RAPHAEL GAGNÉ SEVENTH IN ELIMINATOR AT MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLDS
Smith off the podium for the first time of the 2013 campaign
(Pietermaritzburg, RSA, – September 1, 2013) Canadian Mountain Biker Raphael Gagné of Quebec, QC finished in seventh place of the cross-country eliminator as the 2013 UCI Mountain Bike Championships ended in South Africa.
The eliminator is a one-lap race held on a short, action-pack course. After a qualifying lap to qualify and rank the riders, two of the four riders in each heat move on to the next round,
Gagné has had success in the discipline this season, taking the fourth place in the opening World Cup of the season. Gagné qualified for the elimination rounds with the 21st fastest lap time.
In his first two opening heats, Gagné moved on by crossing the fastest line in second place, qualifying for the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, Gagné finished fourth and was relegated to the small final, racing for the fifth place.
The reigning Canadian Champion of the eliminator, Léandre Bouchard, ended his day on the trails of South Africa in the quarter-finals, taking the 14th position in the final classification. Canadian riders Geoff Kabush and Max Plaxton also qualified for the finals, and did not advance from their first heat.
In the women’s eliminator race, Canada’s Andreanne Pichette posted the best Canadian result in 17th position. Laura Bietola, an Espoir rider, and Rachel Pageau, a junior rider, also took part in the women’s open eliminator race, taking the 21st and 24th position, acquiring valuable career experience.
SMITH SUFFERS MECHANICAL ISSUES IN DOWNHILL RACE
In the elite downhill races, Canada’s downhill star Steve Smith of Cassidy, BC came short today of repeating his victory from the last World Cup race in Mont-Sainte-Anne.
A day after posting the fastest qualifying time of the large field in yesterday’s timed session, Smith posted today the 63th fastest time, after he encountered some issues in the mid-section of the wild downhill course.
Smith posted the second best time at the first interval, and then disaster struck. The third split show a time deficit of over 30 seconds on the top split. Smith would maintain his speed towards the finish line to finish in a heartbreaking 63rd position.
Smith had previously won two medals at earlier World championships, a silver in 2011 and a bronze in 2012.
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RESULTS – 2013 UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – SOUTH AFRICA
Cross-country – Eliminator, Men
1. VAN DER PLOEG, Paul (AUSTRALIA)
2. FEDERSPIEL, Daniel (AUSTRIA)
3. SOTO, Catriel Andres (ARGENTINA)
4. SILVESTRI, Elia (ITALY)
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7. GAGNE, Raphael (CANADA)
15. BOUCHARD, Léandre (CANADA)
26. KABUSH, Geoff (CANADA)
31. PLAXTON, Max (CANADA)
Cross-country – Eliminator, Women
1. ENGEN, Alexandra (SWEDEN)
2. NEFF, Jolanda (SWITZERLAND)
3. INDERGAND, Linda (SWITZERLAND)
4. RIEDER, Nadine (GERMANY)
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17. PICHETTE, Andréanne (CANADA)
21. BIETOLA, Laura (CANADA)
24. PAGEAU, Rachel (CANADA)
Downhill – Elite, Men
1. MINNAAR, Greg (SOUTH AFRICA) 3:58.058
2. HANNAH, Michael (AUSTRALIA) 3:58.454 +00.396
3. GRAVES, Jared (AUSTRALIA) 4:01.391 +03.333
==========
63. SMITH, Steve (CANADA) 4:35.253 +37.195
Downhill – Elite, Women
1. ATHERTON, Rachel (GREAT BRITAIN) 4:28.043
2. RAGOT, Emmeline (FRANCE) 4:36.675 +08.632
3. HANNAH, Tracey (AUSTRALIA) 4:40.438 +12.395
===========
8. BROWN, Casey (CANADA) 4:46.568 +18.525
10. GATTO, Micayla (CANADA) 4:48.949 +20.906
13. ROSSER, Lauren (CANADA) 5:06.078 +38.035
