On Sunday Sam Blenkinsop (Yeti/Fox Factory Team) took his first ever step onto
the World Cup podium with a classy ride in Round 2 of the Nissan UCI Mountain
Bike World Cup in Vallnord, Andorra. Sam became only the 2nd New Zealand male
DH rider to do so, following on from Justin Leov who also finished fifth back
in 2005 at Angel Fire (USA).
Now team mates, the two kiwis trained well all week on the course but it was
clear that the two and half minute track was a little more to "Blinky's"
liking. The team used their own timing equipment throughout the week and Sam
was showing speed on all sections of the course and recording times that were
within range of a win.
Following on from his showing on the World's course in Italy, at the test event
last month where Sam qualified fastest and finished 7th, he was widely tipped
in the paddock as the next rider to stand on the podium for the first time. Sam
was pretty stoked by the whole thing.
"I was way nervous backstage at the podium, getting up on the box for the first
time, there was heaps of press. I could get used to this though, I'm really
happy to do it for Yeti and Fox in my first year on the team. The track was
mean as, and I pretty much enjoyed training on it all the time. The top section
of corners was pretty sweet and I got the bottom section dialled later on, so
even though I made a mistake in the semi, running wide and hooking up on a
tree, I knew what I had to do in the final. I like Fort William too so I'm keen
for the next race".
After a unanimous petition from the top riders in the world after the 1st round
in Maribor, the UCI returned to the 5 rider podium, and not a 3 rider one.
Sam's podium result also moves him into 9th overall in the World Cup, just 2
points behind his team mate Justin Leov.
Semi Final Results:
1. Gee Atherton (GBR) 2:41.63
2. Sam Hill (AUS) 2:43.31
3. Fabien Barel (FRA) 2:43.44
4. Steve Peat (GBR) 2:43.98
5 Steve Smith (CAN) 2:44.98
7. Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) 2:45.25
Final Results:
1. Gee Atherton (GBR) 2:35.35
2. Sam Hill (AUS) 2:35.66
3. Greg Minnaar (RSA) 2:36.73
4. Steve Peat (GBR) 2:37.49
5. Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) 2:38.71
Date:
03/06/2008