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2004 MTB World championships - CM
Les Gets, France, September 8-12, 2004
Photography
- Race 3 - September 10: Cross Country Junior Men
- Race 4 - September 10: Cross Country U/23 Men
- Race 6 - September 11: Downhill Elite Women
- Race 8 - September 11: Downhill Junior Men
- Race 9 - September 11: Downhill Elite Men
- Race 10 - September 11: 4-Cross Men
- Race 11 - September 11: 4-Cross Women
- Race 13 - September 12: Cross-Country Elite Women
- Race 14 - September 12: Cross-Country Elite Men
Race 3 - September 10: Cross Country Junior Men
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com - Gallery
- Nino Schurter (Switzerland) takes a lead he never relinquished
- Tight turns and bottlenecks at the start caused problems for some riders
- Raphael Gagne (Canada) and Yannick Bernasconi (Switzerland) at the start
- The bunch up at the start
- Alex Hodge (USA) was the US' best finisher in 47th
- Some parts of the course were tight
- Nino Schurter showing the strain of being out front for the whole race
- Denis Vorontsov (Russia) on the way to a solid fifth place
- Maxime Marotte and Stephane Tempier on their way to filling out the podium for France
- Raphael Gagne took the maple leaf jersey to seventh place
- Alistair Farley (Australia) and Burry Stander (South Africa) ride mid-pack
- Nino Schurter going hard
- Stéphane Tempier, Maxime Marotte, Luka Kodra (Slovenia) and Andi Weinhold (Germany) going after the minor placings
- Andi Weinhold powering to the hardest place - fourth, just off the podium
- Thomas Frischknecht (running) encourages Nino Schurter - is that a torch being passed?
- Stéphane Tempier gets some late-race encouragement
- Nino Schurter - the new junior men's world champ managed to find a flag on the way to the finish. Funny the way that keeps happening.
- Nino Schurter celebrates his win
Race 4 - September 10: Cross Country U/23 Men - Gallery
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- The start of the men's U23 race
- Inaki Lejarreta Errasti (Spain) was the early leader
- Liam Killeen (Great Britain) and Manuel Fumic (Germany) on the start loop
- Florian Vogel (Switzerland) in the dust
- Jacob Johansen (Denmark) and Filip Eberl (Czech Republic) battle the dust
- Rudy Van Houts (Netherlands) leads a chasing group
- Liam Killeen leads Vogel and Lejarreta
- Moritz Milatz (Germany) on the way to 27th
- Max Plaxton (Canada) had a frustrating day
- Emil Lindgren (Sweden) rode well to an eighth place overall
- Ruben Ruzafa Cueto (Spain) put in a solid ride for fifth overall
- Simon Richardson (Great Britain) was one of three Brits in the top 20, finishing 17th
- Max Plaxton was Canada's best finisher in 24th
- Liam Killeen stayed at the front and tried to skake off Fumic and Vogels
- Liam Killeen made a huge effort but couldn't get rid of Fumic
- Philip Spencer (Great Britain) on the way to 20th place
- Manuel Fumic moved to the lead on the final lap
- Manuel Fumic with Liam Killeen still shadowing
- Manuel Fumic turns on the heat
- Florian Vogel was dropped by the leaders but held on for third
- Manuel Fumic 'embraces' victory with Liam Killeen just behind
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- The start saw contenders Manuel Fumic (front, 2nd from left) Liam Killeen (center) and Florian Vogel (front right) to the fore immediately
- The start was a tad dusty
- Florian Vogel (Switzerland) lost contact with the leading duo but took the bronze
- Manuel Fumic
- Spectators were pretty relaxed enjoying the late-summer sunshine
- Manuel Fumic has an emotional post-victory moment
- The under-23 men's podium - from left: Liam Killeen (Great Britain, 2nd), Manuel Fumic (Germany, 1st), Florian Vogel (Switzerland, 3rd)
Race 6 - September 11: Downhill Elite Women
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- Marla Streb (USA) - the USA's evergreen contender was just off the podium
- Vanessa Quin (New Zealand) took advantage of the absence of Anne-Caro to land another kiwi rainbow jersey
- Vanessa Quin concentrating hard on the goal
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Danika Schroeter (Canada) would place 9th
- The finish line in sight for Danika Schroeter
- Lisa Sher (USA) - in eighth, Sher was one of four US women in the top 10
- Mio Suemasa (Japan) - the former junior world champion takes silver medal
- Celine Gros (France) took the bronze for the host nation
