 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Mountain Bike World Championships - CM
Fort William, Scotland, September 4-9, 2007
Photography
Race 18 - September 9: Junior men and women downhill finals,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- John Swanguen (USA) took second place in the Junior men's race.
- Junior Men's podium: John Swanguen (USA), Ruaridh Cunningham (Great Britain) and Matthew Scoles (New Zealand).
- Mitchell Delfs (Australia) just missed out on a podium spot with his fourth place.
- Ruaridh Cunningham (Great Britain) took a narrow victory.
- Katy Curd (Great Britain) finished runner-up in the Junior women's race.
- Myriam Nicole (France) had to settle for third place.
- Floriane Pugin (France) matched her compatriot's efforts in the Elite Women's downhill finals by taking out the Junior world title.
- Junior Women's podium: Katy Curd (Great Britain), Floriane Pugin (France) and Myriam Nicole (France).
Race 17 - September 9: Elite men downhill finals,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- A large crowd headed to Fort William for the Elite Men's final.
- Sam Hill (Australia) repeats as world champion.
- Great Britain's Steve Peat won't be sitting down on that bike in a hurry.
- Gee Atherton (Great Britain) finished third, four seconds down on the winner.
- Greg Minnaar (South Africa) took fourth place in Great Britain.
- Pasqual Canals Flix (Spain) may have settled for fifth place, but at least he did it in style.
- Elite men's podium (L-R): Fabien Barel (France), Sam Hill (Australia) and Gee Atherton (Great Britain).
Race 16 - September 9: Elite women downhill finals,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Sabrina Jonnier (France) defended her title taking a four second victory.
- Tracey Hannah (Australia) pushed hard but couldn't match the blistering times of Rachel Atherton and Sabrina Jonnier.
- Rachel Atherton (Great Britain) went one better than her 2006 result to take second place.
- Elite women's podium: Rachel Atherton (Great Britain), Sabrina Jonnier (France) and Tracey Hannah (Australia).
Race 11 - September 9: Elite men
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Didier Weemaels/www.pixstream.eu
- Roel Paulissen (Belgium) awaits the Elite Men's Cross Country event's start.
- World Champion focus: Reigning winner Julien Absalon (France) gets his mind in the zone while he waits for the start.
- A moment for thinking at the start line clearly helped the Switzerland riders, with two of them finishing on the podium.
- Geoff Kabush (Canada) may have finished down in 50th spot but at least he got to lead the riders away.
- Florian Vogel (Switzerland) pushed hard throughout the race to keep his slim margin over Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden).
- Recently crowned marathon world champion Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) leads defending cross country champion Julien Absalon (France).
- He might be seeded in third but eighth was the best Roel Paulissen (Belgium) could manage on the day.
- An in form Julien Absalon (France) didn't disappoint on the 51.4 kilometre course, taking a 25 second victory.
- Roel Paulissen (Belgium) rolls over a tricky section of the Fort William course.
- The Swizterland riders dominated the top positions with four riders from the nation inside the top 10.
- Sven Nys (Belgium) took 16th place, but won't be settling for anything below first place in the upcoming cyclo-cross season.
- Julien Absalon (France) was out for a nice ride on his Orbea Alma, recently featured on Cyclingnews.
- The king corners: Julien Absalon (France) on his way to victory.
- Ralph Näf (Switzerland) flys across the bridge in pursuit of Julien Absalon (France).
- Sven Nys (Belgium) finished 3.36 minutes behind the winner.
- Julien Absalon (France) celebrates on his way to the finish line, 25 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.
- France's Julien Absalon shows off his winning machine to the spectators that came out to watch him defend his title.
- Flags on big sticks were the flavour of the day with Ralph Näf waving Switzerland's flag as he came home in second place.
- Ralph Näf (Switzerland) showed that not only the winner gets to show off his ride.
- Julien Absalon (France) sprays the cameramen while standing on the podium with Swiss rider Ralph Näf (left) and Florian Vogel (right).
