2003 MTB World championships - CM

Lugano, Switzerland, August 30 - September 7, 2003

Photography

September 7 - Elite Men's Cross Country

Images by Kristy Scrymgeour

• And they're off
• Ralph Naef (Switzerland) leads in the first lap
• Ryder Hesjedal (Canada) hot on the wheels in Naef
• Roland Green (Canada) right up there in the first lap
• Ryder Hesjedal (Canada) now in the lead
• Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium) chasing in second place
• Thomas Frischknecht (Switzerland) not having as good a day as he hoped
• Josh Fleming (Australia) looking strong
• Ryder Hesjedal (Canada) holds his lead at the midway point
• Filip Meirhaeghe consistently gaining time
• Roel Paulissen (Belgium) riding into third place
• Bart Brentjens (Netherlands) rides into 9th place
• Filip Meirhaeghe leads with a lap to go
• Filip Meirhaeghe finally takes the gold
• Two Belgians and a Canadian on the podium
• Hesjedal, Meirhaeghe, Paulissen show off their medals

Images by Valerio Marani

• Eventual winner Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium)
• Roel Paulissen (Belgium)
• Martino Fruet (Italy)
• Ryder Hesjedal (Canada) drops into the chute
• Weeeeeee… This is fun!
• Sadly there is a climb on the other side
• Meirhaeghe in the chute

September 7 - Women's Cross Country

Images by Kristy Scrymgeour

• The women off to a fast start
• Marga Fullana (Spain) sets a splitting pace in the first lap
• Gunn-Rita fan club
• Fullana and Sydor in the lead
• Sabine Spitz (Germany) chasing hard
• Sue Haywood (USA) having a strong ride
• Mary Grigson (Australia) has a good ride despite being sick
• Anke Erlanke (South Africa) running around a tight ricky corner
• Alison Sydor (Canada) in the lead
• Ivonne Kraft (Germany) has worked hard for her teammate
• Kraft in third place
• Marie-Helene Premont (Canada) rides into a nice fifth place
• Elsbeth Vink (Netherlands) riding well into 8th place
• Sabine Spitz (Germany) takes the lead

More Images by Kristy Scrymgeour/Cyclingnews

• Dellys Franke (Australia) not looking nervous before the start
• Anna Szafraniec (Poland) had a good start but a not no good finish
• Barbara Blatterq (Switzerland) later had a crash and was taken to hospital
• Elsbeth Van Rooy-Vink (Netherlands) looking good early
• Willow Koerber (USA) leads Katrin Leumann (Switzerland) into turn
• Anna Baylis (Australia) runs her bike on the corner
• Mary Grigson (Australia) riding well despite being sick
• Niki Gudex (Australia) taking the corner well
• Robyn Wong (New Zealand) has a strong ride
• Anke Erlanke (South Africa) runs her bike round the tough corner
• Gretchen Reeves (USA) had a day of mechanical nightmares
• Barbara Blatter (Switzerland) leads Marie-Helene Premont (Canada)
• Nina Gohl (Germany) and up and coming talent
• Janet Puiggros Miranda (Spain) looks down at the descent
• Canadian Fan club wave their gigantic maple leap flag
• Anna Baylis (Australia) on the rocky corner
• Trish Sinclair (Canada) rides the rocks well
• Anke Erlanke (South Africa) laughing as she runs the rocky section
• Marie-Helene Premont (Canada) concentrating on the downhill
• Sue Haywood (USA) saving herself from the tree
• Nina Gohl (Germany) looking good again
• Shonny Vanlandingham (USA) - I will conquer this rock
• Gunn-Rita Dahle (Norway) concentrates on the descent
• Alison Sydor (Canada) with one to go
• Irina Kalentieva (Russia) remains in third place for the whole race
• Anna Szafraniec (Poland) still in the race, but not for long
• Sue Haywood (USA) coming 6th with a lap to go
• Grubby Grigson (Australia) looking a little muddy
• Jimena Florit (Argentina) - Cyclingnews diarist rides into 29th place.

September 7 - Trials 20" Men

Images by Kristy Scrymgeour

• Marco Hosel (Germany) ranked number one took second place
• Kenny Belaey (Belgium) made it to the finals
• Kenny Belaey (Belgium) comes 7th overall
• Kenny Belaey (Belgium)
• Kenny Belaey (Belgium) takes the ramp down
• Benito Ros Charral (Spain) looks good with his first move
• Benito Ros Charral (Spain) hardly makes a mistake
• Benito Ros Charral (Spain) takes the win in the 20"
• Benito Ros Charral (Spain) selects to take the ramp down

September 6 - Downhill finals

Images by Kristy Scrymgeour

Men

• Chris Kovarik (Australia) just finishing his fifth place run
• Fabien Barel (France) in the "hot seat"
• Joel Panozzo (Australia) looking back at his time
• Rich Houseman (USA) suffered a crash in his run
• Cedric Gracia (France) was one of the favourites
• Greg Minnaar (South Africa) knows he's in with a chance
• David Vazquez Lopez (Spain) looking disappointed
• Mickael Pascal (France) puts on a show at the finish with Minnaar jumping up from the hot seat behind
• Steve Peat (USA) and Steve Blick (Oakley) congratulate Minnaar
• Frenchies show their respect
• Swiss Horns welcome the winners to the podiumn
• Podium glee
• Showing of medals

