Brendan Fairclough third at Pila

Bad luck for Steve here in Pila. 4 seconds up on the split and then a crash, anyone for a touch of deja vue? Still, with Steve's prodigy Brendan making it to 3rd, it's not all bad news! The course was really tough in the wet conditions, with steep muddy roots and rocks mixed in with flatout sweepers in the open sections.

Sam Hill blew the field away. World Cup champion elect Greg Minnaar came second, but Royal Racing rider Brendan Fairclough put in a great ride on his Orange 223 to claim a fantastic third. Steve Peat did not quite have the comeback to World Cup racing he wanted, a top ten finish would be on most riders wish list. To Peaty he'll be dissapointed with 9th, but, as they say, that's racing.

Pila Shots Freez Focus[Click Thumbnail for larger image]

Steve Peat	Brendan Fairclough	Steve sweeps through in National Champ Jersey	Brendan on the Podium	Respect Due!
These exclusive images are courtesy of (and copyright of) Victor Lucas of Freeze Focus

Top Ten Results Table

1	2	AUS19850721	HILL Samuel		4:15.64
2	9	RSA19811113	MINNAAR Greg	TEAM G-CROSS HONDA	4:22.39
3	40	GBR19880110	FAIRCLOUGH Brendan		4:22.94
4	6	ESP19790210	VAZQUEZ LOPEZ David	MAXXIS-MSC	4:25.60
5	8	FRA19800726	BAREL Fabien	KONA LES GETS	4:25.76
6	18	GBR19840925	BEAUMONT Marc		4:26.77
7	22	NZL19841020	LEOV Justin		4:29.43
8	68	ITA19850224	BEGGIN Alan		4:29.62
9	1	GBR19740617	PEAT Steve		4:29.92
10	10	BRA19800209	BERCHTOLD Markolf	MAXXIS-MSC	4:30.70

Pila - 20/21.08.2005, World Cup MTB Downhill/4X

Press Release, 21st August 2005

HILL FLIES ON MUD AND "BURNS" MINNAAR GREAT SUCCESS FOR THE WORLD CUP AT PILA

-The World Cup is in Minnaar's and Jonnier's hands

Those who were among the many who defied the rain and cold weather to watch the DH competition in Pila (Italy), certainly weren't disappointed. The show was amazing, with the best DH specialists in the world challenging each others on a hard and slippery run, while the highest mountains around were covered in snow.

It turned out to be Samuel Hill's day, who took great risks in technical points but succeeded in leaving Minnaar (the World Cup winner on mathematical terms) behind him. Hill was the last to start, but was already winning at the intermediate checkpoint. On the second part of the race, he pushed even harder and crossed the finish line with the best time (4.15.64) at the unbelievable average speed of 36.61 Km/h. Minnaar had to take the second place, but the World Cup is already in his hands. He "paid" 6.75 and preceded the outsider Brendan Fairclough (GB) who fell during the semi-finals.

Among women, French Anne-Caroline Chausson got her third victory in a row this season. She came down very fast, didn't make any mistakes and registered a splendid 4.52.97, ahead of British Atherton by a slight 3.33.

This was the second last World Cup competition, and South African Greg Minnaar is already champion (1485 points). Hill didn't participate in overseas races, and is in the 2nd place with 795 points, ahead of the also Australian Rennie.

French Jonnier, who only got the 5th place at Pila, made her advantage larger (1275 p) on British Moseley (1169).

Press Release 20th August 2005

TIMED PRACTICE TODAY AT PILA (ITALY)
TOMORROW THE DOWNHILL WORLD CUP

Today was a practices day for downhill racers, expecting tonight's 4Cross race in Pila, where the Mountain Bike World Cup held for 4Cross and Downhill.

The weather was sunny or lightly cloudy, despite the dreadful forecast, but the downhill track has proven to be even more difficult after yesterday's rain, causing many spectacular falls due to emerging roots and stones.

Not all racers submitted to the chrono practices, but the best ones did with a view to tomorrow's big final that will start at 2 pm down the "Bosco" run until the starting station of the "ChamolŽ" lift. The race is 2600 m. long and has 526m of high difference.

Australian Samuel Hill set his intentions straight by obtaining 4'13''11. British Steve Peat got the second best time (4'14''17) not hiding his intention to get to be number 1 despite this season's physical troubles. Fabien Barel, the actual world champion, got the third time, and South African Greg Minnaar, who mathematically already won the World Cup, only registered the 7th time.

These times can obviously not be considered as real-time field photographs, but they can certainly give an idea of who is to be watched tomorrow. Among women, French Anne-Caroline Chausson proved to be the best with just one run, registering 4'55''66, ahead of British Moseley (5'04''75).

Semi-finals will start tomorrow at 10 am until 12 noon, and the final at 2 pm. Info: www.pilamtbworldcup.com

DH Training Results - Men

1) Hill Samuel (AUS) 4.13.11;
2) Peat Steve (GBR) 4.14.17;
3) Barel Fabien (FRA) 4.15.31;
4) Beaumont Marc (GBR) 4.17.13;
5) Spagnolo Damien (FRA) 4.19.50;
6) Atherton George (GBR) 4.19.62;
7) Minnaar Greg (RSA) 4.19.78;
8) Donoghue Neil (GBR) 4.20.29;
9)Vazquez Lopez David (ESP) 4.22.44;
10) Kovarik Christopher (AUS) 4.24.71

DH Training Results - Women

1) Chausson Anne-Caroline (FRA) 4.55.66;
2) Moseley Tracy (GBR) 5.04.75;
3) Hagen Scarlett (NZL) 5.05.34;
4) Quin Vanessa (NZL) 5.07.30;
5) Atherton Rachel (GBR) 5.07.54;
6) Ragot Emmeline (FRA) 5.09.10;
7) Jonnier Sabrina (FRA) 5.12.58;
8) Gros CŽline (FRA) 5.14.76;
9) Molcik Anita (AUT) 5.17.48;
10) Saner Marielle (SUI) 5.28.35.

The UCI web site has full details and you can check the overall standings there too.