- The Elite men show off their medals (L-R): Ralph Näf (Switzerland), Julien Absalon (France), and Florian Vogel (Switzerland).
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Start of the Elite Men's XC
- Julien Absalon doesn't let a little rain slow him down
- Julien Absalon
- Carl Decker (USA)
- Julien Absalon
- José Hermida (Spain)
- Lukas Flückiger
- Lado Fumic (Germany)
- Ralph Näf (Switzerland)
- Christoph Sauser (Switzerland)
- Adam Craig USA) was top North American in 22nd
- Todd Wells (USA)
- Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA)
- "Sir" Bart Brentjens (Netherlands)
- Geoff Kabush (Canada)
- Jeremiah Bishop (USA)
- Thomas Frischknecht (Switzerland)
- Kashi Leuchs (New Zealand)
- Barry Wicks (USA)
- Liam Killeen (Great Britain) had an impressive ride
- Michael Broderick (USA)
- Michael Broderick (USA)
- Carl Decker (USA)
- Ralph Näf (Switzerland)
- Roel Paulissen (Belgium) leads the chasers up the climb
- José Hermida (Spain) & Manuel Fumic (Germany)
- Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden)
- Jean-Christophe Peraud (France)
- Julien Absalon (France)
- Ralph Näf (Switzerland)
- Manuel Fumic (Germany) was the 2004 U23 World Champion and would finish 5th today.
- Christoph Sauser battled back from a broken shoe you can note the duct tape!
- Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden)
- Roel Paulissen (Belgium)
- José Hermida (Esp)
- Christoph Soukup (Austria)
- Cyclo-cross superstar Sven Nys (Belgium) has tried his hand at MTB in 2007, with hopes of obtaining an Olympic spot
- Adam Craig (USA)
- Former World Champion, Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium)
- Geoff Kabush's single armwarmer covers a bad gash
- Liam Killeen (Great Britain)
- Julien Absalon wins his fourth world title and breaks the 13 year old record of Dane Henk Djernis
- Florian Vogel, happy with bronze
- Julien Absalon
- Absalon in a Swiss "sandwich"... with from left to right: Ralph Näf, Julien Absalon, Florian Vogel
Race 10 - September 8: Elite women cross country
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Didier Weemaels/www.pixstream.eu
- Irina Kalentieva (Russia) is focused on the start line.
- Sabine Spitz (Germany) waits for the start of the women's cross country race.
- Jingjing Wang (China) was determined to go better than her 11th place at last year's world championships this time around.
- American Mary McConneloug lead the riders out from the start and went on to finish 12th.
- Jingjing Wang (China) leads the eventual first and second place getters.
- After finishing second last year, Russia's Irina Kalentieva capitalised on the absence of last year's champion Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa to win the title.
- Sabine Spitz (Germany) rode hard but couldn't keep up with Irina Kalentieva (Russia) to the line.
- Laura Turpijn (Netherlands) finished 11.25 minutes down in 34th spot.
- Jingjing Wang made sure China's strong showing in the Under 23 cross country race was backed up in the Elite Women's event.
- Lene Byberg (Norway) leads Georgia Gould (United States of America) on their way to eighth and ninth respectively.
- The Switzerland team's new tactic of chasing its riders through the course didn't help Petra Henzi, who finished 13th.
- Podium (L-R): Sabine Spitz (Germany), Irina Kalentieva (Russia), and Jingjing Wang (China).
- New world champion Irina Kalentieva (Russia) busts open the bubbly.
- The Elite Women show off their new medals (L-R): Sabine Spitz (Germany), Irina Kalentieva (Russia), and Jingjing Wang (China).
