Andrew Neethling (RSA) and Tracy Moseley (GBR) walked away as clear winners from Round 2 in Plattekill, New York, with both riders demonstrating that they were the ones with the speed all weekend, and deservedly standing atop the podium on Sunday afternoon.
The weather was ideal, and even though a small shower came through the venue on Saturday night, it wasn't enough to make the course muddy for race day. The track had a good mix of technical rocky sections mixed with some flatter sections where holding speed over roots and rocks was to be crucial. All four TWR downhill riders were at the event, although injured Neko Mulally (USA) was there to mainly yell encouragement and bring some much appreciated home-made snacks from nearby Philly!
In timed training Justin Leov was fastest with a 2m 46secs run, but in official qualifying he had a slight venture off the course which cost him time; finishing with a 2m 51secs, which was disappointing for the Kiwi who was aiming for a win this weekend to give him the series lead. For Andrew, it was a great weekend bringing about his first international win for some time and a big confidence boost going into this weekend's US Open, and next weekend's all important 2nd round of the UCI World Cup.
Andrew said: "After some training runs with Justin, I felt really good and knew I could do well here, so I aimed high. I was really happy with how well the bike was handling the course. It rained overnight, so I switched to Maxxis High Rollers for both the Qualis and Finals. I just put a solid run together for 2nd place in the Quali, 0.07secs back, but my aim was to win the finals. I knew I could take some time off in the final and fortunately I did just that. I had a good run with minimal mistakes and so I'm really happy to win. I must say it feels good. I'm also stoked for Tracy to win to and to have Justin right there in 3rd."
Tracy said: "It was great to be riding in the sun after the crappy wet weather in Maribor last week at the World Cup! Nice to be riding a super fun track....a bit sketchy in places where it's narrow and fast, and the rain overnight made it fun in the morning, really greasy, but it certainly dried up for the race; overall a really great weekend. I'm happy to have the series lead, and for sure I'’m enjoying racing in the US this year!"
Justin said: "For qualifying I used Maxxis High Rollers and felt good apart from the slight off-course halfway down. I was disappointed with my time. I switched back to Minions for the Finals as the course was dry again and I set a personal goal of riding a 2m 45secs. I was definitely riding aggressively and after nearly coming off in the first rock section, hitting my derailleur on a rock and bending my hanger, I managed to settle myself and finish my run cleanly to achieve my time goal. It was good enough for 3rd today. Andrew had the speed this weekend and was definitely the man to beat. Great to see him on the top step!"
TWR head to Vernon, New Jersey, this weekend for the US Open.
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/trekworldracing.com
Team website: http://www.trekbikes.com/twr
Results:
Women:
1. Tracy Moseley (Trek World Racing) 3m 00.49secs 2. Melissa Buhl (USA) 3m 05.47secs 3. Jill Kintner (USA) 3m 09.14secs
Men:
1. Andrew Neethling (Trek World Racing) 2m 43.48secs 2. Bryn Atkinson (USA) 2m 44.47secs 3. Justin Leov (Trek World Racing) 2m 45.20secs 4. Duncan Rifffle (USA) 2m 47.44secs 5. Kieran Bennett (NZL) 2m 47.99secs
The weather was ideal, and even though a small shower came through the venue on Saturday night, it wasn't enough to make the course muddy for race day. The track had a good mix of technical rocky sections mixed with some flatter sections where holding speed over roots and rocks was to be crucial. All four TWR downhill riders were at the event, although injured Neko Mulally (USA) was there to mainly yell encouragement and bring some much appreciated home-made snacks from nearby Philly!
In timed training Justin Leov was fastest with a 2m 46secs run, but in official qualifying he had a slight venture off the course which cost him time; finishing with a 2m 51secs, which was disappointing for the Kiwi who was aiming for a win this weekend to give him the series lead. For Andrew, it was a great weekend bringing about his first international win for some time and a big confidence boost going into this weekend's US Open, and next weekend's all important 2nd round of the UCI World Cup.
Andrew said: "After some training runs with Justin, I felt really good and knew I could do well here, so I aimed high. I was really happy with how well the bike was handling the course. It rained overnight, so I switched to Maxxis High Rollers for both the Qualis and Finals. I just put a solid run together for 2nd place in the Quali, 0.07secs back, but my aim was to win the finals. I knew I could take some time off in the final and fortunately I did just that. I had a good run with minimal mistakes and so I'm really happy to win. I must say it feels good. I'm also stoked for Tracy to win to and to have Justin right there in 3rd."
Tracy said: "It was great to be riding in the sun after the crappy wet weather in Maribor last week at the World Cup! Nice to be riding a super fun track....a bit sketchy in places where it's narrow and fast, and the rain overnight made it fun in the morning, really greasy, but it certainly dried up for the race; overall a really great weekend. I'm happy to have the series lead, and for sure I'’m enjoying racing in the US this year!"
Justin said: "For qualifying I used Maxxis High Rollers and felt good apart from the slight off-course halfway down. I was disappointed with my time. I switched back to Minions for the Finals as the course was dry again and I set a personal goal of riding a 2m 45secs. I was definitely riding aggressively and after nearly coming off in the first rock section, hitting my derailleur on a rock and bending my hanger, I managed to settle myself and finish my run cleanly to achieve my time goal. It was good enough for 3rd today. Andrew had the speed this weekend and was definitely the man to beat. Great to see him on the top step!"
TWR head to Vernon, New Jersey, this weekend for the US Open.
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/trekworldracing.com
Team website: http://www.trekbikes.com/twr
Results:
Women:
1. Tracy Moseley (Trek World Racing) 3m 00.49secs 2. Melissa Buhl (USA) 3m 05.47secs 3. Jill Kintner (USA) 3m 09.14secs
Men:
1. Andrew Neethling (Trek World Racing) 2m 43.48secs 2. Bryn Atkinson (USA) 2m 44.47secs 3. Justin Leov (Trek World Racing) 2m 45.20secs 4. Duncan Rifffle (USA) 2m 47.44secs 5. Kieran Bennett (NZL) 2m 47.99secs
5/24/2010 3:15pm
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