WORLD CUP DOWNHILL STARTS THIS WEEKEND AT TRADITIONNAL FORT WILLIAM
Traditional World Cup site will welcome 11 Canadian riders
(Ottawa, ON – June 06, 2013) The 2013 UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup tour starts this weekend in Fort William, Great Britain, and 11 riders from Canada are competing in the traditional venue that offers one of the longest terrains of the World Cup tour with over five minutes of racing.
Steve Smith, Canada’s star in downhill mountain bike and World Championships medallist and ranked fourth on the UCI World Cup Rankings, will be representing his Canadian-based professional team, DeVinci Global Racing. In 2012, Smith won the bronze medal at the World Championships, and won his first World Cup.
The reigning Canadian Champion Matthew Beer, proudly showcasing the Maple Leaf jersey, will be competing in the Elite category along with Remi Gauvin, Kirk McDowall, Kyle Sangers and Forrest Riesco.
Four Canadians will be in the in the women’s Elite race, including Canadian Champion Casey Brown of Dirt Norco Race Team, displaying the distinct Maple Leaf. Micayla Gatto, Vaea Verbeeck and reigning junior World Champion Holly Feniak (Hutchinson UR) will also be tackling the long and arduous course.
Mark Wallace, also of DeVinci Global Racing, is the lone Canadian to race in the Junior category.
New this year on the UCI World Cup circuit is a separate category for the Men Junior (Under 23), which will allow for the development of up-and-coming riders.
The event at Fort William, otherwise known as “Fort Bill”, has been held every year since 2002, with the exception of 2007, when the World Championships were held.
The qualification races are held on Saturday, with the top 80 men and 20 women advancing to Sunday’s showdown.
All of the action will be available to race fans worldwide, live at www.redbull.com/bike. The Final will be shown on Sunday, June 9th, between 13:35 and 15:45 (all times GMT).
CANADIAN RIDERS, UCI WORLD CUP – FORT WILLIAM, GBR
- Matthew BEER [Men Elite] *Canadian Champion
- Remi GAUVIN [Men Elite]
- Kirk MCDOWALL [Men Elite]
- Forrest RIESCO [Men Elite]
- Kyle SANGERS [Men Elite]
- Steve SMITH [Men Elite]
- Mark WALLACE [Men Junior]
- Casey BROWN [Women] * Canadian Champion
- Holly FENIAK [Women]
- Micayla GATTO [Women]
- Vaea VERBEECK [Women]
