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Sunday, September 9 2007

Tracey Hannah, Bronze medals in women's elite

19 year old Tracey Hannah rode the tough as hell Fort William course to claim herself a Bronze medal in the Elite world championships at her first attempt.

Another medal to add to her Junior gold from 2006, Tracey is without doubt a name to watch out for and we predict it won't be long before she stands on the top spot of the podium.

The women's sent was won by French woman Sabrina Jonnier. Rachel Atherton had a great run and came close to pipping Jonnier, but ended up with the silver. Crowd favourite Tracy Moseley, suffered a mechanical to roll in fourth.

Orange riders in the men's race had mixed fortune. The weather became a big factor at the end, so the great seeding runs of Julien Camellini and Dan Stanbridge weren't such and advantage after all. The only riders who overcame the conditions were Gee Atherton and Fabien Barel, who ran defending champion Sam Hill's time to the wire. Brit Dan Stanbridge crashed with a front end wash-out caused by a sketchy moment that cost him his run. Julien Camellini had a good run for the conditions and placed seventh. There's more to come from both of these guys.

Earlier in the men's junior event local star Chris Hutchens was the best placed Orange rider in ninth. The event was won in fine style by another young local hero Ruaridh Cunningham.

A full rundown of the event can be seen at Descent-World.co.uk

Saturday, September 8 2007

A few Orange images

Running around with a camera, always fun.. Lot's of leg work and you never get who you want where you want them at a race, but here's a few shots...

Friday, September 7 2007

A bit of Scotch Mist never hurt anyone...

As you might expect, as the rest of the UK seems to be basking in the long awaited Summer, Fort William is bathed in typical highland weather that locals may refer to as a little misty, but the rest of us would call rain.

That doesn't seem to be stopping the fun though, and the first UCI World Championship event is hitting the now globally famous mountain biking venue with more riders, supporters and generally enthusiastic folk than ever before at this truly massive event.

We're attempting to keep up with the riders on Orange bikes, hopefully we've caught up with most of them but there are still a few lurking that are eluding us.

Here's the who we've caught up with so far...

Elite

Juniors

We reckon there are a few more around, but it's a busy paddock and competitors are hiding all over the place. Obviously this being a national team based event, riders are not necessarily pitted where you might think.

So how's it going?

Now in the Elite class, reigning 2006 Junior Women's Champion, Australian Tracey Hannah is well placed after the seeding runs, despite doing her best to bodily remove a tree from the hillside. The forrestry commission need not be too concerned, Tracey and the tree left each other a little shaken but not overly stirred, as she cruised down in her understated style the place the 4th fastest seeding run.

Brits will be pleased to know that placed just above her in first and second are Rachel Atherton and Tracy Moseley respectively. The women's race looks like it's going to be a close and monumental dust-up. (or mud-up judging by the local weather forecasts.

In The men's juniors, Chris Hutchens has seeded fifth fastest. A local lad from nearby Oban, he looks smooth and comfortable on the track. He could do well. The other Orange riders in the class are dotted through the field, whether they are playing the tactical weater game or not, time will tell.

In the Elite men, Mojo riders Dan Stanbridge (GBR) and Julian Camellini (FRA) are right in the mix. Dan is starts his final bid ninth from the end after a great seeding run. The elusive Julien Camellini, is right up the sharp end with the third fastest seeding run, he'll be one of that last riders to attempt to stop what many people see as the inevitable result of form man, Sam Hill's victory.

Of course the crowd want to see Ex-Orange team rider and King of the British Mountain Bike Royal family repeat his awesome victory from the 2005 World Cup. However, only just back from a dislocated ankle injury, he'll be lucky to find that form so soon, but with Peaty you never know...