Graves rides to win on well-liked course

Jared Graves took his fourth World Cup victory of the year and clinched the men's title with two rounds still remaining. His win was doubly impressive after a flat tire in the quarter final round had him sprinting down over half the course to still finish second - which was upgraded to first after heat winner Mickal Prokop was disqualified for cutting a corner. Except for that mishap, Graves' rides were perfect all evening.

The new course won high praise from almost all the riders. "It is ready for the Worlds next year, I wouldn't change a thing," said winner Graves. There are, of course, the usual rollers, berms and massive jumps, but there is also a rock garden, and there are other large rocks out on the track.

World champion Rafael Alvarez de Lara Lucas (Specialized) took second, with Tomas Slavik third and Roger Rinderknecht (GT Bicycles) fourth after crashing in the final. Dan Atherton (Animal-Commencal) took the small final for the fifth podium spot.

Rinderknecht continues to hold second place in the overall standings, and was likely to give Graves a run for his money until the crash. "I was going well right until the finals, but unfortunately I crashed. I was still able to get fourth, so I've still got a strong standing. I think that this was one of the best courses this year. Big banked turns. Rocks. It had everything."

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