Report: Dan Claims Third in 4-Cross Final
Fort William World Cup
4-Cross Finals - Friday 6 June 2008
Images & Words: Joolze Dymond
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Big crowds, sunshine and the world's top 4-cross riders!
The Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Fort William kicked off on Friday with a spectacular show of speed, strength and victory, as Lochaber witnessed an extraordinarily scorching day at the Nevis Range. Fighting for glory, as thousands of spectators and fellow riders watched on in excitement, an ecstatic Jared Graves (AUS) battled home to secure his World Cup Title in this evening's 4X Final.
Joolze Dymond writes: 7.30 last night taking advantage of the extraordinary weather, the 4X races got under way. Dan Atherton keen to repeat his performance at Andorra the previous week was on top form as he wowed the crowds with a confident display of bikemanship as he cruised to the finals. Scott Beaumont, will Longden and Lewis Lacey made it to the quarter finals but no further, finally ending up in the top 20.
Jared Graves tops the men's podium - L to R: Prokop, Wichman, Graves, Atherton, Tschugg
The four riders making it through to contest the final were no.1 Jared Graves, Joost Wichiman, Michal Prokop and of course GB's Dan Atherton. Graves got the hot start and led from the gate, with Atherton doing his best to get back on terms. 4-Cross legend Prokop crashed out, leaving just the 3 to fight it out, but Graves didn't make a mistake and took the win. Behind him, a tired Atherton fought hard for second, but couldn't quite make it and conceded the runner-up spot to Wichiman.
Jared Graves leads comfortably in the men's final
In the Women's race, GB interest was in Ffion Griffiths and Charlie Phillips. Despite a good showing Griffiths couldn't quite match her ride from the previous week and only made it to the 1/4 finals, taking 9th overall with Phillips coming home in 16th. Celebrating her first victory, a delighted Jana Horakova (CZE) battled it out against the other close contenders to take first place in the women's 4X Final. Coming in behind Jana, Rachel Seydoux (SUI) and Anneke Beerten (NED) a came second and third, as they braved the berms and jumps at one world's toughest courses.
Women's podium L to R: Buhl, Seydoux, Horakova, Beerten, Labounkova
Following the awards ceremony Jared Graves said; "I haven't won here for a couple of years. I love this course but it's always hated me. With so many quick guys you never know what's going to happen, so to get the win is just great."
Commenting on his third place, Dan Atherton said; "I'm totally stoked with third position - all I wanted was to get to the final. It was a really tough final and I knew the other guys' game was good, but the fans have done an amazing job and I'm really happy with third."
Following the awards ceremony Jana Horakova (CZE) said, "This is my first victory and I'm absolutely delighted. It's my fourth time at Fort William and the course here is perfect - the crowd has been amazing. I hoped to be on the podium and here I am!"
Results
Men
1 GRAVES Jared AUS
2 WICHMAN Joost NED
3 ATHERTON Dan GBR
4 PROKOP Michal CZE ---
5 TSCHUGG Guido GER ---
6 ALVAREZ DE LARA LUCAS Rafael ESP ---
7 FISCHBACH Johannes GER GHO
8 GRACIA Cðgic FRA CFO
Other GB
13 LACEY Lewis
15 BEAUMONT Scott
16 LONGDEN Will
22 WHITE Lee
27 FERRIS Duncan
28 CAMPBELL-JENNER Patrick
30 NORTON James
31 KERR Bernard
32 SIMMONDS Matthew
34 OGDEN Martin
35 EVANS William
36 RICHARDSON Dave
40 WILSON James
Women
1 HORAKOVA Jana CZE
2 SEYDOUX Rachel SUI
3 BEERTEN Anneke NED
4 BUHL Melissa USA
5 LABOUNKOVA Romana CZE
6 SUEMASA Mio JPN
7 MOLCIK Anita AUT
8 HUNTINGTON Sarsha AUS
other GB
9 GRIFFITHS Fionn GBR
16 PHILLIPS Charlie GBR