Women

• Tracey Mosely (Great Britain) on her run
• Kathy Pruitt (USA) clocking a fast time
• Nolvenn Le Caer (France) ends her run.
• Sabrina Jonnier (France) in the hot seat
• Anne-Caroline Chausson (France) takes the win
• Frenchies celebrate
• Chausson relieved
• Emmeline Ragot really is happy
• All French podium
• Showing off the medals
• Junior women's podium

September 5: U23 Cross Country

Images by Kristy Scrymgeour/Cyclingnews.com

• The U23 Men's field off for seven laps of rocks and roots
• Ivan Alvarez (Spain) gets a fast start
• Manuel Fumic (Germany) chases early
• Balz Weber (Switzerland) consistently gaining time
• Puncture for relay gold medallist, Piotr Formicki (Poland)
• One of the race favourites Michael Weiss (Austria)
• Ivan Alvarez (Spain) still leading
• Ryan Trebon (USA) on his way to 15th place
• Balz Weber (Swi) in action during the U23 XC race
• Liam Killeen (GBr) having a great ride despite a puncture
• Brent Miller riding as the first Australian on the course
• Celebrations all around at the finish line for Weber
• Balz Weber (Swi) very excited on the podium after his win
• Three medal winners on the podium: Manuel Fumic (2nd), Balz Weber (1st) and Ivan Alvarez (3rd)

September 5: Junior Men Cross Country

Images by Kristy Scrymgeour

• Race winner Jaroslav Kulhavy on the start line
• And they're off for six laps
• Kulhavy takes and early lead
• Nino Schurter (Switzerland) chases Kulhavy on the first lap
• Oleksandir Yakymenko (Ukraine) on his way to the first ever MTB World's medal for the Ukraine
• Kulhavy using cyclocross techniques
• Nino Schurter (Switzerland) consistenly in second position
• Kulhavy takes the gold medal for the Czech Republic
• Aussie riders happy after a strong performance
• Max Plaxton (Canada) - a race favourite
• Bret Townsend (Australia) on a tight turn
• Jordi Vila Membrado (Spain) places 8th overall
• Guillaume Fabri (France) concentrates on the descent coming up
• Perry Paolini (USA) has to put his foot down on this technical section
• Jean Sebastian Perron (Canada) looks good early in the race
• Manuel Gschnell (Italy)has to run this section
• Daniel Mconnell (Australia) making up ground
• Mark Frendo (Australia) on a tight turn
• Ivan Ortiz Ordonez (Mexico) fights with the climb
• Alistair Farley (Australia) looking muddy already
• Jakob Fugslang (Denmark) will not have much luck later in the race
• Daniel Mconnell (Australia) leads Shaun Lewis (Australia) at this point
• Kryspin Purgies (Poland) who had a great ride in the team relay
• Mark Frendo (Australia) on the technical descent
• Max Plaxton (Canada) comes in fifth in the end
• Shaun Lewis (Australia) on the rocky turn
• Daniel Mconnell (Australia) runs over the rocky turn
• Bret Townsend warming up before the start
• Alistair Farley (Australia) concentrates on the start line
• Start line

September 4: Downhill & Four-cross

Images from the four-cross qualifiers by Kristy Scrymgeour

• Anne Caroline Chausson (France) clocks the fastest time
• Sabrina Jonnier (France) midway through the 41 second run
• Katrina Miller (Australia) looking good to qualify second
• Mio Suemasa (Japan) getting some air on the final jump
• Brian Lopes (USA) with his head in the clouds
• Cedric Gracia (France) on not such a fast run
• Eric Carter (USA) had the fastest time for a while
• Mike King (USA) coming into the finish
• Greg Minaar (South Africa) on a warm up run
• Tara Llanes (USA) qualifying fourth

Images from the four-cross finals

• 4-Cross begins
• Wade Boots focussed on warming up
• Katrina Miller a bit upset after her crash
• Anne Caroline happy with another World Championship
• Women's podium, Sabrina Jonnier, Anna-Caroline Chausson, Jill Kinter
• Prokop excited with his win
• Men's podium, Eric Carter, Michal Prokop, Brian Lopes

Images from the downhill qualifiers by Kristy Scrymgeour

• Fionn Griffiths (Great Britain) took it steady to qualify fifteenth
• Amelie Thevoz (Switzerland) on her way to fifth
• Celine Gros (France) was the second of a French one-two behind Anne-Caro
• Steve Peat (Great Britain) is hungry to finally add a rainbow jersey to his collection
• Chris Kovarik (Australia) is a podium contender if he has a good day in the finals
• Mickael Pascal (France) clocking up the fastest qualifying time
• David Vazquez Lopez (Spain) set the second-fastest time
• Cedric Gracia (France) is France's other great hope
• Nathan Rennie (Australia) looking very sleek in his team skinsuit
• Daniel Atherton (Great Britain) made the top ten in the qualifiers

