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Mountain Bike World Championships - CM
Val di Sole, Italy, June 17-22, 2008
Photography
Race 18 - June 22: Elite men cross country,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) wins with ease, ahead of his two Swiss team-mates.
- The men's cross country podium: Florian Vogel, Christoph Sauser and Ralph Naef - all from Switzerland.
- The Swiss trio, Florian Vogel, Christoph Sauser and Ralph Naef with their hardware.
- Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark) leads at start.
- Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) , Florian Vogel (Switzerland) and Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden) separate themselves from the bunch.
- Defending Champion Julien Absalon (France) chases.
- Christoph Soukup (Austria) leads chase group.
- Liam Killeen (Great Britain) leads a strong chase group.
- Oliver Beckingsale (Great Britain).
- Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark).
- Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) descending the rocky track.
- Julien Absalon (France).
- José Hermida (Spain).
- Marco Aurelio Fontana (Italy).
- Seamus Mcgrath (Canada).
- Thomas Frischknecht (Switzerland) competes in his last Worlds.
- Liam Killeen (Great Britain).
- Todd Wells (USA).
- Adam Craig (USA).
- Kashi Leuchs (New Zealand).
- Bart Brentjens (The Netherlands).
- Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA).
- Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium).
- Samuel Schultz (USA).
- Seamus McGrath (Canada).
- Adam Craig and Ralph Näf.
- Yury Trofimov (Russian Federation).
- Derek Zandstra (Canada).
- Sven Nys (Belgium) suffered badly in the heat and recorded a DNF.
- Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) was strong all race.
- Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden) wasn't able to match the Swiss.
- Julien Absalon (France) was unable to defend his title.
- José Antonio Hermida Ramos and Inaki Lejarreta get some encouragement.
- Roel Paulissen (Belgium).
- Todd Wells (USA).
- The end of an era - Thomas Frischknecht rides his last Worlds.
- Adam Craig (USA).
- Florian Vogel (Switzerland) was second today.
- Liam Killeen is back!
- Geoff Kabush (Canada) found it hot out there.
- Adam Craig celebrates as he comes across the line to finish a tough race.
- Well if Adam Craig can do it....
- Barry Wicks (USA) was one lap down by the time he finished.
- Ralph Näf (Switzerland) rounded out the all Swiss podium.
- Liam Killeen (Great Britain) rode a great race for fourth.
- Christoph Soukup (Austria) rode a smart race to finish sixth.
- Christoph Sauser is the new World Champion.
- Vogel briefly collapsed after finishing.
- Geoff Kabush cools off.
- Christoph Sauser with his new jersey and medal.
- A champion and his bike.
Race 17 - June 22: Elite women cross country,
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Margarita Fullana (Spain) hit the front early taking the lead on the first lap.
- Margarita Fullana (Spain) at the front on lap one.
- Sabine Spitz (Germany) takes over.
- Jingjing Wang (China)
- Spitz drives the group containing Margarita Fullana (Spain), Irina Kalentieva (Russia), and Blaza Klemencic (Slovenia).
- Willow Koerber (USA) leads Eva Lechner (Italy) and Jingjing Wang (China).
- Marie-Helene Premont (Canada) and Lene Byberg (Norway).
- Blaza Klemencic (Slovenia) fell off the pace at the end of the first lap.
- Georgia Gould (USA) put in the top American performance.
- Former world champion Laurence Leboucher (France).
- Lene Byberg (Norway)
- Third fastest American Mary McConneloug.
- Lea Davison logged the American surprise of the day.
- Kiara Bisaro (Canada)
- Willow Koerber (USA)
- Rosara Joseph (New Zealand) returns after an early season injury.
- Kelli Emmett (USA)
- Fiona MacDermid (Great Britain)
- The Gunn-Rita Dahle fan club.
- And the rider herself - Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Norway).
- Katerina Nash (Czech Republic)
- Elisabeth Osl (Austria)
- Georgia Gould (USA)
- Mary McConneloug (USA)
- Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Norway) heading for seventh place.
- Catharine Pendrel (Canada) climbs towards a sixth place finish.
- Margarita Fullana (Spain) claims her third career world championship title nine years after her first.
