MTB News & Racing Round-up, July 22, 2010

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Date published:

July 23, 2010, 23:02

Edited by Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

Welcome to our regular roundup of what's happening in mountain biking. Feel free to send feedback, news, & releases to mtb@cyclingnews.com and results, reports & photos to cyclingnews@cyclingnews.com.

• Mountain Bike World Cup returns to action in Champéry

  

  Article published:

  July 22, 2010, 20:40

  By:

  Rob Jones

  Cross country and downhill racers get a preview of 2011 worlds

  After a one-month break, the second half of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup restarts in Champéry, Switzerland, with a double event: cross country and downhill. This Alpine village will play host to the World Championships next year so, in addition to wanting to perform well in the World Cup, riders will be anxious to check out the courses for 2011.

  The cross country happens on Sunday. The circuit has been slightly modified from the one used last year, with a short steep climb and sharp descent added in the first half of the circuit. The riders still face the long climb that opens the second half of the course, but they do not go as high as previously.

  The rain that has been falling during training has made the new climb and descent quite tricky, according to women's World Cup leader Catharine Pendrel (Luna).

  "I think it is actually harder than last year. There are two climbs [per lap] now, and the first one is slippery in the wet. The dropoff that follows it has only one line, and if you miss it you are in trouble."

  Canada's Pendrel, who won the last round in Offenburg, Germany, will be looking to extend her lead in the World Cup standings, but she will face a number of challengers. American Willow Koerber (Subaru-Trek) is anxious to take back the leader's jersey after a sub-par performance in Offenburg. Other challengers include World Champion Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon) and last year's winner at Champéry, Elisabeth Osl (Central Pro). The top six women are separated by only 100 points, so it is quite likely that the winner in Champéry will be the World Cup leader going into the next round.

  On the men's side, the World Cup is becoming a battle between series leader Julien Absalon (Orbea) and World Champion Nino Schurter (Scott-Swisspower) the pair are separated by only 40 points, and if either wins in Champéry, he will probably don the leader's jersey. Other podium contenders include Jose Hermida (Multivan Merida) and newly crowned European champion Jaroslav Kulhavy (Rubena Birell Specialized).

  The downhill course is returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2007. It has already become renown as the steepest course on the international circuit, with sections approaching a 75 percent grade. Organizers have named it "Dérup", which means "little steep path". Despite the steepness, it is technical enough to slow the riders down, and a clean run is hard to achieve. 

  Sabrina Jonnier (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) leads the women's series by a healthy 140 points over Floriane Pugin (Scott 11). Rachel Atherton (Commencal), the winner of round one in Fort William, Scotland, would usually be expected to battle neck and neck with Jonnier, but the British rider is out of action for the next two World Cups after a crash in the third round at Leogang, Austria, where she re-injured the shoulder that ended her season last year.

  In the men's series, Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz) holds a 73-point lead over Gee Atherton (Commencal), with third placed rider Aaron Gwin (Yeti Fox Shox) 250 points behind and out of contention for the World Cup lead. Perennial favourite Sam Hill (Monster Energy Specialized), who won the qualifying and finished third in the finals at Champéry the last time the downhill was held here in 2007, is out for most of the season with a shoulder injury suffered in round two.

  The action begins on Friday with downhill qualifying, followed by the downhill finals on Saturday, before concluding on Sunday with the cross country.

• Stetina spends his summer break racing off road

  

  Article published:

  July 22, 2010, 16:04

  By:

  Sue George, Mountain Bike Editor

  Pro roadie earns podium spot at US mountain bike nationals

  Road racer Peter Stetina has been enjoying a break from pro road circuit during the month of July, but he hasn't been sitting on the couch. The Garmin-Transitions rider took to the start line at the US Mountain Bike National Championships in Granby, Colorado, last weekend. When the dust had settled after the cross country race, he occupied the final podium spot.

  "It was fun," said Stetina to Cyclingnews of his medal-winning, fifth place ride, "but the only mountain bike races you'll see me at are the Firecracker 50 and the US Mountain Bike Nationals."  Stetina raced his mountain bike in Granby wearing the Tokyo Joes jersey.

  "As a road racer, you either have the top form of your life and you're at the Tour de France, or you have a summer break. For my summer break, I've got it written in my contract the wtih the team that I can come out and do a few mountain bike races if it doesn't conflict with my schedule and if it won't tweak anything with my training."

  When asked about his Garmin-Transitions team's performance at this year's Tour, Stetina said, "The team has had the worst luck in the Tour this year, but Ryder (Hesjedal) has shown that he's strong; he's another mountain biker. These mountain bikers, we're for real out here."