September 3 - Junior Women's Cross Country

Images by Kristy scrymgeour

• Defending champion, Lisa Mathison (Australia) gets her legs rubbed
• Mathison and Elisabeth Osl (Austria) on the start line
• And they're off
• Swiss fans in the woods
• Lisa Mathison (Australian) Leads after one lap
• Marlena Pyrgies (Pol) on her way to 6th place
• Almut Grieb (Germany) gets a good start
• Kylie Case (Canada) on the first technical section
• Lisa Mathison (Australian) on descent in the woods on her third lap
• Almut Grieb (Germany) still running third on third lap
• Eva Lechner (Italy) chases on third lap
• Lisa Mathison (Australian) with one lap to go
• Almut Grieb (Germany) now in third place with a lap remaining
• Emilie Siegenthalet (Switzerland) leading her compatriot with a lap to go
• Bettina Schmid (Germany) on her way to fifth place
• Bianca Knoepfle (Germany) had to walk her bike on the technical descent
• Lisa Mathison (Australian) waving the National flag over the finish line
• Lisa Mathison (Australian) smiles after the race
• Lisa Mathison (Australian) on the podium
• Medallists Lechner, Mathison and Grieb
• Eva Lechner (Italy) after the finish
• Showing off their medals
• Lisa Mathison (Australian) with her second World Championship medal
• Lisa Mathison (Australian) celebrates with her family

August 31: Marathon

Images by Kristy scrymgeour

• Start line
• 1014 riders in a mass start
• Thomas Frischknecht (Sui)leads at the bottom of the climb
• Frischknecht starts the climb
• Bart Brentjens (Ned) not far behind
• Carsten Bresser (Ger) takes 3rd at the end
• Italians put in a good showing
• Miguel Martinez (Fra) and Jure Golcer (Sui) battle it out
• Mauro Bettin (Ita) and Johann Hannes (Ita) looking good before the climb
• Bas Peters (Ned) and Massimo de Bertolis (Ita) start strong to finish 4th and 7th respectively
• Frederique Frech (Fra) starts the climb
• Sandro Spaeth (Sui)impresses in his homeland
• Thomas Spichtig (Sui) put in a strong ride to finish 11th
• Andreas Kugler (Sui) adds to the Suiss strength
• Christof Bischof (Sui) concentrates hard
• Switchback
• Kristian Hynek (Cze) and Xavier Sigrist (Sui) ride together to the hill
• Alexander Gatterer (Aut)takes the sharp turn
• Geoff Kabush (Can) on the turn
• Jeremiah Bishop (USA) still rides well after a hard week
• Feed time
• Specialized put in a showing
• Maja Wloszcowska (Pol) on her way to the title
• Birgit Jungst (Ger) rides well to end up 4th
• Frischknecht takes it on the line
• Bart Brentjens (Ned) with his family after the finish
• Frischknecht swamped by the media
• Frischknecht still looking dazed
• Jeremiah Bishop finishes in 48th place
• Maja Wloszcowska crosses the line solo to take the win
• Maja Wloszcowska elated after the finish
• Sandra Klose exhausted after her third place finish
• Mens podium
• Frischknecht with his medal
• Womens podium what's happening 35
• Frischknecht and Wloszcowska as the two first MTB Marathon World Champions

Images by Valerio Marani

• Alges Maasikmets (Estonia)
• Maasikmets onto the steps
• American James Mortenson
• Bart Brentjens and Bas Peters in the forest
• Robin Seymour of Ireland
• Marc Hanisch (Germany)
• Karl Platt (Germany)
• Platt is glad he has suspension
• Eventual winner Thomas Frischknecht (Switzerland)
• Johann Hannes Pallhuber (Italy)
• Andrzej Kaiser (Poland)
• Alexander Torkachenko (Russia)
• Martin Horak (Czech Republic)
• Ivan Rybarik (Czech Republic)
• Pavel Elsnik (Czech Republic)
• Andreas Hestler (Canada)
• Geoffrey Kabush (Canada)
• Gerrie Beukes (South Africa)
• Roan Exelby (South Africa)
• Ilario Silva (Italy)
• Andrea Chiesa (Switzerland)
• An unknown Italian rider zooms past
• Reto Hess (Switzerland)
• Giancarlo Paperini (Italy)
• Stephan Unterthurner (Italy)
• Michael Roschi (Switzerland)
• Peter Jenni (Switzerland)
• Jenni tucks in on the steps
• Markus Runggaldier (Italy)
• Runggaldier on the steps
• Followed by Alban Lakata (Austria)
• Thomas Girardi (Switzerland)
• Markus Fehr (Switzerland)
• Lukas Müller (Switzerland)
• Michael Schwaiger (Austria)
• Danilo Mathez (Switzerland)
• Nicolas Heche (Switzerland)
• Andreas Kugler (Switzerland)

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