Conditions cause havoc for favourites

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Downhill qualifying was a tough task on the racers thanks to very unusual course conditions. It was raining at the top of the course but, other than a few drops, nothing much fell at the bottom.

Case in point was fastest qualifier Sabrina Jonnier (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain). "I didn't have a good run. I was too slow. It had rained at the start, and I was too careful," said Jonnier. "As I got lower, it became much faster. Overall, I could be much faster. It's an awesome track and I want to win here." Jonnier's time was 5.28.34.

Finishing second was Mio Suemasa (FunFancy.jp), 0.81 seconds back, and in third was Celine Gros (Morzine-Avoriaz 74) at 5.59 seconds. Top Canadian qualifier was National Champion Claire Buchar (Chain Reaction Cycles/Intense) in seventh, 9.50 seconds back.

Buchar was happy with her run. "I took it easy. The flow is good here so I enjoyed myself. I'm saving it for tomorrow," said Buchar. "I like the changes to the course. It is faster and flows better. The mud is also holding up well right now. They've done a lot of maintenance on the course. I hope it doesn't rain more because it will be really gnarly."

Going into tomorrow's race, Jonnier holds a commanding lead in the overall standings over countrywoman Emmeline Ragot (Suspension Centre), with round one winner Tracy Moseley (Trek World Team) a distant third.

The men's series remains a battle between Santa Cruz Syndicate teammates Greg Minnaar - the series leader - and Steve Peat, who this year set a new record for World Cup victories, and will be looking for his 50th World Cup podium appearance in Mont Sainte Anne.

Going up against them will be perennial favourite Sam Hill (Monster-Specialized) - still looking for his first win of the season - plus, World Champion Dan Atherton (Animal-Commencal) and the resurgent Fabien Barel (Subaru), who has come back from a knee injury to become the only rider to beat Minnaar and Peat this season.

As with the women, the course conditions at the top of the hill are creating some issues among the men. The first victim was the first racer down the hill, Greg Minnaar, who suffered a flat. "I don't know what happened. It was in the first section of woods. I was having a fast run and the next thing I know the tyre's flat," said the South African. He was able to finish the course, but not in a competitive manner, qualifying in 151st.

As a top-20 ranked rider, he is allowed to race the final, albeit with a less-than-favourable start place. Minnaar was running an unusually narrow front tyre with huge spikey knobs, combined with a wide rear tyre. The set up is very reminiscent of off-road motorcycles. Perhaps the narrow front tyre was ultimately the issue.

Minnaar's mishap was to the benefit of Hill who clocked the fastest time of 4:34:02, and Minnaar's teammate Peat, in second at 7:03 seconds. Peat always does well at Mont Sainte Anne. "I had a good run. I'm a bit tired now, but I think my chances are good here," said Peat. "If anything, the changes to the course have made it a bit easier, but also faster. There are more berms and some of the sections in the woods are easier. I'm going to step it up a bit tomorrow and I should be alright." In third was Gee Atherton (Animal-Commencal), at 8.99 seconds.

Top North American was Canada's Steve Smith (MS Evil Racing) in 11th place, 13.85 seconds back. "I had a good run but I had a little mechanical. My fault completely," he explained. "I wasn't conservative at all and unfortunately I bashed a big rock in the middle of the trail. I bent my chainring and dropped my chain. I'll do better tomorrow. It's a good track but it's demanding. It's hard on the arms and it's mentally tough because you're thinking and planning the whole way down."

Another name of note in men's qualifying is former pro Shaun Palmer, who qualified 76th.

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