- Sabine Spitz (Germany) earned her second silver at a World Championships.
- Irina Kalentieva (Russia) takes the bronze medal.
- The new world champion Margarita Fullana thinks she is dreaming.
- The women's podium: Sabine Spitz, Margarita Fullana and Irina Kalentieva.
- Sabine Spitz, Margarita Fullana and Irina Kalentieva show off their new jewelry.
Race 16 - June 21: 4X Finals,
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Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- The women's 4X podium: Jana Horakova (Czech Republic), Melissa Buhl (United States Of America) & Romana Labounkova (Czech Republic).
- The women's 4X place getters..
- The men's 4X podium: Roger Rinderknecht (Switzerland), Rafael Alvarez De Lara Lu (Spain) & Mickael Deldycke (France).
- The medal winner look happy.
- Anneke Beerten (Netherlands) was the favourite until a crash in the final.
- Romana Labounkova (Czech Republic) took bronze.
- Silver medalist Jana Horakova (Czech Republic).
- World Champions Melissa Buhl (United States).
- Joost Wichman (Netherlands) easily made it through the 1/16 heat.
- Matej Vitko (Slovakia) won his 1/16th heat.
- Rafael Alvarez De Lara Lu (Spain) and Jurg Meijer (Netherlands) both went through when Stapic crashed.
- Jared Graves (Australia) easily won his 1/8 heat.
- Scott Beaumont (GBr).
- Roger Rinderknecht (Switzerland) and Joost Wichman (Netherlands) go forward to semi's.
- Late evening racing in the Italian Mtns.
- Rafael Alvarez De Lara Lu (Spain) and Romain Saladini (France).
- For Brain Lopes a repeat as World Champion was not to be.
- Rafael Alvarez De Lara Lu stayed upright in final when his opponents crashed.
Race 15 - June 21: Elite men downhill finals,
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Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Gee Atherton took the gold with a killer ride.
- Steve Peat took another silver
- Sam Hill was unfortunate enough to crash
Images by Russell Baker
- Nice jump, Sam Hill!
- Things were still going ok here.
- Hill starts his turn after the jump.
- Uh oh! Foot out.
- Whew! Foot back on.
- Well, not quite.
- Uh oh.
- Hill loses his six second lead.
- He's almost invisible in a cloud of dust.
- Back up again in no time.
- Go, go, go!
- Going again.
- After all that on his way to third.
- Still good enough for a bronze at the World Championships.
Race 14 - June 21: Elite women downhill finals,
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Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Rachel Atherton's ride would have put her top 20 in the men's race.
- Sabrina Jonnier took silver
Race 13 - June 21: Junior men and women downhill finals,
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Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Miranda Miller (Canada) ended the day 4th.
- Myriam Nicole (France) came home for the silver medal.
- Mélanie Pugin (France) rounded out the all French podium with bronze.
- Anais Pajot (France) took the win ahead of her two French team-mates.
- Anais Pajot on her way to a world championship jersey.
- Myriam Nicole, Anais Pajot & Mélanie Pugin a French sweep of the podium.
- They even had enough flags!
- Myriam Nicole, Anais Pajot & Mélanie Pugin.
- Joey Schusler (USA).
- Kevin Aiello (USA).
- Graeme Pitts (USA).
- Simon Garstin (Canada) was the top Horth American in 16th.
- Naish Ulmer (USA).
- Mario Kranz - Probably the only downhiller you will ever see in Liechtenstein colours...
- Danny Hart (Great Britain) finished 6th.
- Danny Hart (Great Britain) rode well but was 10 seconds down on the winner.
- Alex Prochazka (Canada) finished 19th.
- Sam Dale (Great Britain) took silver.
- Sam Dale (Great Britain) was almost eight seconds down in second.
- Joseph Smith (Great Britain) finishe the day in 11th.
- Joseph Smith (Great Britain).
- Shaun O'Connor (Australia) wore no protection for the run.
- Aari Barrett (New Zealand) was 4th.
- Brook MacDonald (New Zealand) one place behind his team-mate in 5th
- Josh Bryceland (Great Britain) broughy home the day's first gold for the Brits.
- Josh Bryceland (Great Britain) stormed to the win.
