COMMEZZADURA (VAL DI SOLE – TRENTINO), 11 SEPTEMBER 2016 – “I couldn’t believe it until I saw my time on the screen. It was an incredible race and I am really excited. I am also so happy for my team mate Laurie Greenland, I knew he could do well but I did not expect to find him on the hot seat when I crossed the finish line” said thrilled Danny Hart at the end of the awards ceremony. On his face the smile for this new gold won 5 years after 2011 World Championship in Champery (Switzerland).
Same expression on Laurie Greenland’s face, protagonist of a race that enabled him to step on the world podium for the third time in his young career after 2014 silver and 2015 gold in the Juniors. “I was sure I could do well on this course but I never though I could get this result. My aim was to finish in the first 10, I can’t believe it, I’m so happy. It is a great result for me”.
Happiness also for French Florent Payet, third on Elite Men’s podium in Val di Sole DHI World Champs. “I felt in great shape and the third place clinched in the timed runs on Saturday confirmed it. I pushed to the limit trying not to make mistakes on a course I like. Congrats to Pippo (Marani)”.
British Rachel Atherton sets in Trentino a new incredible record of victories. She won gold here in 2008, clinches the fifth victory on the Black Snake, five world champ titles (one junior) and brings her stunning winning streak to 15. It’s World Guinness Records stuff. “Every race is a different story, including this World championship. It is never given for granted. It’s true, I came from a winning streak of 14 races but it wasn’t easy at all. I am really happy, even if it’s my fifth world victory, fourth in Elite, it’s always very exciting”. She says hi to her brother Gee, with whom she shared the gold in 2008 in Val di Sole.
“I come from a difficult season, I couldn’t race for a long time due to an injury. I wanted to be in perfect shape before riding again, the last World Cup races were useful to get the pace back for the year’s most important fixture. I am very happy for the result”, said French Myriam Nicole after she was awarded 2016 World Championship silver medal.
Tracey Hannah, third, does not seem very happy for the bronze. “I thought I could have done better, I always aim at victory even if it is really hard to beat such a strong Atherton. I felt really well after the timed run, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to follow the lines and keep the pace I wanted”.
The spectacular 2016 UCI Mtb World Championship in Val di Sole ends with the exciting downhill Elite men’s and women’s events. And once again victories went to the great champions only. Expectations were met with gold medals around the necks of British Danny Hart and Rachel Atherton. On the men’s podium stood Laurie Greenland and Florent Payet second and third respectively; Myriam Nicole and Tracey Hannah in the women’s.
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