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Lea Davison (USA) takes it easy on the first climb where there were multiple crashes
- Irina Kalentieva (Rus) leads first climb
- Marie-Helene Premont (Can)
- Marie-Helene Premont (Can)
- Marie-Helene Premont (Can)
- Catherine Pendrel (Can)
- Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) shows the effects of a crash with bloody arms and legs
- Georgia Gould (USA) top US finisher in 9th
- Rosara Joseph (New Zealand)
- Willow Koerber (USA) looks up the road for the competition
- Irina Kalentieva (Rus)
- Mary McConneloug (USA) finished 12th
- Katerina Nash (Czech Republic)
- Heather Irmiger (USA)
- Lea Davison (USA)
- Kelli Emmett (USA)
- Jingjing Wang (People's Republic Of China)
- Irina Kalentieva (Rus)
- Sabine Spitz (Germany)
- Georgia Gould (USA) & Lene Byberg (Nor)
- Georgia Gould (USA)
- Georgia Gould (USA) was the USA's top finisher
- Willow Koerber (USA) was 15th
- Lene Byberg (Norway) rode steady for 8th
- Willow Koerber (USA) takes at turn at speed
- Willow Koerber (USA) digs in to the climb
- Mary McConneloug (USA)
- Kiara Bisaro (Canada) looks focused
- Irina Kalentieva (Rus) attacked on the third lap
- Jingjing Wang (People's Republic Of China)
- Rosara Joseph & Catherine Pendrel head up the hill
- Catherine Pendrel (Can) keeps an eye on the action ahead
- Marie-Helene Premont (Can) is feeling the effort
- Georgia Gould (USA) threads a line through the rocks
- Willow Koerber (USA) takes a turn
- Blaza Klemencic (Slovenia)
- Irina Kalentyeva takes a lap of honour after winning the 2007 World Championships
- Russia's Irina Kalentyeva's dream season continues with a rainbow jersey
- Podium: Sabine Spitz, Irina Kalentieva, Jingjing Wang
Race 9 - September 8: 4X Finals
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Scott Beaumont was a favourite with the crowd
- Meijer gets some speed
- First round action
- Fischbach and Alvarez finished 1-2 in their 1/16th
- Gracia was riding well until he crashed out in the quarterfinals
- Gee Atherton won his 1/8 but was knocked out of the quarterfinals
- Graves was on fire until his blowout in the semifinal
- Favourite Michaal Prokop unclipped and then crashed in the 1/8 round
- Rinderknecht won every race until the Final
- Cedic Gracia finished ahead of Will Longdon in the 1/8 to move on to the quarterfinals
- Lopes rode away from everyone in the 1/8 final
- Thomas Slavik won his 1/8 heat
- Romain Saladini was strong all night, taking silver
- Graves (4) and Wichman battle in the quarterfinals
- Jurg Meijer took the bronze medal
- Rinderknecht made the final but finished 4th
- Cedric Gracia crashed out of the quarterfinals, injuring his wrist
- Lopes led his quarterfinal from start to finish
- Slavik and Deldycke in the quarterfinals
- Jared Graves was one of the strongest riders until his rear tire blew in spectacular fashion during the Semi's
- Brian Lopes salutes the crowd
- Brian Lopes loves that gold medal
- Podium: Romain Saladini, Brian Lopes, Jurg Meijer
- Jana Horakova finished 4th just out of the medal
- Beerten easily won her quarterfinal
- Fighting for second in the Semi
- Buhl & Griffiths battle in the Semi
- Kintner made it look easy
- Kintner took her third straight title with ease
- Beerten took the silver medal
- Buhl came back from a crash to take bronze
- Jill Kintner
- Podium: Anneke Beerten, Jill Kintner, Melissa Buhl
- Jill Kintner & Brian Lopes American Domination
Race 8 - September 8: U23 men cross country,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Rene Tann (Ger) Nino Schurter (Sui) and Daniel McConnell (upside down 13) lead from the start.
- Rene Tann (Germany)
- Daniel McConnell did not like his race number.
- Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic)
- A traffic jam after the start of the Under 23 men's race.
