The World Cup visited Andorra for the first time in its 15 year history and all
riders faced the challenge of a new course and all the unknowns that go along
with that. Early training times suggested that it was going to be a short race
of around two and a half minutes, but with rain featuring throughout most of
the week, concerns were also raised about how the track would hold up and
whether or not rain would play a factor on race day.
Sam and Brendan trained together well throughout Thursday and Friday both
finding the course very much to their liking. For Brendan it almost felt like
one of his British local tracks had been imported into the Pyrenees, tipping
early that the Brits would do well here. Neither rider opted to show their hand
in the official timed training but knew that the time set by Steve Peat of 2m
36.73 was well within reach.
The semi final for Sam is nearly as important as the final, as 50 points are on
offer for 1st place so in order to hang onto the leader's jersey, a solid run
is needed. In dry yet very overcast conditions, Sam finished 2nd to Britian's
Gee Atherton while Brendan took 13th, just 4 seconds back.
During the long 4 hour break before their final runs, the skies started to look
more ominous and thoughts went back to round 2 in 2007 in the Swiss Alps where
rain affected half the field at Champery. Instead though a brief 10 minute
shower soon came and went, and racing went on unaffected. Brendan was the first
of Team Monster Energy Iron Horse to head down, but it was soon apparent
something wasn't right as his intermediate time didn't show up after 4 minutes.
Team Manager Sean Heimdal quickly conferred with race control and confirmed
that Brendan had hit a tree in section 9, was on the bike and rolling to the
line. Soon after, Greg Minnaar took the hot seat with a time of 2m 36.73secs.
His team mate Steve Peat came close, but it was Sam who bumped the South
African from the lead and punched the air with jubilation having run a 2m
35.66secs; a great time.
All eyes then went to the TV screens to see if fastest qualifier Gee Atherton
could take his first Downhill win in 4 years, and in so doing, join his brother
and sister in winning a World Cup race this weekend in Andorra. The split time
showed Gee 3 tenths off Sam's pace, but Gee made up time in the lower 50
seconds of the course, reversing the margin to be 3 tenths up at the line.
Comments:
Sam: "I made a mistake in the semis that cost me time. In the lower section at
a road crossing, I ran wide and got hung up on a tree and I lost speed going
into the next section. So for the finals I went for a strong run and apart from
a small mistake in the bottom section, had a good one. I'm happy with 2nd place
here on a new track, and to pick up 200 points. It's a long season so
consistency is key."
Brendan: "It's pretty disappointing to be out with a crash in the final,
especially when training had been going so well. In the semi's it was weird, I
felt a lot slower than I knew I'd been in training, but when I crossed the line
the time was a lot faster and more competitive than I imagined. In the final I
started well but just overcooked it in section 9 and slammed a tree. My ribs
are sore but I'll be good for Fort Bill."
Team Manager Sean Heimdal: "Sam keeps the leader's jersey going to Fort William
where he's the only rider to win twice, so I'm very happy with where he's
placed. Brendan isn't seriously injured which was of course my first concern,
but he's pretty upset to have lost valuable points, but he's riding super well.
You've got to hand it to the Athertons though this weekend, three wins, and
being in the home nation of their sponsor, it made for great racing."
Date:
03/06/2008