You all know the results by now, sorry I couldnt post up earlier but all the computers in the media centre were chockers after the race.

Jill Kinter blitzed the womens to win by a country mile. 16 women showed up to race for the world title but only 8 did after big crashes in practice and the general scary nature of the course which really has to be seen to be believed.

In the press conference’s afterwards all the riders men & women talked about was how big & fast the course was & how they’d never ridden anything like it.

In the mens most of the aussies were out early as the format is brutal, all heats are elimination with only the top two going thro. Amiel crashed (front wheel wash out) whilst making a move on 2nd, Rando got caught up in someone else’s crash & was out and Strom had a tough draw and didn’t get thro. ALex Loyld was the only aussie past the 1st round but he was soon on the sidelines in the 2nd round.

Down to semi’s & a spot in the final up for grabs, most big names were left exept Gracia who was also out. Some french rider jumped into the 2nd turn right onto Lopes who went high, the low line has a jump & two into one don’t go. As you can imagine Lopes wasn’t happy and I saw him have words pointing to the french rider responsible. Lopes made the B final but didn’t make the trip back up the hill & packed up & went home early leaving only 3 to contest the B final.

Prokop got the holeshot in the final and Guido Tschugg was up to his usual tricks & layed down a rather questionable move on the first turn taking Roger Rinderkneckt high, Atherton turned down inside them both rocketing up to 2nd. Down the big straight Porkop lead easily and coming into turn 3 just before the wallride Tschugg layed down a text book T Bone on Atherton wrecking Atherton’s race, Roger went thro for 2nd and Atherton limped home last.

Dead set it was as dirty a move that I’ve ever seen, if it was bmx he’d be banned. Funny thing was everyone at the press conference acted like nothing had happened! It didn’t change the colour of Tschuggs medal as he was in 3rd anyway but Atherton after being in the silver medal spot goes home with nothing. Fiar dinkum I reckon UCI needs to clean up it’s act on the T Bone in 4X, it really doesnt look very professinal, racing is racing but that kinda stuff doesnt take skill.

I was right at the finish line and the aussies were leaning over the fence booing and Ameil was giving the thumbs down. All the cameras flocked to new world champ Prokop who after breaking his leg last year has had an amazing year, world cup champ & now world champ.

I noticed that not one journo or camera interviewed Atherton after the race so I went over and asked him what he thought of “that” move. I tell you what he’s a better person than me casue he was very diplomatic and said “everyone is so hungry in the final, I just saw this big red flash come up the inside……”

All in all I had a good day, a few showers overnight cleared but left the DH course muddy. I mainly did interviews in the morning, it was pretty cool lining up to interview Steve Peat, Minnar, Rennie, Kovarik, Rando, Ameil & then Bell & Bain! 

All the aussie juniors said they took their seeding runs easy & had plenty left in the tank at the end of the run. James Maltman over jumped the big dam jump (yes they jump right over a dam) said he had too much speed as it was the 1st run he’d done in the skinsuits and blew his ankle out, he’s still riding but it’s giving him grief. Other then that the other aussies are lookin good, Rennie says he feels good as did Mick Hannah, Sambo said something but I didn’t hear what he said… 

Whilst in the Aussie team pit talking to former west aussie Sarah Booth about “back in the day” this kiwi guys rocks up with this awesome motorised DH bike, Mick Hannah rode it around a bit & reckons it turns just like a DH bike. It’s got a 125cc engine, all the fruit, VERY well built & designed & retails for about $8000 aussie, it was pretty cool & had everyone drooling, Gracia loved it! Awesome for training, the guy said the SAS has just brought a heap of him, they tested em & love em.

Saw Mick from highways today & a few more WA crew.

Tomorrows the big one, final DH runs to decide who reins the world, forecast is for evening showers so hopefully they come late & it isn’t too much of a disadvantage for those going last which is Ben, Joel & Mitch, either way it should be good & I can’t wait!