UCI World MTB Championships: Downhill

Day six was downhill day at the UCI World MTB and Trials Championships in Rotorua, New Zealand, with the rainbow jerseys being contested on a steep 2.2km course on the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha. First up were the Junior Women, who found themselves racing in strong winds at the top of the course. Last year's winner, Rachel Atherton, was racing in the Elite category, so whatever happened there'd be a new World Champion. As it turned out, the crown was passed from one downhill family to another, with the rainbow jersey going to Tracey Hannah, sister of Mick Hannah.

There was guaranteed to be a new World Champion in the Elite Women event, with so-many-times-winner-we've-lost-count Anne-Caroline Chausson having retired. Competition was always going to be stiff, though. 2004 World Champion Vanessa Quin, the only other woman to win a world title for about the last decade, had the home advantage. Then there was World Cup Champion Tracy Moseley and previous Junior World Champions Rachel Atherton and Scarlett Hagen. But it was perhaps only fitting that it was Sabrina Jonnier, second so many times to Chausson, who finally stood on top of the podium. It was still a good day for Britain, though - Moseley was second and Atherton third, despite dislocating her shoulder in practice the previous day.

Senior Women

• 1. JONNIER Sabrina FRA 3:50.32
• 2. MOSELEY Tracy GBR 3:53.83 +3.51
• 3. ATHERTON Rachel GBR 3:57.80 +7.48
• 4. BUHL Melissa USA 4:00.40 +10.08
• 5. RAGOT Emmeline FRA 4:01.03 +10.71

• 6. GRIFFITHS Fionn GBR 4:02.22 +11.90
• 12. GASKELL Helen GBR 4:09.88 +19.56

Junior Women

• 1. HANNAH Tracey AUS 4:07.07 200.0
• 2. PUGIN Floriane FRA 4:11.74 +4.67
• 3. GATTO Micayla CAN 4:40.91 +33.84

News from the Kona Les Get camp

Tracy Moseley had the fastest qualifying time by almost three seconds but in the finals placed second to Sabrina Jonnier (France) by almost the same margin. Moseley's finish was definitely the silver lining in an otherwise rough outing for the Kona Les Get Factory Team.

Heavy rains up to the event made the track very slippery and dangerous. Tracy rode very well but in her own words was a bit hesitant and cautious on the final run. There was a very large drop i n the middle of the course that she opted to go around and was as the results show a bit too conservative in the end. Regardless, while a bit disappointed she is very happy with her run and her placing. This is her best finish in the World Championships and her first medal. Something to be proud of for sure.

Now the task at hand is to maintain her lead and take home the overall World Cup title.

We expect a personal account from Tracey soon in her regular race update.