VIBE RACING @ THE UCI WORLD CUP
ROUND TWO, FORT WILLIAM
26TH-28TH MAY 2006

FRIDAY

Well after and abnormally early start and a stop of for Perthshire’s greatest breakfast we finally arrived in Fort Bill and went along to the race village to see how things were shaping up for the weekend. According to reports there have been constant showers all week but by all accounts the track is holding up well and the riders are loving it. The pits were pretty quiet today, something which defiantly cannot be said about the inaugural Vibe Racing night out of the 2006 World Cup!

Starting off in the Bank Street in it was more of a sprint than a drinking marathon as we raced to ‘DOWN IT’! before heading to The Nevis bar where all the havoc ensued, much thanks to BUFFMAN’s tattoo in permanent marker which soon meant everyone had to have one!! Many many pints of Stella later we all tumbled out and tried to make out way back to our beds. Stuntman had other ideas…
Put it this way…he was the drunkest man in Jamaica and had only the smallest loin cloth to maintain his dignity!!
Small piece of gossip which might just be something out of nothing…but Cedric Gracia has been riding in jeans and a hoody all weekend…perhaps a little fall out with the sponsors? Who knows!
Keep it locked on Vibe Racing.co.uk for all the latest news from the Nevis Range.

SATURDAY

Another ridiculously early start today and lots more rain to keep us nice and moist! Downhill practice this morning and most of the top guys seem to be holding a little back for tomorrow but from the looks of things today the racing should be as good as ever with any one of the top 15-20 riders in with a shot of glory and with this unpredictable weather I wouldn’t be overly shocked if we see an unknown taking the top step come Sunday PM.
Talking of podiums, the 4X finals took place last night and it was no surprise to see defending champion and current world cup leader Michal Prokop setting the pace with the ever dominant force in the woman’s, Jill Kintner doing the same. Practice seemed to go well for all the riders with only spattering of rain and no major crashes and so onto the racing.

Despite the rain it was well worth sticking around for the heats with lots of clashes, but not so many crashes and on the whole, the more senior riders showed the up and coming kids how it should be done until we had Prokop, Deldycke, Kovarik and Lopes lining up for the men’s final. No shocks in the woman’s, Kintner blows them away and takes yet another win. No Brit’s in either of the finals was a little disappointing, and crowd favourite Cedric Gracia (back in his sponsors kit) could only manage a 5th place finish tonight. Down to the serious business of the final and Prokop takes everyone to school, Lopes follows him home, then Kovarik (complete with new carbon 3 spoke wheels! Old Skool!) Frenchman Deldycke complete the mens 4X podium for 2006.
The Saturday night for Vibe Racing was more subdued than our previous efforts, I think the threat of jail time and the longs days with crap weather as taken it out of everyone, but a good night none the less and I’m sure we will all be up for it come tomorrows DH final.

SUNDAY

The prospect of dragging our sorry asses out of bed for another rain drenched early morning was a little too much today so I didn’t catch much of the final practice session for the DH, going on reaction in the pits however the course has held together well and the riders all seem to be finding good speed. The Semi-finals are just about to start so back up the hill for me…
Some bad news from the semi final runs, long-time Vibe-wanna-be, Ben Cathro has had a pretty bad crash just below the deer gate, with the result what looks like a broken collar bone. Ben really does seem to be bang out of luck when it comes to the Fort William World Cup. As for the women, it was first blood to Tracy Moseley who set a time of 5.15.52, ten and a half seconds ahead of the 2nd placed rider Helen Gaskell, surprisingly Rachel Atherton and Sabrina Jonnier are a further nine seconds back, expect to see them out to make up some serious time in the finals.
Mens, Greg Minnaar sets the pace with a 4.28.30 ahead of Sam Hill, Barel, Peat, Gee then Gracia, only three seconds separates these 6 riders!
The woman’s final has just finished and it was a great result for GBR with Tracy Moseley continuing her good run of form winning in a time of 5.12.05 followed by Junior World Champion Rachel Atherton a full 7 seconds back with Jonnier, Gaskel and Gros completing the womens podium.
Men’s final is underway…

Thankfully the rain stayed off for the majority of the final day of the 2006 World Cup here in Fort William and this made for some excellent racing. The men’s race was always going to be a bit of a lottery with any one of the top ten UCI ranked riders a good bet at taking home the glory. After a long stretch in the hot seat Nathan Rennie was finally displaced by Marc Beaumont, however his stay wouldn’t last long as Cedric Gracia crossed the line to take the lead for a good while until Sam Hill came down in a blistering time of 4.25.33 to eventually take the win, his first in the WC this season.

All in all an excellent weekend of racing, drinking and everything else that goes with it, the 2007 World Championships here promise to be something very special, make sure you’re there, we sure as hell will be!!

Be sure to check out www.fortwilliamworldcup.com.

Next thing to look out for on Vibe Racing.co.uk is the SDA Round 2 Report from Ae Forest. Our next event is the third round of the SDA Series at Pitfichie, near Aberdeen on 17th/18th June, see you all there.

‘mon the Vibe!

~ Report by Diddy ~

Downhill Podium Results.

Men:
1) Sam Hill 4:25.33
2) Cedric Gracia 4:26.59
3) Greg Minnaar 4:27.64
4) Steve Peat 4:27.68
5) Gee Atherton 4:27.77

Women:
1) Tracy Moseley 5:12.05
2) Rachel Atherton 5:19.63
3) Sabrina Jonnier 5:20.94
4) Helen Gaskell 5:22.57
5) Céline Gros 5:25.13

Men’s Overall Downhill Points Standings:
1) Sam Hill 352
2) Steve Peat 330
3) Cedric Gracia 292
4) Mick Hannah 274
5) Nathan Rennie 266

Full Results http://www.sport-electronic.com/results/2006/Fort/MTB_Fort.htm