So it begins the 2007 Uci Downhill World Cup season

Now the plan was to truck on down to vigo spain the journey was to be in three legs 4 hours down to Plymouth, an 18 hour ferry journey to snatander spain and then last part an 6 hour drive down to vigo. To say that it was a bit of mission was an under statement. To any one thinking about it I’d recommend flying the driving part was fine if not a little dull but the ferry journey was nothing short of horrendous no amount of seasickness pills could tame the beast that was my stomach.

Qualifying

Downhill qualifying went according to plan as Steve peat took top spot with Vasquezez 2nd, Minnar 3rd, Mick Hannah 4th and Dan Atherthon 5th.



Timing was close, only 2 seconds separated 30 riders 2.47 was the time you needed to qualify into the top 80 a lot of good Brits didn’t making in with people like Chris Ball and GT/Burgtec team rider DC missed out by half a second.

Highest Burgtec flat pedal rider was Rennie who qualified in 12th. Rennie found the course hard going ‘After 3 years you think this course would get easier, but it doesn’t.’ Said Rennie.

Brendan still suffering from a damaged ligament in his hand atill qualified in 67th credible result from a resilient rider.

Race day started with heavy showers and immediately put riders on the back foot and it would be the weather that would play a decisive roll in who won the World Cup. For the start of racing the course had all but dried up and looked like it was going to remain dry. But the rain in Spain that falls mainly on the plain decided to pour mainly on the top 50 riders causing the track to run about 7 seconds slower.



Marc Beaumont who crashed in qualifying and only scraped through was able to come down before the rain and hail began. His time still a respectable 2m 37.21secs saw him capitalize on riding in the dry conditions Marc managed to stay in the hot seat for the rest of the afternoon only to have an agonising wait as the worlds best tried the hardest to overcome the abysmal whether. A good result for Marc Beaumont and a worthy winner.

Dave Wardell came 20th although would of liked to see himself in the top ten given the conditions. But all in all a good result for Burgtec’s highest placed rider.

Nathan Rennie had a poor result, finishing in 26th place with a time of 2:46.77, 9.56 seconds back of the winner. Rennie said, "I slid out in the corner before the wooden bridge, then went to pedal, sliding my rear wheel off the bridge. With no speed to make the next jump I had to ride through the creek. Not a good day."

Brendan improved on his 67th place in qualifying by 30 positions and ended up in 37th. He’s earned himself some time off with that result and we can’t wait for him to tear the head off it when he comes back at Champery.



Oscar Saiz started race was hampered by the rain and hail. Poor visability ment a frustraiting descent. He placed 60th but told 'I'm looking forward to to Champry and achieving a better result'.

All in all another fantastic start to the World Cup season, crazy whether, great spectators and even greater result.

Final Results
01 : Marc Beaumont
02 : David Vazquez
03 : Greg Minnaar
04 : Steve Peat
05 : Sam Hill

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