Tracy Moseley setting the fastest time in official timed runs.
Photo: Rita Langley
There’s no actual qualifying at DH World Champs, just ‘official timed runs’ which were held this morning. It rained over night so the track was a little different, but riders said it was grippier than in the dust. The wind is also the strongest it’s been, affecting the jumps.
Tracy Moseley stomped out the fastest time on track, despite not having the aero wheels and cute little mudguard her Trek team-mates are now sporting on their Session 88’s. It’s a track that suits her, so it’s not surprise there. What is a surprise is that there were no French riders in the top 3, and tempers were running hot post-race when Sabrina Jonnier was disappointed with her fourth place.
Claire Buchar pinning it in timed practice, Canberra 09.
Photo: Rita Langley
Aussie-based Canadian rider Claire Buchar has been riding incredibly well all week, and got the second fastest time. She’s going huge on all the jumps and looking really powerful on the bike. The UK’s Fionn Griffiths was back on form this morning after last night’s disappointing 4x qualifier, and cruised through to finish third. She said: “I didn’t even pedal that last section, sat down up the hill and rolled over the side of the jump, and I still made up two seconds.” Should be even faster on Sunday then!
Emmeline Ragot had a flat tyre at the start of her run and finished slowest, but it won’t effect her start order because it’s not actually a seeding run. For this reason, Emilie Siegenthaler and Gabby Molloy both opted to roll the start and dnf – they have each crashed during practice and just have to start the timed runs to be able to race on Sunday. Hopefully they will be well enough. Kiwi rider Amy Laird also had a big off in her run and will be hoping her thumb gets better by race day. Get well soon!
Holly Baarspul.
Photo: Rita Langley
In the juniors, top ranked French rider Anais Pajot was fastest, followed by team-mate Julie Berteaux and Aussie ripper Holly Baarspul. Kiwi rider Georgia Wight now has a bike of her very own and was fourth fastest and feels like she could go even quicker…
Results should be here.
Older: World DH Champs 2009… the anticipation is building
Fresher: Emmeline Ragot wins World Champs 2009
Published on 05/09/2009 by Martha Hucker.
Awesome coverage Miss Hucker! (disguised as Rita, of course) I'm wishing I was on the part of the globe... (maybe if I tap my 5-10...)
:) fucking awesome work girls!!!!!! Loving it!!!