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1997 Mountain Biking World Cup Mountain Zone Coverage of the Grundig/UCI 1997 World Cup |
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1997 World Cup Preview! by Ari Cheren
Mountain biking's World Cup is, simply, the international point series for the world's best professional mountain bikers. Governed by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) and sponsored by German electronics giant Grundig, the World Cup features top pros from all countries who are vying for points and an international championship. The cross country and downhill rider with the most points at the end of the season is declared World Cup champion. Sound simple? Well, not quite. There's also the World Championships (also called "Worlds"), a one-day affair held in a different country each year (Switzerland this year). The winners of these cross country and downhill competitions are crowned World Champion. Confusing, but suffice to say that the World Cup circuit is where the hot action is - week in and week out. So let's see what we have to look forward to in this season of elite racing. THE RACE VENUES
All World Cup race courses are the best quality available, and must meet rigorous standards. Countries on the schedule this season also include Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Canada, Belgium and France. All races take place on weekends between April and September, culminating with the World Cup Finals in Annecy, France. Can you say frequent flier miles? CROSS COUNTRY RIDERS 1997 features a wealth of talent in the XC. Alison Sydor, hailing from Canada and riding for Volvo/Cannondale was last season's points champion and first place finisher at the '96 Australian Worlds. She's one of the heavy favorites coming into this season, and is always a sure bet for the podium. Paola Pezzo, riding for Team Gary Fisher and Italy, is the 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist and is looking very good already season. In her first two races at Napa and New Zealand, she completely dominated the field and is on record as saying she plans to win every race this season. Strong words, but this is a very strong (and stylish) woman. Another woman to watch this season is Gunn-Rita Dahle, last season's number two riding for American Eagle and Norway. She's only 24 and in her third season of racing, but possesses more potential to do damage than any woman out there. American hero Juli Furtado (GT) is still recovering from Lyme's Disease and has been a bit slow out of the gate, but never count out this tough competitor. Other women with big potential are Chantal Daucourt (Trek), Lesley Tomlinson (Kona) and Caroline Alexander (Ritchey). Among the XC men, the competition is much more deep and intense. With Europe dominating the results in World Cup, it's interesting to watch rivalries between Italy and France while rooting for an American to place in the top ten. It's easy to predict top finishes for riders like France's Miguel Martinez (Sunn-Nike) and countryman/teammate Christophe Dupouey (1st and 2nd ranked last season), but you never know who's going to break out. Young riders like Diamondback's Cadel Evans and Trek's Michael Rasmussen are riding strongly thus far and have serious potential to win a championship, as do veterans Thomas Frishknecht (Ritchey) and Rune Hoydahl (Giant). One thing is for sure; the racing will be intense, and you should never miss an opportunity to see these guys in action. THE DOWNHILL
When prognosticating on a woman's eventual champion, one name is always at the top of the list; Anne-Caroline Chausson. Riding for the amazing Sunn-Nike team out of France, Chausson is possibly the greatest female DH racer so far. Hot on her heels, though, will be American freakshow Missy Giove (Volvo/Cannondale) looking to best her 2nd place ranking from last season by beating the French at their own game. To that end, she's currently training and competing in the French national DH series. Another American to watch is Leigh Donovan (Mongoose). Third last season and 2nd at the Australian Worlds, Donovan has her eye on some solid finishes and a rainbow jersey. Other women to watch include Spain's Mercedes Gonzalez (GT), France's heir-apparent Nolvenn LeCaer (GT) and the always fast Giovanna Bonazzi (Sintesi). Men's competition in World Cup downhill racing is so unpredictable, you might have better luck predicting the weather. At places like last year's finals in Hawaii, the weather is exactly what determined the winners, so you never know. Obviously, champion Nicolas Vouilloz (Sunn-Nike) and No. 3 U.S. honch Mike King (GT) will be out in front this season. But watch also the meteoric rise of American Shaun Palmer (Specialized) who now has full team support and a season of great racing under his belt. Spaniard Tomas Misser finished the season second in points and will no doubt be an exciting prospect. Part of the fun in following World Cup mountain bike racing is exactly what makes it hard for writers like me to predict a winner. Mountain bike racing is one of the few competitive sports in the world where you must go at a full sprint, on machines that only you can repair during the race. The weather, terrain, equipment and competitors make it a crazy mix of mud, sweat and gears. And that's why you should do yourself a favor and check out a race in your neck of the woods. We'll see you in the feed zone. -- Ari Cheren (Cheren@aol.com) rides and writes in Southern California |