- Marielle Saner (Switzerland) on the way to fifth
- Vanessa "Mighty" Quin (New Zealand) is the 2004 Women's DH Champion
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- The only way to beat Anne-Caro is to cripple her
- Nolvenn Le Caer heads home for tenth place
- It was lucky seventh for April Lawyer
- Michelle Dumaresq once again gets caught up in some tape
- At least it's blue and white this time, and not red
- When every second counts, it's all too easy to make a simple job into a hard one
- "Dammit, I'll just ride off and hope the tape breaks"
- It doesn't, so another stop, and an unfortunate 17th place
- A hot Vanessa Quin in the all-black of New Zealand
- Kiwi Vanessa Quin looks humbled with her World Champion win
- Mio Suemasa, Vanessa Quin and Celine Gros on the podium
- Vanessa Quin on the podium
- Number 1 in the world, and proud of it
- Japan's Mio Suemasa on the podium
- France's Celine Gros on the podium
Race 7 - September 11: Downhill Juniors Women
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- Scarlett Hagen gives New Zealand another rainbow jersey
- Hagen looks happy on the podium
- Rachel "Another" Atherton, Scarlett Hagen and Audrey Le Corguille on the podium
- Audrey Le Corguille tries to out-stare the camera
- Scarlett Hagen kicks it up a notch
- Rachel Atherton on the podium for Great Britain
- Scarlett Hagen can't stop smiling
Race 8 - September 11: Downhill Junior Men
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- Kyle Strait (USA) on the way to third in the junior downhill
- Cameron Zink (USA) - another of the USA's large junior DH contingent
- Romain Lescure (France) moto-styles a corner
- Fabien Cousinie placed 10th for France
- Henry O'Donnell was the second of three Americans in the top-10
- One of the hottest young riders around, Kyle Strait
- Strait does his "tough" pose
- Florent Payet, Romain Saladini and Kyle Strait on the podium
- New World Champion, Romain Saladini
- A happy Florent Payet on the podium
- The boys strike a pose
Race 9 - September 11: Downhill Elite Men
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- Chris Vandine was the best US finisher in 32nd
- David Klaassenvanoorschot (USA) on the way to 38th
- Greg Minnaar (South Africa) was just half a second slower than Barel for the silver
- Fabien Barel (France) kept it rubber-side-down to become the new world champion
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Greg Minnaar (RSA) would have to "settle" for silver
- Greg Minnaar (RSA) was just 0.58 seconds from a repeat as World Champion
- Fabien Barel (France) - the DH World Champion 2004
- Fabien Barel (France) expected to conced to Peaty till teh Englishman's crash
- Nathan Rennie (Australia) stomped to fifth
- Joel Panozzo (Australia) flying to fourth place
- Cedric Gracia (France) would finish eighth
- Steve Peat (Great Britain) goes down in a big heap
- Steve Peat is in there somewhere
- You know there's trouble when the bike's this way up
- Steve Peat (GBr) recovers but a World Championship chance is again lost
- Sam Hill (Australia) - the 2003 Junior Men's Champion would take bronze
- Sam Hill (Australia) powers to third place
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- Looks like Robbie McEwen was wrong
- Karim Amour heading for a 13th place
- Nino Antic of Croatia placed 43rd
- Italian Alan Beggin corners at speed
- A close-up of Alan Beggin
- Justin Havukainen was one of the few Australians who didn't place inside the top-10
- Julien Camellini placed 7th for France
- David Vazquez Lopez was the highest placed Spaniard
- Cedric Gracia had a bummer of a day
- Fabien Barel wears the rainbow for France
- Greg Minnaar finished a great year with a second place
- Fabien Barel stands for the French National Anthem
- Fabien Barel smiles
- Greg Minnaar, Fabien Barel and Sam Hill on the podium
- Yes its real Fabien
Race 10 - September 11: 4-Cross Men
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- Eric Carter (USA) styles it up
- Mike King (USA) gets a little air in qualifying
- Robin Baloochi (USA) on the way to qualifying tenth
- Eric Carter (USA) and Michal Marosi (Czech) play follow-the-leader
- Lukas Tamme (Czech) leads Eric Carter (USA) and Michal Marosi (Czech) in an early round
- Mickael Deldycke (France) does a pre-flight check
- Mickael Deldycke (France) takes off from off the log platform
- "Cedric! Come down from there at once!"
- "I think I can still land this…"
- "... maybe not."