- Josh Bryceland (Great Britain) looks focused.
- Rémi Thirion (France) took the bronze.
- Rémi Thirion (France).
- The junior men's podium: Sam Dale (Great Britain), Josh Bryceland (Great Britain) & Rémi Thirion (France).
- The junior men's podium: Sam Dale (Great Britain), Josh Bryceland (Great Britain) & Rémi Thirion (France).
Race 9 - June 20: U23 men cross country,
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Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- The early chase group Marc Colom (Fra), Fabian Giger (Sui) and Dario Alejandro Gasco (Arg)
- Frank Beemer (Ned) took eighth place.
- Ian Bibby (GBr) finished on the lead lap in 27th.
- Ian Bibby (GBr) was Great Britain's highest finisher.
- Israel's Rotem Ishai finished in 15th
- The group fighting for sixth in the last lap
- Nino Schurter (Switzerland) takes the gold
- Burry Stander (South Africa) seems disappointed with silver
- Matthias Flückiger adds a bronze for Switzerland
- Steady traffic at the start
- Swiss rider Nino Schurter and South Africa's Burry Stander separated themselves from the rest on the first half lap.
- Stephane Tempier (Can) would finish in the top five
- Fabian Giger (Swi) leads Austrian Robert Gehbauer and a line of chasers
- Raphael Gagne (Canada) logged North America's highest finish with seventh
- Ross Creber (GBr)
- Ian Field (GBr)
- Colin Cares (USA) and Marios Athanasiades (Cyprus)
- Mitchell Peterson (USA)
- Dario Alejandro Gasco (Argentina)
- A British rider
- Tim Allen was the top American in 41st place.
- Nino Schurter powers to the win for Switzerland.
- Burry Stander (South Africa)
- Dario Gasco (Argentina)
- Raphael Gagne (Canada)
- Tim Allen (USA)
- Nino Schurter (Switzerland)
- South Africa's Burry Stander put in a strong bid for the title
- The U23 men's XC podium: Burry Sander (South Africa), Nino Schurter (Switzerland) and Matthias Flückiger (Switzerland)
- UCI President Pat McQuaid recognizes Thomas Frischknecht's years of excellence
Race 5 - June 19: Junior men cross country,
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Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Peter Sagan (Slovakia) went to the front and stayed there
- Matthias Rupp (Switzerland)
- Jonas De Backer (Belgium) was one of the early challengers
- Fabian Strecker (Germany) was 4th
- Mirco Widmer (Switzerland) leads a chasing group.
- Anthony Grenet (France) attacks the climb.
- Charlton Durie (Australia) takes a drink.
- Dirk Peters (New-Zealand)
- Peter Sagan (Slovakia) was the epitome of focus in the men's junior race.
- Arnaud Jouffroy (France) came to win, but had to settle for second.
- Matthias Rupp (Switzerland) suffered in for third.
- Luca Braidot (Italy) took sixth.
- Jonas De Backer (Bel) leads Henk Jaap Moorlag (Ned) and Fabian Strecker (Ger)
- Micki Van Empel (Netherlands) feels the heat in the junior men's race.
- Robbie Squire (USA) heads across the grassy field.
- Arnaud Jouffroy (France)
- Peter Sagan (Slovakia) takes the win in the men's junior cross country.
- Arnaud Jouffroy happ with silver
- Rupp takes the Swiss flag to bronze
- Junior Men's XC ready to start
- Seamus Powell (USA) and David Miguel Costa Rodrigues (Portugal)
- Matthias Rupp in early lead group
- John Bennett (USA)
- Seamus Powell (USA)
- Alexander Gehbauer (Austria) was a favourite until a broken rear derailleur knocked him out on the second lap
- John Bennett (USA)
- Jonas De Backer (Belgium)
- Evan Guthrie (canada)
- Peter Sagan finished with a comfortable lead
- Arnaud Jouffroy (France)
- Matthias Rupp (Switzerland)
- The real race was for 4th between Fabian Strecker (Germany), Mirco Widmer (Switzerland) and Luca Braidot (Italy)
- Peter Sagan (Slovakia) celebrates his victory in the junior men's cross country race.
