Finals – WC#3 – Fort William

Jared Graves styling it up over the infamous jump into the finish arena, 76th is not the position Jared is aiming for though! His biggest challenge coming back to race downhill has been the arm pump, he struggles to hold on for a full run. On such rough World Cup tracks, like Fort William, you have to be able to hold on for near on five minutes! Photo: Jacob Gibbins

Another World Cup and another win for Aaron Gwin, this time it wasn’t as big a winning margin as we have seen from Aaron. It was an interesting race with the weather creating havoc for many riders. There were plenty of surprises with some riders doing extremely well while others really struggled.

As day broke in Scotland it revealed a wet, foggy mess. After having to water the track during the week now it was the opposite, it became water logged and muddy. It was immediately obvious, once the woman riders were on track, that times would be considerably slower. Riders were visibly coming up short on jumps they had previously been able to style over.

Mmm nothing like a shiny, clean race prepped rig! You can bet the mechanics had a lot of fun making the bikes look this clean after Sundays muddy conditions. Sam Hills frame, pictured here, is being auctioned off for charity now! Photo: Jacob Gibbins

It was the woman riders who were first on course braving the elements, in the end it was a two horse race between current World Champ Emmeline Ragot and fastest qualifier Rachel Atherton. Emmeline set a fast time early after a puncture in qualifying had her setting off mid pack. None of the other riders came close, Jill Kintner crashed, Tracey Hannah had a run that put her in sixth and Tracey Mosely, whoA�came back to race this race from her semi retirement,A�was fifth. It wasn’t until Rachel came through split one fastest thatA�Emmeline had reason to worry. By split two Rachel had lost two second to Emmeline but everyone knew she would dig deep at her home race. In the end she couldn’t close the gap and came second by 1.32 seconds. This was Rachel’s sixth second place finish at Fort William, consistent if nothing else.

The weather didn't deter a large crowd from forming. Did any one else notice the large amounts of nudity along the side of the track various spectators were exhibiting?! Crazy Brits probably just trying to get a tan! Photo: Jacob Gibbins

As the weather continued to change it was the mens’ turn to hit the track. Junior AussieA�Connor Fearon had a solid run and finished 38th, he continues to moveA�up through the overall.A�By his own admission Connor is chasing a top 30 at the next race in Mont Sainte Anne.A�Bryn Atkinson was one of the first ‘big name’ riders down the hill, he came down and took over the hot seat. Bryn is still chasing a big result this year, he would finish a solid 20th and continue his movement up the rankings. Unlike a lot of riders, Jared Graves had no problem with the jumps at the bottom of the course. However, he struggle up the top and finished a disappointingA�76th. Steve Peat decided to race after injuring his leg yesterday, unfortunately he over shot a corner and was out of the hunt. He was happy to have a beer down at the finish though!

Death grip coming into the final chute anyone? Damien Spagnolo of course, what a crazy rider! Photo: Jacob Gibbins

After last races disaster Mitch Delfs was looking for a solid result he delivered in Fort William withA�a 24th place finished. Josh Button snuck into the top 50 in 48th.A�After crashing in qualifying twice, while trying out different tyres, Aaron Gwin was next on course. He took the hot seat by nine seconds, it was hard to gauge how fast his time was with the rest of the top contenders still to come. Mic Hannah hit the course and put in a solid time to finish fifteenth. As Mic said not the result he was hoping for but an improvement no doubt, his progress will continue as the season goes on.

Mith Delfs charges into the finish for a solid 24th. photo: Jacob Gibbins

With Aaron in the hot seat riders got closer and closer to his time, none of the super fast Kiwi riders could knock him off. Sam Hill was on track and looking good, he put in a solid time for fourth, Sam’sA�definitely returning to form.

Fourth place for Sam Hill shows' he is returning to form, he will now head home quickly before the next round. Photo: Jacob Gibbins

Greg Minnaar had a mechanical after losing his chain when he hit one of Fort Williams many rocks. With not may riders left Gwin’s time was starting to look better and better. Stevie Smith couldn’t quite put it together, still suffering with an injury from last weekend. Once Danny Hart hit the course the current World Champion turned it on, you know he loves these conditions and they suit him well. He was up at split one, down at split two, he regained time in the last jump section of the track but was still 0.83 seconds down on Aaron Gwin. Gee Atherton, one of the local favourites, hit the course but was never really in the hunt for the winA�but still finished third! In an anticlimax last man down, Marc Beaumont, suffered aA�problem that gave Gwin the win!

Smiling as always, another win for Gwin! Photo: Jacob Gibbins

1. Aaron Gwin 4.48.21

2. Danny Hart 4.49.04 + 0.83

3. Gee Atherton 4.50.73 + 2.52

4. Sam Hill 4.51.74 + 3.53

5. Josh Bryceland 4.53.27 + 5.06

15. Mic Hannah 4.57.48 + 9.27

20. Bryn Atkinson 5.02.04 + 13.83

24. Mitch Delfs 5.03.21 + 15.00

38. Connor Fearon 5.06.63 + 18.42

48. Josh Button 5.10.03 + 21.82

76. Jared Graves 5.45.95 + 57.74

That almost wraps up our coverage from Fort William but stay tuned for Connor Fearon’s exclusive race report.

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