Champery World Cup Day 2

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Flat and Wet. Two words to sum up today in Champery. Deep in the Alps, or should that be steep in the Alps, Champery’s reputation preceded itself as riders arrived. The track was technically a brute, and this year it is just as tough. Practice on

Thursday was dusty and flowing, the steep, rooty shoots didn’t cause issue and the large moto jumps were styled over with effortless ease. However, rain can cause havoc. It started on Thursday afternoon and has been torrential in parts on and off since then. The track is now rutted, steep, muddy, so bloody hard and did I say muddy? The large jumps that required commitment and timing before are now an impressive feat to clear. Rider after rider rolled them this morning until BOOOOOM, Kovarik flew over sideways in a classic whip. Next Brendan, then Danny – these guys just don’t seem to view things differently with mud on their lenses.

So that was the wet explained, but what of the aforementioned ‘flat’. Well that was the atmosphere. This was Qualifying day for a World Cup. Semi Final day. I walked around the drawn out, lineated pits and struggled to find any other fans or spectators. No music, no buzz – nothing.

Cross country riders are here for their race on Sunday and their awnings also fill the pits – intermingled and sporadically populated, they didn’t bring anything to the atmosphere alas and still sit uneasily next to the downhill riders. They are clearly dedicated, the top riders talented and I have had my arse kicked on numerous occasions by a cross country rider, so have respect for them.

However, I do question this programming. In the women’s qualifying, there was one girl who was FLYING down the track. As we took the chairlift up to the start line, POMPON was bearing down on the rider in front of her- clearly faster, in more control and off the brakes. 16 second margin ahead of Sabrina Jonnier and 24 seconds up on Emmeline Ragot was devastating. And a French 1,2,3. Big well done to 4th place Manon Carpenter – wet Welsh Dragons have stood her in good stead – awesome result for this British Junior!

Many of the men’s field have been in Morzine for the past week or so and the training seems to be paying off. Although with 3 weeks of sun, the Thunder and Lightening at the start gate was a worry for the top seeds. Sam Blenkinsop took the top spot ahead of Damien Spagnolo and Gee in 3rd. Wyn Masters put in a storming ride for 5th, Brendan was well up in 4th after a ‘cruisey’ ride and Danny Hart smashed into the top 10 in 7th. Word must go out to Oliver Burton in 13th. Never heard of this lad and he came in under the radar to beat many a professional rider. This was the track that brought Adam Brayton to our attention, so maybe tomorrow will do the same for Oliver Burton – good on him.

More rain HAMMERED down as the afternoon progressed and we wait the carnage of tomorrow. Let’s hope they can stay safe on track as there really is no room for error in the dry – and in the wet it is a serious test on man and his cahunas.

Words & Photos Alan Milway

Additional photos from Paul @ www.riders-retreat.co.uk