We Åre the Worlds Are, Sweden Sept. 15-19, 1999 After 16 rounds of the World Cup and several US NORBA events, it's time to pull out the stops and see who really gets to be called daddy. It's time for the 10th annual UCI World Championships. Day One: Spain Takes Team Relay. It's a World Cup XC Wrap Houffalize, Belgium XC#8 Sept. 4-5, 1999 The cross-country mountain bike season wrapped up this weekend in grand style in the small country of Belgium as the Diesel-UCI World Cup ended its ninth season with spectacular racing on all fronts. Canadian Alison Sydor won her third World Cup overall and Australian Cadel Evans his second, both riding for the dominant Volvo-Cannondale team. Downhill Champs Crowned Kaprun, Austria DH#8 DS#8 Aug. 14-15, 1999 Everyone knew it was coming, but this weekend the Diesel-UCI World Cup downhill series was officially locked up by the dynamic duo of racing, France's Nicolas Vouilloz and Anne-Caroline Chausson. In a rain-influenced final round in front of thousands of boisterous Austrian fans, the downhill season ended this weekend just as it had begun - with Nico and A-C wearing the leader's jerseys. Brutal Course in Bromont Bromont, Quebec, Canada. DH#7 DS#7 Aug. 6-8, 1999 There was no fat lady singing on Bromont's race course at this weekend's World Cup downhill, and even there had been, she'd surely have slipped and fallen in the mud. But you could practically hear the voices in the trees Sunday, announcing not only another win for Vouilloz and Chausson, but the end of '99's championship contest. Hot Fun in Quebec Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec, Canada. DH#6 DS#6 July 30-Aug. 1, 1999 Hot fun in the summertime best describes Mont Sainte-Anne's annual mountain bike race, the popular destination known for its great courses, superior organization and - this year at least - wonderful weather. Chausson and Steve Peat take the downhill and Eric Carter and Katrina Miller dual. Squealin' Wheelies in Squaw Squaw Valley, CA. DH#5 DS#5 July 10-11, 1999 This unrelenting rock chute of an elevator shaft course meant many a face plant. In this World Cup, the runners-up were the surprise. Australian Christopher Kovarik showed up broke and walked with two Gs. Another Set of Winners Canmore, Alberta: XC#7 July 3-4, 1999 The 1999 mountain bike World Cup season continued its unpredictable journey around the world this weekend when yet another pair of winners in Gunn-Rita Dahle and Thomas Frischknecht graced the top of the podium. Big B-Air World Cup Big Bear, CA: DH#4,DL#4 XC#6 June 26-27, 1999 For the only time this season, all three World Cup disciplines at one venue and in one weekend. With the Downhill, Dual and Cross-Country all going off at Big Bear Lake, you're sure to find something you like. Downhill #2: Vouilloz and Chausson Speed to Win Maribor, SLO: DH#2, May 29-30, 1999 So what was there to complain about at the second downhill of '99? Well, nothing unless you hate mountain bike racing. Maribor's first crack at world cup MTB racing was a raging success and left attendees heads' spinning faster than Vouilloz's rear wheel. Downhill #1: A Muddy Disc-race Les Gets, FRA: DH#1, May 23-24, 1999 Cédric Gracia (FRA, Volvo-Cannondale) may have put it best when he said in pre-race press conference: "In boat racing, you don’t push the boat, so in downhilling you shouldn’t push the bike." Unfortunately for the silver medal finisher and a couple hundred of his colleagues, that’s exactly what happened when a springtime storm hit the French Alps. British World Cup a Stunner Plymouth, GB: XC#5, May 15-16, 1999 Flying Dutchman Bas Van Dooren took his first World Cup win this weekend and the women put on a show as Marga Fullana took it in a split second after a blurry sprint finish on a track winding around English moors and bombholes with six water crossings per lap. Meirhaeghe, Pezzo Return to Spotlight St. Wendel, GER: XC#4, May 8-9, 1999 By the time 10,000-plus fans had vacated the huge party tent, deserted the sports center and ceased in chanting "hey-hey-hey," Belgium’s Filip Meirhaeghe (Mountain Dew-Specialized) and Italian babe Paola Pezzo (ITA, Gary Fisher Saab) had marked their return to the spotlight with convincing wins. Viva Marga! Madrid, SPA: XC#3, April 24-25, 1999 Margarita Fullana wowed her home crowd this weekend after winning the country's first Cross Country title. All the racers dug the enthusiastic fans, including men's winner Cadel Evans, who thanked 'em as he crossed the line. Aussies Find Silver Lining Sydney, AUS: XC#2, April 10-11, 1999 The Diesel-UCI Mountain Bike World Cup took its second step of an eight-move dance this weekend when 7,000 fans came out to have a look-see at the new Olympic course for the 2000 Games. Dunlap, Martinez Take Opener Napa, CA: XC#1, March 27-29, 1999 World Cup racing headed for this hills of Napa this weekend as the Diesel-sponsored UCI tour gave up a victory to a homegirl (Alison Dunlap) and a nod to the traditional (Miguel Martinez).