Marie-Helene Premont Wins Gold
Mountain Bike World Cup 2008 Women’s Cross-country Results
Marie-Helene Premont takes women's cross-country title at Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup on Saturday 7 June 2008 in Scotland.
Forest heat of around 21 degrees Celsius and a bright sky on added to a sparkling tight finish to the women’s cross country racing on the second day of the Mountain Bike World Cup 08.
The Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup 08 event presented by Shimano welcomed 500 riders from 35 countries to Fort William in Scotland to the black bespoke trails for mountain bike riding competition of the Nevis Range Aonach Mor descent and the Witch’s Trail of Leanachan Forest.
Cross-country Racing The Witch’s Trail Leanachan Forest
The Witch’s Trail in Leanachan Forest was the playground for the men’s and women’s cross country racing. In the men’s cross-country competition, riders from Switzerland dominated the international field taking the prime positions:
- Florian Vogel 2:06.27
- Nino Schurter 2:06:28
- Christoph Sauser 2:06:36
Constructed for the 2003 Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William, Leanachan Forest’s cross country course The Witch’s Trail is designed for racing and outdoor spectacle. Course highlights include singletrack climbing before fast jumping and berms, The Berminator, forest roads and the Big Up steep climb to the Lazy K singletrack. The highest point of the course in Leanachan Forest is Blue Crane and the 15 kilometres demands includes Cackle, Nessie, Ridge Run, Cauld-Run, Rock n Roll and Hole in the Wall.
Women’s Cross-country Mountain Bike World Cup 2008
On Saturdays 7 June 2008, 49 women riders took to their mountain bikes to compete over the 25 miles cross-country course. With the Olympics Games in August, the Mountain Bike World Cup moved earlier to June giving spectators and riders chance to gauge performance. May weather at the Nevis Range and Leachachan Forest in Scotland was dry adding to the dustiness of the five-lap cross-country course for the women riders on Saturday.
Canadian Olympic silver medallist and World Cup leader Marie-Helene Premont in an outstanding first lap’s ride of 23 minutes set out her stall for the World Cup title.
The course with its 289 metres of ascent, the sweep to the finish line did not disappoint with Marie-Helene Premont working hard to keep the gold out of the hands of Margarita Fullana of Spain who won at the Andorra World Cup last week. Sabine Spitz, 2004 Olympic bronze medallist of Germany took third position in the Fort William World Cup.
Stamina and fast and furious riding skills of world class sportswomen on a dry course delighted over 20,000 spectators. Women’s cross-country results were:
- Marie-Helene Premont (Can) 2.00:42
- Margarita Fullana (Spn) 2:00:56
- Sabine Spitz (Ger) 2:03:53
Training at The Witch’s Trail Leanachan Forest Scotland
Cross-country mountain biking is considered one the world's inclusive sports. Mountain bike training on the Fort William World Cup courses at Leanachan Forest and the Nevis Range is open to all visitors to Scotland wishing to access these well-known black graded trails.
The Witch's Trail in Leanachan Forest cross country course is a popular first choice. Weather permitting the Witch's Trail Leanachan Forest cross country course and the Nevis Range Downhill track is open daily for the 2008 Summer Season until mid September, 10.15am to 4pm weekdays and weekends. Adult day tickets for the riding cost £21. Visitors travelling light can hire from Off Beat Bikes body armour and essential to wear full-face helmets plus mountain bikes fit for the courses.
With two months to go before the Beijing Olympics, mountain bike riders and non-riders will be following their favorite women’s and men’s MTB champions competing for the Games’ gold medals.