  "Our team is the best team with the best support. You can look for big things from the team in the Vuelta."

  Stetina would like to be on the team's roster for the Vuelta a España. "I'm on the long team, and I hope to be selected for the final team," he said. In the interim, he's got the Tour of Poland on his schedule and four races in Italy.

  The 22-year-old used to be a mountain biker. "I started on a mountain biking so coming to these two races is like going back to my roots. My first race was the 24 hours of Moab with a junior team. A soccer teammate had convinced me to do it, and the culture was so much fun."

  As Stetina got more competitive, he transitioned into road racing, in part because it suited his climbing abilities. "I started mountain bike racing when I was 14 and transitioned to the road at age 16, but I did both disciplines throughout my whole junior career."

  Stetina had to abandon the Firecracker 50 on July 4 when his bike broke on the final lap, but he had been mixing it up with the leaders. Both Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Sam Schultz (both Subaru-Trek) took notice of Stetina during the race saying he was "climbing like a maniac".

• 2010 Mountain Bike National Championships index page

  

  Article published:

  September 27, 2010, 14:20

  By:

  Cycling News

  Quick links to national championships around the globe

  Mountain Bike National Championships happen year-round depending on location and discipline, but a majority of the cross country championships, among countries in the northern hemisphere, happened on the weekend of July 17-18. 

  Furthermore, late September is when many nations hold their marathon national championships, as suggested by the UCI.

  Below is an updated index of 2010 National Championship coverage on Cyclingnews. Click on the appropriate link to access coverage for cross country, downhill, four cross and marathon disciplines.

  If you attend a national championship race over the coming weeks Cyclingnews would love to share your images with fans around the world; simply e-mail cyclingnews@cyclingnews.com with photos and captions, or if you spot any results we've missed.

  Austria: cross country, marathon
  Australia: cross country, short track, four cross & downhill, 24-hour solo, marathon
  Belgium: cross country, downhill and four cross, marathon
  Canada: downhill, cross country, four cross
  Costa Rica: cross country
  Croatia: cross country, downhill
  Cyprus: cross country
  Czech Republic: cross country, four cross
  Denmark: cross country, marathon
  Estonia: cross country, marathon
  Finland: downhill, cross country
  France: cross country, downhill and four cross, marathon
  Germany: downhill, cross country, marathon
  Great Britain: cross country, downhill, four cross, marathon
  Hong Kong: cross country & downhill
  Hungary: cross country, four cross, marathon
  Ireland: cross country, marathon
  Israel: cross country
  Italy: downhill, cross country, marathon
  Japan: cross country, downhill and four cross
  Lesotho: cross country
  Mexico: cross country
  Namibia: cross country
  Netherlands: cross country, marathon
  New Zealand: dual slalom, cross country, short track, downhill, hill climb & four cross, marathon, singlespeed
  Norway: cross country
  Poland: cross country
  Romania: cross country
  Russia: cross country
  Serbia: cross country
  Singapore: cross country
  Slovakia: cross country
  Slovenia: cross country
  South Africa: downhill, cross country
  Spain: cross country
  Sweden: cross country
  Switzerland: marathon, cross country, downhill and four cross
  Turkey: cross country
  Ukraine: cross country
  United States: marathon, cross country, downhill, four cross & super D
  Venezuela: cross country, downhill and four cross

• German Actor dies while at TransAlp

  

  Article published:

  July 21, 2010, 15:45

  By:

  Cycling News

  Racer found in hotel room

  German actor Heinrich Schmieder was found dead in his hotel room while participating in the TransAlp mountain bike stage race this week. He passed away sometime between Tuesday night, July 20 and Wednesday morning, July 21.

  "The organization and participants of the TransAlp are in mourning for Heinrich Schmieder," read a statement from organizers.

  Teammate Michael Goffin found the actor, who became famous in the role of a Tatort detective in Livigno on Wednesday morning. An emergency doctor, who was called immediately, was only able to record the death of the 40-year-old.

  "At the moment, we cannot give any more information concerning the time or the cause of death," said TransAlp Race Director Uli Stanciu.

  "We are shocked by this tragic information. Our deepest condolences are with Schmieder's family.

  Schmeider is survived by his wife and two children.

• Wells, Gould crowned US Pro XCT overall champions

  

  Article published:

  July 21, 2010, 15:08

  By:

  Cycling News

  Full standings from US national cross country series

  Earlier this month, the USA Cycling US Pro XCT series wrapped up at the fifth and final round of the series, the Sand Creek International Classic in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

  On the men's side, Todd Wells (Specialized) secured the overall series title with back-to-back podium finishes. He was third in that weekend's cross country race and won the short track race. Wells came into Colorado Springs 85 points ahead of Geoff Kabush (Maxxis) and cemented his series victory by winning both events he entered.