- Nino Schurter (Switzerland) going for a repeat.
- Max Plaxton receives encouragement while in third place.
- Sam Jurekovic (USA)
- Nino Schurter (Switzerland)
- Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark)
- Max Plaxton in third before he hit mechanical problems.
- Daniel McConnell (Australia)
- Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark)
- Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic)
- Burry Stander (South Africa)
- Samuel Schultz (USA)
- Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic)
- Anders Hovdenes (Norway)
- Dariusz Batek (Poland)
- Sam Jurekovic (USA)
- Colin Cares (USA)
- Jiri Friedl (Czech Republic)
- Tad Elliot (USA)
- Mitchell Peterson (USA)
- Burry Stander (South Africa)
- Ian Bibby (Great Britain)
- Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) overtakes Nino Schurter (Switzerland) for the lead.
- Neal Kindree (Canada)
- Samuel Schultz (USA)
- Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) takes an emphatic victory.
- Happiness is winning a gold medal according to Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark).
- Nino Schurter (Switzerland) shows one finger more than he hoped to be holding up.
- Nino Schurter was stunned to finish second.
- Podium: Nino Schurter (Switzerland), Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark), Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic).
Race 4 - September 6: Junior men cross country,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Fabien Canal (France) and Thomas Litscher (Switzerland) get the holeshot
- Chris Peterson (United States of America)
- Conor Macfarlane (New Zealand) & Hamish Creber (Great Britain)
- Jeff Clarkson (Canada)
- Thomas Litscher (Switzerland)
- Stephen Ettinger (United States of America)
- Thomas Litscher (Switzerland)
- Piotr Brzozka (Poland)
- The first local medal goes to David Fletcher
- An amazing ride from the back of the field to seventh for the Israeli rider Haimy Shlomi
- Paul Van Der Ploeg (Australia)
- Chris Peterson (United States of America)
- Bryce Munro (South Africa)
- Thomas Litscher (Switzerland)
- Ashley Hough (New Zealand)
- Tristan Cowie (United States of America)
- Gregory Carpenter (United States of America)
- David Fletcher (Great Britain)
- David Fletcher (Great Britain)
- Sebastien Carabin (Belgium)
- Clément Koretzky (France)
- Chris Peterson (United States of America)
- Gregory Carpenter (United States of America)
- Stephen Ettinger (United States of America)
- Francis Morin (Canada)
- Thomas Litscher gets gold for Switzerland
- Thomas Litscher.
- Piotr Brzozka, silver for Poland
- David Fletcher gets bronze for Great Britain
- Podium: Piotr Brzozka, Thomas Litscher, David Fletcher
- Piotr Brzozka, Thomas Litscher, David Fletcher
Race 3 - September 5: U23 women cross country,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- The charge out of the start gate as the 34.22 kilometre race gets underway.
- Nathalie Schneitter (Switzerland) led up the first climb.
- Elisabeth Osl (Austria) took the final podium spot.
- Chengyuan Ren (China) was the best of the rest, finishing 3.30 minutes behind her team-mate Liu Ying.
- Liu Ying (China) doiminated the Under 23 race.
- Eva Lechner (Italy) was the top Italian in 15th spot.
- Elisabeth Osl (Austria) finished 5.20 minutes down.
- Nathalie Schneitter (Switzerland) made the top 10, despite being just over 10 minutes behind the winner.
- Emily Batty (Canada) was the top North American rider in 10th place.
- Caitlyn Tuel (United States Of America)
- Chloe Forsman (United States Of America)
- Chengyuan Ren (China)
- At the end of lap two Ren looked ready to repeat as world champion
- Chengyuan Ren (China)
- At the end of the second lap Liu Ying seemed destined for the silver
- Elisabeth Osl (Austria) couldn't match the Chinese duo.
- Nina Homovec (Slovenia) took sixth place.
- Tereza Hurikova (Czech Republic) just missed the podium, taking fourth place 30 seconds behind third placed Elisabeth Osl (Austria).
