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MTB World Cup XC #9 & DH #7 - CDM
Schladming, Austria, September 11-14, 2008
Photos
Race 7 - September 14: Elite men cross country,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Luke Weber
- The men’s race started off at the usual furious pace.
- Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis) got off to a flyer, leading the first climb.
- Christoph Sauser (Specialized Factory Racing) took it easy in the early stages.
- José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Multivan Merida Biking Team) made all the running, taking the race to everyone.
- Julien Absalon was just here for fun and to collect his trophy.
- Sauser descending on the new Epic.
- Burry Stander (GT Bicycles) was number one under 23 and fifth overall in the World Cup.
- Sauser made his gap on the descent and held the lead until the finish.
- Sauser crosses the line to take another World Cup win.
- Sauser gets some congratulations after a long hard season.
- The men’s race podium.
Race 6 - September 14: Elite women cross country,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Luke Weber
- Marie-Helene Premont (Rocky Mountain) adjusts the leaders garment.
- The women’s race gets underway.
- Margarita Fullana Riera (Massi) was the early race leader.
- Premont climbs in the early stages.
- Rosara Joseph (Team Ghost International) continued her impressive comeback today.
- Tereza Hurikova (Ceska Sporitelna MTB) was the overall under-23 champion.
- Elisabeth Osl (Team Ghost International) on the top section of climb.
- Willow Koerber (Subaru-Gary Fisher) finished the race in 19th place.
- Premont descending to the overall win.
Images by Luke Weber
Images by Luke Weber
- Maja Wloszczowska (Halls Professional MTB Team) took the win today.
- Wloszczowska was surprised at her win , but happy nonetheless.
- The women’s race podium.
- The women’s overall podium.
Race 5 - September 13: Elite men downhill,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Luke Weber
- Sam Hill took it easy during the semi-finals.
- Blenkinsop was on the edge all day and loving it.
- The course was a mix of dense forest and open grass mountain.
- The run in to the finish.
- Sam Hill’s year was without major highlight - much to the surprise of the pundits.
- Congratulations to Blenkinsop were universal.
- Right after the race, Minnaar was on the blower to pass on the good news.
- Blenkinsop got a bit carried away with his celebrations.
- The final 2008 series podium.
Race 4 - September 13: Elite women downhill,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Luke Weber
- Rachel Atherton warms up before the semi-final.
- And continued to ride flat out.
- Jonnier had nothing to match Atherton this weekend.
- Moseley was also out of sorts.
- This shot hopefully gives you an idea of the drop involved on the Schladming course.
- All weekend the British flag was flying at the Atherton pit.
- Rumour has it Rach only won the Worlds so she could have pretty nails for a year!.
- Focus is key in downhill.
- The Atherton fanclub was out in force for the finals.
Race 3 - September 12: Elite men 4X,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Luke Weber
- During practice the views were spectacular.
- And the course was dry and fast.
- Unfortunately, not even the official jackets would help with the following deluge.
- Riders started the evening in overcast conditions.
- This panoramic gives a better idea of the rolling nature of the jumps.
- The clouds rolled into the Schladming valley.
- Final-round winner Saladini managed at least one ride in the dry.
- Alvarez completed the clean sweep with his final podium appearance in 2008.
Race 2 - September 12: Elite women 4X,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Luke Weber
- Anita Molcik, practiced yesterday in the sun.
- But 24 hours later conditions were very different
- Spectators tried their best to shelter from the rain
- And even the eliminated riders had to fight for shelter from the deluge!
- Eventually, Anneke was crowned champion. She was relieved there was no more racing in the rain.