  The women's competition was less climactic, as Georgia Gould (Luna) cemented her position atop the final podium with a clean sweep of the weekend's three events, beginning with the stage 1 time trial. Gould was 115 points ahead of Willow Koerber (Subaru-Trek) before Sand Creek, and finished with a 45-point margin.

  Wells and Gould both followed up their Pro XCT series wins with victories June 17 in the cross country competitions at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships in Granby, Colorado.

  The final, full US Pro XCT standings are below.

  See Cyclingnews' full coverage of the Sand Creek International Classic.

  Full Results

  Elite men

  #	Rider Name (Country) Team	Result
  1	Todd Wells	565	pts
  2	Geoff Kabush	495
  3	Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski	470
  4	Sam Schultz	395
  5	Max Plaxton	310
  6	Carl Decker	270
  7	Burry Stander	200
  8	Spencer Paxton	162
  9	Ryan Trebon	161
  10	Sid Taberlay	152
  11	Ryan Woodall	151
  12	Troy Wells	150
  13	Derek Zandstra	145
  14	Jeremiah Bishop	142
  15	Barry Wicks	140
  16	Benjamin Sonntag	127
  17	Christoph Sauser	125
  18	Russell Finsterwald	123
  19	Roel Paulisson	120
  20	Manuel Fumic	115
  21	Colin Cares	90
  22	Marco Fontana	90
  23	Adam Morka	90
  24	Bryan Alders	86
  25	Chris Sheppard	85
  26	Kris Sneddon	80
  27	Michael Broderick	78
  28	Andy Schultz	74
  29	Adam Craig	71
  30	Stephen Ettinger	69
  31	Conrad Stoltz	65
  32	Ignacio Torres	65
  33	Travis Livermon	63
  34	Dana Weber	62
  35	Kalan Beisel	60
  36	Raphael Gagne	60
  37	Jason Sager	60
  38	Eric Batty	55
  39	Lachlan Norris	50
  40	Robert Marion	47
  41	Lucas Brusseau	45
  42	Tristan Schouten	45
  43	Aaron Elwell	43
  44	Kevin Kane	41
  45	Jonathan Page	40
  46	Tristan Uhl	40
  47	Travis Woodruff	40
  48	Peter Glassford	39
  49	Brady Kappius	35
  50	Thomas Turner	35
  51	Michael McCalla	34
  52	Craig Richey	30
  53	Rob Squire	30
  54	Kerry Werner	30
  55	Darrin Braun	22
  56	Rotem Ishay	22
  57	Mitchell Hoke	21
  58	Matthew Beaton	20
  59	Will Black	20
  60	Greg Carpenter	20
  61	Ken Onodera	20
  62	Nate Whitman	17
  63	Tad Elliott	16
  64	Peter Ostroski	16
  65	David Hanes	15
  66	Simon Lalancette	15
  67	Jack Hinkins	13
  68	Blake Zumbrunner	13
  69	Justin Lindine	12
  70	Nathan Guerra	11
  71	Max Knox	11
  72	Vincent Lombardi	11
  73	Joe Schneider	11
  74	Sebastian Cadieux-Duval	10
  75	Wesley Lamberson	10
  76	Bryan Fawley	9
  77	Scott Frederick	9
  78	Stefan Widmer	9
  79	Sean Babcock	8
  80	Francis Morin	8
  81	Rich Weis	8
  82	Rick Wetherald	7
  83	Macky Franklin	6
  84	Jeff Herrara	6
  85	Simon Jensen	6
  86	Doug Johnson	6
  87	Brian Matter	6
  88	Alexander Grant	5
  89	Brendan Moore	5
  90	Len Zanni	5
  91	Tinker Juarez	4
  92	John Bennett	3
  93	Sondre Norland	3
  94	Will Patterson	3
  95	Aaron Snyder	3
  96	Jason Young	3
  97	Matt Gordon	1
  98	Bryan Mickiewicz	1

