Slavik tops four cross finale

World champion Tomas Slavik (RSP 4 Cross) beat World Cup champion Jared Graves (Yeti Fox Shox) in the final round of the men's four cross World Cup in Val di Sole, Italy, setting the stage for some intense competition at the world championships in two weeks.

The men's competition saw a number of crashes on the way to selecting the final four riders. Joining Slavik and Graves in the final were Czech rider Kamil Tatarkovic and Johannes Fischbach (Ghost Factory).

Graves got off to his usual fast start, with Slavik trailing well back in fourth. At the bottom of the course, Slavik made the move of the day, cutting inside a corner to jump into the lead and win. Fischbach took second after Graves tangled with Tatarkovic and finished fourth.

"What I was aiming for this whole season and last was second, third or something, but now it is first," said Slavik. "That was a fantastic run, I think the run of my life ... the World Championship [last year] and this one. From last position to get a first on a final of a World Cup. It's just insane, and I am super stoked. It helps to win just before a world championship, with your mental state. You know you can win, it gives a lot of confidence. Hopefully, let's see what happens in Champery."

Graves finished with 485 points to win his third World Cup overall title, followed by Swiss rider Roger Rinderknecht at 300, Slavik at 283, Switzerland's David Graf at 250 and Michal Prokop of the Czech Republic also at 250 points. Rinderknecht, Graf and Prokop all missed the final to compete at the Olympic BMX test event in London.

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