before I put my gloves on....


5) Who would you like to Thank?


I like to say thanks to all my sponsors who have been supporting me all year, and also the rest of the team. World champs is always a mega intense week, and I think it puts a lot of pressure on everyone, so a big thanks to the mechanics, Team manager Dan Brown and my Dad Simon who was out there with us. You guys were the s#%*!




 

Check out this cool side by side video analysis of Gee's and Sam's World championship runs, done by Freecaster.tv


 


The Olympics are Coming...

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Check it Out!!!

Elite Women

http://www.uci.ch/UciDoc/MTB/2008/CM...SEEDINGRUN.pdf



Elite Men

http://www.uci.ch/UciDoc/MTB/2008/CM...SEEDINGRUN.pdf



Junior men

http://www.uci.ch/UciDoc/MTB/2008/CM...SEEDINGRUN.pdf



Junior women

http://www.uci.ch/UciDoc/MTB/2008/CM...SEEDINGRUN.pdf

Rumor has it that Dan Atherton of the famous Atherton Family, has broken his collarbone in a DH Training crash.  Dan has already won a UCI World Cup 4X this year, and was one of the favorites for the World Championships. 


Heal up quick Dan! 


Loop'd MTB

After shoulder surgery in the off season, Greg Minnaar has been on a steady pace back to the top.  This weekend he's officially back!  He takes the win over Steve Peat, Nathan Rennie, and reigning World Champ Sam Hill.


Congrats to Greg, and the Santa Cruz Syndicate Team! 


Loop'd MTB

Jared Graves of the Factory YETI / Fox Racing team has just won the 4X at UCI race in Ft. William.  This is Jared's 1st MTB race this season, after contesting all of the UCI BMX races.  He's also just qualified to be on the Australian Olympic BMX Team!



Congrats to Jared! 


 

 



June 2, 2008


On Sunday Sam Blenkinsop (Yeti/Fox Factory Team) took his first ever step onto the World Cup podium with a classy ride in Round 2 of the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Vallnord, Andorra. Sam became only the 2nd New Zealand male DH rider to do so, following on from Justin Leov who also finished fifth back in 2005 at Angel Fire (USA).



Now team mates, the two kiwis trained well all week on the course but it was clear that the two and half minute track was a little more to "Blinky's" liking. The team used their own timing equipment throughout the week and Sam was showing speed on all sections of the course and recording times that were within range of a win.



Following on from his showing on the World's course in Italy, at the test event last month where Sam qualified fastest and finished 7th, he was widely tipped in the paddock as the next rider to stand on the podium for the first time. Sam was pretty stoked by the whole thing.



"I was way nervous backstage at the podium, getting up on the box for the first time, there was heaps of press. I could get used to this though, I'm really happy to do it for Yeti and Fox in my first year on the team. The track was mean as, and I pretty much enjoyed training on it all the time. The top section of corners was pretty sweet and I got the bottom section dialled later on, so even though I made a mistake in the semi, running wide and hooking up on a tree, I knew what I had to do in the final. I like Fort William too so I'm keen for the next race".



After a unanimous petition from the top riders in the world after the 1st round in Maribor, the UCI returned to the 5 rider podium, and not a 3 rider one.



Sam's podium result also moves him into 9th overall in the World Cup, just 2 points behind his team mate Justin Leov.





Semi Final Results:



1. Gee Atherton (GBR) 2:41.63

2. Sam Hill (AUS) 2:43.31

3. Fabien Barel (FRA) 2:43.44

4. Steve Peat (GBR) 2:43.98

5 Steve Smith (CAN) 2:44.98

7. Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) 2:45.25





Final Results:



1. Gee Atherton (GBR) 2:35.35

2. Sam Hill (AUS) 2:35.66

3. Greg Minnaar (RSA) 2:36.73

4. Steve Peat (GBR) 2:37.49

5. Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) 2:38.71