  Elite women

  #	Rider Name (Country) Team	Result
  1	Georgia Gould	580	pts
  2	Willow Koerber	535
  3	Heather Irmiger	380
  4	Kelli Emmett	335
  5	Pua Sawicki	305
  6	Amy Dombroski	290
  7	Lene Byberg	270
  8	Aleksandra Mooradian	248
  9	Chloe Forsman	230
  10	Katherine Compton	210
  11	Allison Mann	200
  12	Katerina Nash	187
  13	Sue Butler	175
  14	Emily Batty	170
  15	Amanda Carey	155
  16	Judy Freeman	139
  17	Krista Park	136
  18	Catherine Pendrel	135
  19	Amanda Sin	130
  20	Mary McConneloug	115
  21	Bryna Blanchard	106
  22	Alice Pennington	90
  23	Kimberly Flynn	75
  24	Alison Powers	75
  25	Melanie McQuaid	70
  26	Jennifer Smith	66
  27	Kathy Sherwin	62
  28	Mical Dyck	60
  29	Jenna Rinehart	60
  30	Diedre York	57
  31	Danae York	53
  32	Anina Aaron	50
  33	Christina Smith	50
  34	Erin Disterheft	47
  35	Nina Baum	40
  36	Shae Rainer	40
  37	Meghan Korol	38
  38	Michelle Bellamy	37
  39	Abby Strigel	35
  40	Linnea Koons	33
  41	Lizzy English	30
  42	Lisa Hudson	30
  43	Sonya Looney	28
  44	Rebecca Rusch	26
  45	Lydia Tanner	26
  46	Rebecca Beaumont	25
  47	Susan Stephens	22
  48	Molly Throdahl	22
  49	Joele Guynup	20
  50	Andreanne Pichette	20
  51	Holly Liske	18
  52	Keri Studley	17
  53	Wan Lin Chang	16
  54	Anna Fortner	15
  55	Christina Betz	14
  56	Susan Juedes	12
  57	Philicia Marion	11
  58	Timari Pruis	11

• Rachel Atherton out for upcoming European World Cups

  

  Article published:

  July 21, 2010, 10:21

  By:

  Cycling News

  British racer looks toward World Championships

  Having suffered a dislocated shoulder during her race run at round 3 of the downhill World Cup series in Leogang, Austria, Rachel Atherton (Commencal) has opted to miss the next two World Cup rounds in favour of strengthening her shoulder ahead for this year's World Championships.  She will sit out this weekend's racing in Champery, Switzerland, and next weekend's racing in Val di Sole, Italy.

  "Things seem rather clear to me at the moment, I guess that when big things happen, everything drops into a rather more grounded perspective, and so it was with a clear, if somewhat sepia head that I decided it would be in my best interests not to race," said Atherton, writing in her personal blog via the Athertons' website.

  Atherton's shoulder has made great progress since her crash in Austria but with the forthcoming World Cups both being held on technical, gnarly tracks, it was too much of a risk for her with a shoulder that is not 100 percent.

  The former World Champion was looking forward to returning to the Val di Sole, Italy, venue where she claimed the 2008 world title in spectacular fashion and, "a track where, in every rut and root, lies a little piece of my heart". She will have to wait another year until the World Cup visits Val di Sole again.

  Atherton will make her return to racing in August at the Crankworx Festival in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada before racing the World Cup Finals in Windham, New York, and the World Championships in Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec, Canada.

• Swiss cross country championships heads to Gränichen

  

  Article published:

  July 17, 2010, 00:36

  By:

  Cycling News

  Vogel, Leumann hope to defend titles

  One week after Switzerland took home eight medals at the European Championships in Israel, the nation will host its national championships in Gränichen on Sunday.

  With five men ranked in the top 10 in the world, the elite men's race promises to be a good one. Defending champion Florian Vogel will return to the race and face competition from other favorites, like Nino Schurter, Christoph Sauser, Ralph Naef, Fabian Giger, Martin Gujan and Lukas Flückiger, who won silver last weekend in Haifa.

  In the women's race, defending champion Katrin Leumann, showed her form last weekend in Haifa when she won the European Championship. She's aiming for title number three in a row. European marathon champion Esther Süss, Marielle Saner-Guinchard, Nathalie Schneitter and Sarah Koba will also contest the women's championship.

  The current world's best-ranked under 23 male rider Mathias Flückiger will face off against Thomas Litscher, Patrick Gallati, Martin Fanger, Pascal Meyer, Matthias Rupp, Jérémy Huegenin, Matthias Stirnemann, Reto Indergand and Lukas Loretz.

  In the Under 23 women's race, Kathrin Stirnemann, who won silver at the Europeans, will race Vivienne Meyer, Virginie Pointet, who was third last year, and 2009 junior national champion Michelle Hediger.

  Roger Walder and Linda Indergand are the favorites for the Under 19 junior titles. while defending champion Andrea Waldis will take on last year's runner-up Andri Frischknech in the Under 17 men's race.

  Racers will compete in a 5.5km route with some singletrack and plenty of accessibility for spectators.