1999 World Cup Mountain Biking
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Peat's Within 50 of Vouilloz Mont Ste. Anne, Quebec: DH#6, DS#6 Steve Peat (GBR, GT) took another step toward a possible World Cup series championship this weekend. The determined Brit won his second downhill of the '99 season and has moved to within 50 points of Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA, Sunn) in the title chase. Anne-Caroline Chausson, meanwhile, nearly locked up her championship, taking her fifth win of the season - this week against "The Missile" Giove.
Chausson was the first to take advantage of the conditions, first winning the semi-final run by 13 seconds in the mud, then repeating her speed in the afternoon's finals and beating rival Missy Giove (USA, Foes/Azonic). Giove had qualified 8th fastest, posting a solid final run which was clean enough for silver. She is still injured from a training accident, however, and said it was hard to hold on through this treacherous 2.7 km course. While Giove was satisfied with her result, Chausson was as determined as ever to ensure a second consecutive championship, riding the then-dry course with brute strength and clean technique. She preferred the morning's damp conditions, as they demand better handling from the pilots advantageous for AC. But she did what she had to, beating Giove by 3.3 seconds and moving 430 points away from the number-two overall racer in the standings.
When Steve Peat won his first-ever World Cup downhill in Snoqualmie, WA last year he had taken a pre-race nap, and nearly overslept to miss his start. This weekend he also took a little snooze before the final, dreaming of no-brakes and fast riding. He made it to the start gate with plenty of time to realize his dream, beating The Alien Nicolas Vouilloz for the second time this season, "fair and square." His first win this season came in Les Gets in the mud, but this time there were no crashes on either rider's part to taint the victory. He simply outrode Nico, who nearly crashed trying to make up time on the course's lower section. It's been a tough season for the men, with margins tight and victory going to he who best hangs it out on the ragged edge. That was Peat, and his reward was another 250 points in the overall. Other notable rides include a 4th place by Eric Carter - his best world cup result ever - and Myles Rockwell with yet another podium finish. Bas De Bever had his best finish in a long time for 7th, and Corrado Herin - '97s champ - finished a strong 14th. Vouilloz now leads Peat by only 50 points, meaning the title is a two-horse race, and up for grabs if Peat can latch on and fly these next two races.
DUAL: Eric Carter Steps Up
Men's Dual action was all Eric Carter, who won his first World Cup dual of the season by beating Mike King in the final run. Carter said the course was excellent, allowing for passing - critical in this type of racing. Series leader Brian Lopes had been eliminated early by Phil Tinstman, who went on to finish 4th. Tinstman lost to Michel Marosi in the consolation round. Lopes leads Carter in the overall by 55 points. Next stop on the DH World Cup is this weekend, in Bromont, Quebec. Check back next week for the full story, and we'll see you at the races! MountainZone.com Correspondents, putting on our heels and dressing in drag... just for the fun of it. [World Cup Home]
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