(By 2 time National DH Champ, Luna Chix Marla Streb
Tracy Moseley is the winner of downhill for women.
(photo by Chris Milliman).
It would be great if the legs of downhillers could speak. They would probably scream if they could talk. The Sea Otter DH race was one of the most challenging ever. Physically, not technically. The BMX-style, short course was irrigated with both rainwater and running springs.
Jared Graves was the Gravity Omnium Champ and expected to win. It was his decision to use a Yeti 10 cm mountaincross bike and a Maxxis TT fast-rolling tire in the back that won the race. Graves relied upon the MX Yeti’s instant pedaling response to win the race on the muddy and rutted power course.
Graves, who spent the Australian winter BMXing and arrived at the top Sea Otter start hill on legs of steel, had previously been to Australia. After his victory, he reached the bottom.
Second place finisher Barel revealed that it is not about being quick. It’s about knowing when to slow down. I did my best to save energy at the top, and ignored the spectators’ requests. I still had enough energy at the bottom to pedal the section.
That was the trick. Many riders complained that they were pushing too hard up the hill, and the crowd was begging for more rhythm jumps.
Tracy Moseley, the World Champion Vanessa Quinn, Sabrina Jonnier, and Anneke Beerten were the top women finishers. Melissa Buhl, 2005 U.S. downhill champion, took 5th place on the DH podium.
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
Ryan Finney from the local area, who raced for WTB-Fox-Santa Cruz was America’s proudest son, only missing out on the podium in sixth. One would think that Finney would have a direct line to the finish, as the course designer. Eric Carter, 4-Cross World Champion Eric Carter, pointed out that there were very few line options today. It was all about sheer horsepower. Finney tried to get the fastest possible speed advantage by wearing a skinsuit with goggles. It all came down to the legs. Legs made of steel Finney’s final word was pain.
It seems like legs can actually talk!
GRAVITY OMNIUM STAGE II DOWNHILL RESULTS
1. Jared Graves (Aus).YetiFox
2. Fabian Barel, (Fra).
3. John Kirkcaldie (NZl)Maxxis
4. Cedric Gracia (Fra)Commerical
5. Steve Peat (GBr)Santa Cruz Syndicate
6. Ryan FinneyWTB-Fox-Santa Cruz
7. Nathan Rennie (Aus)Santa Cruz Syndicate
8. Nico Vink (Bel)Dolphin Bike
9. Bryn Atkinson (Aus)GT Bicycles
10. Justin Leov (NZl.YetiFox
WOMEN
1. Tracy Moseley (GBr).
2. Anneke Beerten (Ned)Specialized
3. Vanessa Quin (NZl)Dirt-Intense
4. Sabrina Jonnier (Fra)Monster-Ironhorse-Madcatz
5. Melissa BuhlKHS
