Hill takes win and moves to top of standings

21 year-old Australian Sam Hill (Iron Horse/Monster Energy Team) won the downhill at the World Cup round in Monte-Sainte-Anne, Canada, and leapt to the top of the overall standings after three rounds.

The reigning World Champion covered the 3.2km course in a time of 4:29.58 seconds - just over a second faster than South Africa's Greg Minnaar (4:31.27) with Great Britain's Steve Peat third in 4:31.30.

"I would have liked it to rain," said Hill after the final. "I didn't feel as strong on the course, so to come and win is a confidence booster. I've had a few injuries at the start of the season, but I feel stronger as the season goes on."

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Minaar's second-place ride was slightly complicated by his trick shoulder, which popped out on the way down the track. "My shoulder came out, dislocated, and I had to cruise for a bit until I could get it back in," said Minaar. "It's been perfect all week and never gave me any trouble. I just came into a section and relaxed my upper body a bit as you do on a long track, and I hit a bump and it pulled my shoulder out.

"It hurt a bit," said Minaar, "but the main thing was that I have no strength when it's out, so I have to get it in to continue. It's obvious this is recurring problem but it needs surgery and that requires a three month recovery period. I have to try and finish off my season. I already have an operation booked for October."

In the overall standings, Hill now leads with 557 points, Peat and Matti Lehikoinen of Finland trail by 32 and 141 points respectively.

In the women's race, defending world champion Sabrina Jonnier (Iron Horse/Monster Energy) took a convincing win at Mont-Sainte-Anne. Jonnier was over two seconds up on second place Tracy Moseley (Kona Les Gets) to claim her second win of the 2007 season.

For Cyclingnews' complete coverage of the World Cup in Mont Sainte Anne, click here.