World Cup XC # 4/DH/4X # 2 - B

Willingen, Germany, June 4-5, 2005

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Race 3 - June 4: Women's 4X

4-Cross a farce

By Rob Jones in Willingen

After the start gate broke part way through competition on Saturday night, the decision was made to finish the competition after the downhill. Unfortunately, the electronic gate couldn't be fixed (rain the night before had damaged the circuitry). The officials decided the heats would be run manually ("ready-set-go"). The riders were strongly against this, and the men boycotted the event en masse.

The women appeared to be in the same situation, however, a few riders decided to race, and the UCI announced that World Cup points would be awarded. This pushed other riders into participating and eventually 8 riders took part. Jill Kintner, the winner of the first round in Vigo, didn't race, mistakenly believing that the race had been cancelled. Beerten, second in Vigo, did.

"The UCI was telling us 'go in the gate, there is a race'. I asked my team manager what I should do, and he said ' go in the gate'. It was a weird feeling." said an upset Beerten following the race.

Afterwards, riders clustered around officials and race organizers, many saying that the race should be cancelled, but the decision was firm - the race had taken place. The riders on the podium protested by turning their backs to the small crowd that had stayed on to the bitter end.

Results

1 Anneke Beerten (Ned) Specialized