- Amy Hunt (Great Britain) finished more than 14 minutes down in 14th.
- Caitlyn Tuel (United States Of America) was the top US rider, in 24th place.
- Caitlyn Tuel (United States Of America)
- Chloe Forsman (United States Of America) finished one spot behind countrywoman Caitlyn Tuel.
- Liu Ying (China) took over the lead late on the third lap.
- Chengyuan Ren (China) came through a few seconds behind Liu at the end of lap three.
- Liu Ying (China) barely cracks a smile as she wins the U23 world title.
- Liu Ying (China) shows some excitment after her win.
- Podium (L-R): Chengyuan Ren (China), Liu Ying (China), Elisabeth Osl (Austria).
- Podium (L-R): Chengyuan Ren (China), Liu Ying (China), Elisabeth Osl (Austria).
Race 2 - September 5: Junior women cross country,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Ines Thoma and Sanne Cant lead off from the start.
- Julie Bresset (France) rounded out the podium in third spot.
- Ines Thoma (Germany) was the only German rider to break into the top 10.
- Alla Boyko (Ukraine) goes off the front early in the race.
- Julie Bresset (France) pushes hard in order to take back time on the leading pair.
- Jitka Skarnitzlova (Czech Republic) took second by more than a minute from Julie Bresset (France).
- Ines Thoma (Germany) rode strongly to ninth place.
- Sanne Cant (Belgium) finished 3.47 minutes down in eighth.
- Annie Last took 16th for Great Britain.
- Canada's only entrant Andreanne Pichette finished in 21st spot.
- Samara Sheppard (New Zealand)
- Stephanie White was the highest finisher from the United States of America, finishing 23rd.
- Amy Cox (United States Of America)
- Jitka Skarnitzlova (Czech Republic) took second place, 28 seconds behind victor Alla Boyko.
- Alla Boyko (Ukraine) set an average speed of 18.05 km/h over the 25.64 kilometre course.
- Ukrainian Alla Boyko discovers those wet rocks can be tricky...
- ...while Julie Bresset (France) does a better job.
- Kathrin Stirnemann (Switzerland) was fourth, two spots ahead of countrywoman Vivianne Meyer.
- Samara Sheppard (New Zealand) struggles on the rocks on her way to 19th place.
- Amy Cox (United States Of America) was the last rider home in 26th place.
- Yes, that is Alla Boyko (Ukraine), the new junior world champion, under all that mud!
- Podium (L-R): Jitka Skarnitzlova (Czech Republic), Alla Boyko (Ukraine), Julie Bresset (France).
- Podium (L-R): Jitka Skarnitzlova (Czech Republic), Alla Boyko (Ukraine), Julie Bresset (France).
Race 1 - September 4: Team relay,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Vogels immediately went to the front for Switzerland.
- Georgia Gould was the lead-off rider for the US.
- Thomas Litscher, rider # 2 for Switzerland
- Andy Eyring for Germany
- Filip Adel (Czech Republic) tackles the rocks.
- Kenji Takeya (Japan)
- James Williamson (New Zealand)
- For the first time ever, Israel competed in the team relay.
- Ethan Gilmore (USA)
- Thomas Litscher (Switzerland)
- Alex Paton (Great Britain)
- Piotr Brzozka rode second for Poland.
- Umbert Almenara Verges (Spain)
- Ethan Gilmore (USA)
- Sabine Spitz anchors for Germany.
- Nino Schurter (Switzerland) set a blistering final lap pace.
- Poland's Dariusz Batek
- American Adam Craig
- Waiting to start the last lap
- Nino Schurter gives the Swiss their first medal at the 2007 MTB World Championships.
- Poland takes silver
- Adam Craig's last lap charge came up short - check out the Argyll socks.
- Podium: Poland, Switzerland, US
- Team USA displays their wares.
- Switzerland show theirs.
