Carpenter and Hart take the HSBC UK | National Downhill Series spoils at spectacular Fort William

Carpenter and Hart take the HSBC UK | National Downhill Series spoils at spectacular Fort William

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Manon Carpenter and Danny Hart were the big winners on a weekend of mixed fortunes for all the riders in the second round of the HSBC UK | National Downhill Series.

The competition headed to Fort William and a much-loved, world-class venue in the spectacular setting of the Highlands of Scotland.

It is considered to be pinnacle for all downhillers and, with a World Cup being held here in just a couple of weeks, Sunday's racing attracted a lot of World Cup-class riders providing some thrilling action.

With Rachel Atherton missing from race day, the gauntlet was laid down for Carpenter to seize - looking to make the most of being top seeding in the previous day's practice run.

However close rival Tahnee Seagrave, keen to put the disappointing opening round in Wales far behind her, pushed Carpenter close to the wire with just a second separating the pair.

But it was Carpenter who took the slim win, though Seagrave was still more than delighted to get a great finish to launch her HSBC UK | National Downhill Series campaign.

Hart meanwhile had to do things the hard way, continuing his run of bad luck in the seeding run as a front puncture placed him in 35th slot.

However, he is a man that certainly knows how to bounce back and once again pulled out all the stops taking his second win of the series a nearly two seconds clear of Loic Bruni, shaving a meaty five seconds from his previous winning time at Fort William last year.

Unfortunately it was a day of reversed fortunes for rival Gee Atherton, as the top seeded rider wiped out.

Meanwhile in the HSBC UK | National Downhill Series Juniors, Joe Breeden had to concede the top spot to Finn Iles, resigning himself to second place, seven seconds adrift.

While in the junior women Mille Johnset claimed victory with a three-second advantage over Valentina Holl.

Results

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2017 HSBC UK | National DH Series | R2 Fort William