- Bruised but unbowed Cedric Gracia picks himself up
- Eric Carter (USA) is a very happy man after finally winning a four-cross world's
- The men's podium - (L to R) Mickael Deldycke (France, 2nd), Eric Carter (USA, 1st) and Michal Prokop (Czech Republic, 3rd)
- Eric Carter flies during the qualifiers
- John Kirkcaldie in orbit
- Kirkcaldie touches down
- Just some of the crowd massed to watch the finals
- Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee…
- Romain Saladini of France looks for a landing spot
- Carter sits in a safe position, waiting
- Nathan Rennie flips-out
- Nathan Rennie slides out
- Sebastien Autale is chased by Scott Beaumont
- Kiwi John Kirkcaldie in the 16ths
- Sorry John, this is the end of your race
- Guido Tschugg styles it up
- Michal Marosi chases EC
- Ross Milan about to drop in
- Sick Mick Hannah made it as far as the 1/4 finals
- Karim Amour has a second of saddle time
- EC sits in with a couple of Czechs
- Looking down on the finals
- Mike King and eventual silver winner Mickael Deldycke
- King about to fly
- And the crowd watched on
- Michal Prokop lead most of the way to the podium
- Air time
- Dale Holmes finished the hard way
- Mickael Deldycke leads EC…
- … but EC has plans for the final
- Swiss rider Roger Rinderknecht
- Just some of the photographers watching the carnage
- Birke Ulrich takes the high-ground
- Somebody forgot to say "Bags not going home in the back of an ambulance"
- This is not how you want to finish your Worlds
- At least you have a story to tell the kids
- Ross Milan; wheels one way, look the other
- One of the Athertons shows some style
- What are you lookin' at?
- Roger Rinderknecht and his shadow
- Note to self: Don't try that again
- A rider flies into the sunset
- A rider flies into the sunset
- A rider flies into the sunset
- A rider flies into the sunset
- A rider flies into the sunset
- A rider flies into the sunset
- A rider flies into the sunset
- Fireworks at the worlds
- Deldycke drope in and heads for the podium
- Cedric Gracia known if you can't win, you put on a show
- OK, that's where I want to put the bike
- Bugger, not there, that won't work!
- OOOMPH! Gracia has a little lie down
- It's all good! A little dust is all
- Dust, bike, and a dissapointed CG
- EC looks VERY happy with his gold
- EC puts on the rainbow jersey
- Excellent Smithers
- Mickael Deldycke gave France a silver
- Michal Prokop placed third for the bronze
- Eric Carter listens to the US anthem
- Three happy boys on the podium
Race 11 - September 11: 4-Cross Women
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- Katrina Miller looks towards the finals
- Vanessa Quinn (New Zealand) prepares to land during the qualifying rounds
- Lisa Sher (USA) was disqualified in the qualifying rounds
- Melissa Buhl (USA) makes it through to the finals
- Eva Castro Fernandez walks home
- Laetitia Le Corguille of France
- Tara Llanes (USA) leads early in the final
- Women's Four-cross World Champion Jana Horakova
- The women's podium - Jill Kinter (USA, 2nd) Jana Horakova (Czech Republic, 1st) and Tara Llanes (USA, 3rd)
- Flowers and seriousness on the women's podium
- Jill Kinter, Jana Horakova and Tara Llanes
- A happy Tara Llanes on the podium for third
Race 13 - September 12: Cross-Country Elite Women
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- Gunn-Rita Dahle mid-way through the race
- A muddy Sabine Spitz keeps the pace up
- A happy Gunn-Rita Dahle wins the Women's World Championships
- Dahle flies the Norwegian flag at the end of the race
- Even the Vikings were out in force
- Happy champs; Alison Sydor, Gunn-Rita Dahle and Maja Wloszczowska
- Mine, all mine! Gunn-Rita Dahle shows off her medal
- Mary McConneloug (USA) was the best US woman in 16th place
- Kelly Emmett (USA) rides through the mud
- Dara Marks (USA) working hard on the hill
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Alison Sydor got the "holeshot" at the start
- Gunn-Rita Dahle and Maja Wloszczowska
- Alison Sydor preserved her incredible streak of top-5 finishes (now 14 consecutive finishes) at the World's
- Marie-Helene Premont (Can) went from last to fourth
- Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) silver medalist
- Gunn-Rita Dahle of Norway will become the first woman to complete the mountain bike triple
- Women's podium; Wloszczowska, Dahle, Sydor
Race 14 - September 12: Cross-Country Elite Men
Images by Birke Ulrich/www.alakarte.de
- With the rainbow-jersey on the line every bit of concentration counts
- Thomas Frischknecht leads the field early on
- Frischknecht gets muddy in the slippery conditions
- I hope there is a shower at the end of the race
- Lado Fumic wishes he wasn't wearing white
- Carsten Bresser was a DNF at the end of the day
- Thomas Frischknecht is getting muddier by the minute
- The conditions drain the energy from the riders
- Lado Fumic and 3kg of mud
- A little further and then it's all over
- Thomas Frischknecht is happy with his third place
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Julien Absalon (Fra) resplendent in gold
- Cedric Ravanel (Fra) took the silver meda
- Marek Galinski (Pol) 5th
- Thomas Frischknecht (Sui) wins bronze an incredible 15 years after winning silver in the first mountain bike world championships, in Durango, Colorado
- Chris Sheppard (Can), resplendent in MUD
- Julien Absalon rode to a decisive victory