- The Junior Men's XC podium: Arnaud Jouffroy, Peter Sagan, Matthias Rupp
Race 3 - June 18: U23 women cross country,
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Images by Rob Jones / www.canadiancyclist.com
- Tanja Zakelj (Slovenia) goes to the front on the first climb
- Nathalie Schneitter (Switzerland) and Aleksandra Dawidowicz (Poland) were second and third.
- Emily Batty (Canada) and Julie Krasniak (France)
- Chengyuan Ren (People's Republic Of China) is not riding like the rider who won the first World Cup of the year.
- Tanja Zakelj and Nathalie Schneitter on the first climb
- Aleksandra Dawidowicz (Poland)
- Julie Krasniak (France)
- Jamie Dinkins (United States of America)
- Tanja Zakelj (Slovenia)
- Jamie Dinkins (United States of America)
- Caroline Mani (France) and Nataliya Krompets (Ukraine)
- Nathalie Schneitter was happy with silver.
- Accept the flag....
- Then try not to crash... Tanja Zakelj (Slovenia) wins the U23 women's XC.
- Aleksandra Dawidowicz flies the flag for Poland and takes the bronze.
- Emily Batty (Canada) would finish sixth.
- U23 Women's podium: Nathalie Schneitter (Switzerland) - second, Tanja Zakelj (Slovenia) - first, Aleksandra Dawidowicz (Poland) - third
Race 2 - June 18: Junior women cross country,
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Images by Sue George / Cyclingnews
- Colombian Laura Abril races a more dried out track.
- Laura Abril on her way to a world championship.
- Laura Abril celebrates her win.
- And they're off!
- It was the first sunny day in the Val di Sole.
- Big white puffy clouds sure beat yesterday's rain.
- Colombian Laura Abril
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Heading up first climb.
- Barbara Benko (Hungary) & Laura Abril (Colombia) rode away on the first climb.
- Vivianne Meyer (Switzerland).
- Paula Gorycka (Poland).
- Annie Last (Great Britain) finished 9th.
- Samara Sheppard (New Zealand).
- Leah Kirchmann (Canada).
- Jill Behlen (USA) , Diedre York (USA) & Marta Pastore (Italy).
- Jill Behlen (USA) and Diedre York (USA).
- Alla Boyko (Ukraine) the defending champion was a DNF.
- Bianca Adolf (Canada) was 6th.
- Laura Abril (Colombia).
- Barbara Benko leads Laura Abril.
- Mona Eiberweiser (Germany) took the bronze.
- Annie Last (Great Britain).
- Barbara Benko (Hungary).
- Abril rode away on the last lap.
- Bianca Adolf caught Gorycka at the start of the last lap , but crashed in the final downhill.
- Laura Abril wins Colombia's first ever world title in mountain bike.
- Mona Eiberweiser happily takes the bronze.
- The junior women's podium: Barbara Benko, Laura Abril & Mona Eiberweiser.
- The top three showing off their medals.
Race 1 - June 17: Team relay,
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Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- The first lap and the closest thing to a pack in the Team Relay
- Laurence Leboucher managed to keep the French out in front
- Petra Henzi was on the silver medal Swiss squad
- Zandstra moved up five places in his lap
- Italy, Switzerland and France went to the front on the first climb
- Peraud attacks on the first climb
- Emil Lindgren led out for Sweden
- Raphael Gagne was just behind the leaders on the first climb
- Jouffroy managed to maintain the lead that Peraud had built for France in the first lap
- Switzerland was already behind France and chasing by lap two.
- Italy fell out of the top-five on lap two
- Catharine Pendrel moved Canada into 10th
- Australia was as high as third after Daniel McConnell's ride
- John Bennett rode second for the USA
- Leboucher heads up the first climb
- Petra Henzi looks ahead to the riders she needs to catch
- Riders waiting their turn
- Vuillermoz takes last hand off from Leboucher
- Nino Schurter had a nearly three minute gap to make up , but managed to make it to second place
- Adam Craig (USA)
- France takes their first ever Relay title
- The Team Relay World Champions
- Podium is a bit crowded
- World Champions Team France
- Team Switzerland takes silver
- Show me the gold
