Orange Bikes
UCI World Cup - Fort WIlliam - 8-9 June 2008
Wednesday, 11 June 2008 - posted by Alastair Maclennan
Mojo pull a fast one at Fort BIll
Has Fort William ever had a World Cup which was this dry? I don’t think so. With a track as hard as concrete after being baked in the gorgeous highland sun for the last few weeks with minimal rain, riders were taking a beating. Suspension and tyres were to prove crucial in trying to ease the pain that riders were suffering and to make up those crucial tenths on the leader board. The Mojo team were already talk of the paddock after their riders donned shiny, black, pvc-esque skin suits for timed training in which Ben Cathro went second fastest. Granted, a lot of riders tend to opt out of this but it still hinted at big things to come. And big things they were! In qualifying, it was rider number 98, Chris Hutchens who pulled out the stops to take 22nd. Next up was Dan Stanbridge in 13th with a 4.55. However, the big surprise to many was when World Championship team member Ben Cathro pulled himself up into an astounding 8th place.
With the three potential high placings from the Mojo/Orange riders along with the rest of the British contingent, the native fans were on tenterhooks. What could be done by the local lads Ben and Chris? Quite a lot as it turned out.
Having qualified in 22nd, Chris was the first off of the three. As I saw him through the trees in the run up to the first and biggest wall ride, it was clear that he was onto a good result. Visibly quicker than the riders who had finished near him in qualifying through that particular section, it was an awesome sight to watch. He slotted in with a 4.57. Next up was Stanny but unfortunately, a crash on the rocks just above the wooded section left him well down on his potential. A 5.03 only hinted at what might have been. By the time Ben was on track, things were electric. With a split time of 2.58 it was clear that something special was about to happen. Hitting the final jump into the Off-Beat wall, the time was good, very good. As he crossed the line, the screen froze at 4.52.40, good enough for 8th. The local rider had done it.
So an incredible weekend for the Mojo team who were getting themselves noticed very successfully throughout the weekend.
| Position | No. | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th: | 48 | Ben Cathro | Mojo/Orange | 4:52:40 |
| 17th: | 98 | Chris Hutchens | Mojo/Orange | 4:57:18 |
| 34th: | 45 | Dan Stanbridge | Mojo/Orange | 5:03:55 |
See what Ben and Chris made of their results, their best to date in a World Cup.
Ben Cathro
So Ben, your first top 10 at a world cup, how do you feel?
Very surprised. It feels very surreal. I’m pretty shocked really!
So 6th place in qualifying and 8th in the race?
Yeah, I’m really happy with how I rode and happy with my time. I feel slightly hollow because I know the skin suit has taken 5 seconds off my time you know, it doesn’t feel right but I’m just going to take it as it is.
But it’s all about piecing it together on the day isn’t it and getting a good run in?
Yeah, everything went well in my run but it just feels almost guilty. Almost like I’ve cheated but I put in a good time and I know I would have been top 20 if I hadn’t been wearing the skin suit so I’m happy with the run I put in. It just doesn’t feel totally honest but it’s cool, I’ve enjoyed my race here, it was fun.
So off to the World Champs in two weeks, how does it feel to get on the team?
Now that is something I’m really happy about as it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I went there a few years ago for the Juniors but I didn’t get to race because I broke my hand. I thought I would never ever get the chance again but now I’ve been selected and I’m actually going to it, it’s amazing, it’s so cool.
So when did you find that out?
It was just after I got back from Andorra, I got a call and there was a woman on the phone. She said she was Helen Mortimer and it was that moment that it clicked. There were a few heart flutters and it clicked that it was to do with the worlds. And when she said it I was just speechless, it was just amazing.
Chris Hutchens
So Chris, 17th and your best result at a World Cup to date, how do you feel? Yeah, that was awesome, a top 20 and a pretty good feeling. I got down with a fairly clean run and there are good crowds here so it’s been awesome.
How were you riding this weekend?
I was feeling pretty confident, really strong when there was pedalling and feeling really fit so knew I could get a good result, I was hoping for a top thirty so nearly half that is brilliant. A few riders normally in the top ten were behind me which is good.
How was the track riding this weekend?
It was so rough this weekend! It almost caught me out on my race run. Some big holes almost took me over the bars but then it’s the worst I’ve ever ridden it. It was really physical compared to how it is normally.
So everything was working well and the bike going good?
Yeah, the bike’s set up really nicely just now. We’ve been playing with different settings on the Orange (224) and that’s really helped as it’s riding well. Mojo really push that side of things and the tubeless was working well too with no punctures.