UCI World Championships Mont Saint Anne - Race Day

Sep 6, 2010
by Fraser Britton  
Race day dawned wet and cold in Mont Ste Anne. The best downhillers in the world took to a slick track for final practice runs with a set of the coveted rainbow stripes on the line. Surprises came hot and heavy, and 2 Canadians wound up with unexpected, but well earned medals.

Sam Hill came back from a season plagued with injuries to take back his place as the best in the business. He will be riding with the #1 on his back again next season. For the women, Englishwoman Tracy Moseley finally scored herself a world championship after 10 years of racing.The real surprises this weekend were the Canadians stepping up to the plate and taking their rightful spots on the podium. Maybe now the CCA will actually help fund these riders. Maybe they will even decide to give them back the $60 they got charged for a jersey and the $550 they spent for the "right" to race at Worlds, a spot they rightfully earned all season long, out of their own pockets?

photo
Steve Smith. Proud Canadian. Vancouver Island resident. Worlds Elite Downhill Silver Medalist. Way to go Stevie, you made us all proud.

photo
Lauren Rosser. Another proud BC mountain biker. This week she brought home a gold medal for Canada in the Junior Women's DH. Way to go Lauren.

Now that that is out of the way, check out the rest of the day.

photo
These are the conditions riders woke to on Sunday morning. A big change from the loose, blown out dust they had all practiced in for 3 days.

photo
Every little detail matters. Ricky Bobby gave Peaty's bike an extra little touch, just in case he forgot what was on the line...

photo
More detail. Jacy Shumilak cutting tires as the fog rolls around behind him.

photo
Gee Atherton took the overall last week in Windham, and gets some last minute lines dialed Sunday morning.

photo
Peaty. One last fast one before showtime.

photo
Sam Hill shares a laugh with his father Merv before getting changed and heading to the office for work.

photo
The team that tapes shoes together, wins championships together. Peaty and Greg joke around as they get ready for practice.

photo
Junior racers at Worlds are great. They are usually mega stoked just to have made the super bowl of downhilling. Rivers clowns around as we take a trip up into the fog.

photo
Clowning around time is over as T-Roy takes to the air over the last jump on the DH track on his way to becoming 2010 World Champion.

photo
No Comment needed. Congratulations Troy.

photo
Tracy Moseley finally got herself some rainbows as well. Eye of the tiger.

photo
Sender Steve doesn't give up even broken and with a bobble.

photo
The Master has returned.

photo
Time to celebrate and get goofy on the podium, you earned it.

photo
Mother Nature approves!

photo
You're damn right you can wear that medal to dinner. This is what a World's medal looks like. now go get on a bike and earn one yourself.


Posted In:
Stories Reader Stories


Author Info:
fraserbritton avatar

Member since Nov 27, 2007
80 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
49969 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
47890 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
46332 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
41614 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 2
39588 views
Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
39211 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
38719 views
Even More Randoms - Sea Otter 2024
36628 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

75 Comments
  • 13 1
 WAY TO BE STEVIE!!!! YOU MADE CANADA PROUD!
  • 9 1
 Guys, something is wrong. there's a picture of Sam Hill, and he's showing human emotions O.O

Also, why do they tape their shoes? Congrats Stevie!!
  • 1 0
 Keeps the muck and wet out.
  • 1 0
 ok
  • 5 1
 Just curious why people are saying Stevie should have won? No reason at all that he should have won, he had a great run and so did Sam. Steve had a little bobble at the end but that's racing, and it definitely wasn't enough to cost him the win, Sam won by more than a second. Sam should have won because he made the least mistakes and had the fastest time.
  • 5 0
 At the end of the day, it doesn't matter who could or should have won, Sam Hill won and that's that till next year.
  • 4 0
 I hope some of you remember all the "Troy ain't all that" comments made by Pinkbikers when he was recruited into the Specialized Team by Hill.

Troy proved those people wrong, like the rest of us knew he would.
  • 1 0
 Yes the silence is deafening. I knew he would get some good results but what he has achieved this year has gone far beyond my expectations. Scary to think his body is still very immature compared to some of the other juniors. All the top juniors though (Brannigan, Buchanan) are all bloody quick so the future of DH is in good hands.
  • 1 0
 Yeah, he is still a scrawny little boy that looks like he couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag. Well, strength is much easier to come by than talent so in a few years time when his balls have dropped he will be unstoppable. Wink

I do miss the huge depth we used to have - when at any WC event half the top twenty were Aussies (remember the American Nationals where Aussies came 1, 2, 3, 4, 5?). Yesterday, the second-fastest Aussie was Kovarik in 26th or 27th.

I think it is the price of racing - it used to be dirt cheap and heaps of juniors used to race, but now only those that think they can recoup their costs in winnings race. It shouldn't cost hundreds of dollars for an entry fee. Goddammit, we used to hold DH races with two stopwatches and two clipboards. The English went back to grass-roots racing and that's why they dominate at the moment. English and Kiwis are beating most Aussies and they deserve to.
  • 2 0
 too bad they uses a picture of stevies chest and cut his head off. what the f*ck is with that? seriously thats canadas raddest dowbhiller and we used that picture?

plus, the cca better pull its head out of its ass and give its atheletes some respect and rightful support
look at the jerseys our fastes riders had to wear
made us look like f*ckin clowns!
  • 1 0
 Garneau, in an attempt to spend their advertising dollars wisely, took out an ad in Decline with the delusion they could flog these pathetic jerseys to actual people with eyes. Poor Steve looked like the only one on the podium who had just finished a Triathlon. The road napkin aside, Steve, you are a radsman.
  • 2 1
 i think Stevie deserved the win, he would've won if he hadn't almost come off, but good run by both and a bit of a suprise that Sam won considering he's only just come back from injury and sub-standard performance last week in Windham.
  • 6 1
 while i would have like steve to win also, all those riders "deserved" to win. steve had a slight mistake and sam had an amazing run that is racing
  • 8 2
 Just curious why people are saying Stevie should have won? No reason at all that he should have won, he had a great run and so did Sam. Steve had a little bobble at the end but that's racing, and it definitely wasn't enough to cost him the win, Sam won by more than a second. Sam should have won because he made the least mistakes and had the fastest time.
  • 3 0
 yes i agree, Sam won, he had the best run and thus he won. but i think if he hadn't had the little bobble he could've (Note: correction from earlier post of "would've") won because that cost time and confindence, but i also agree with you, that it's racing and these things happen.
  • 1 0
 Yeah exactly - even at that same point Sam was over ahead ahead, so crashing just put him down by another second or two. There's no way Stevie would have won without the fumble.
  • 2 1
 Stevies lost way more than a second from that bobble....
  • 1 1
 Watching Stevie recover from the bobble was so badass.
  • 1 0
 I am just as much a Canadian advocate for Stevie throwing down an amazing run, and props to him. It's true he 'could have' won if he hadn't had the bobble, but the fact is, you forget that Sam paid a similar mistake at the 2008 World Champs when he went down in one of the final corners with a time that was over 7 seconds up on the lead.
  • 1 0
 esthete hit the nail on the head, that crash of hill's was far worse physically/mentally/emotionally than a little bobble (and still coming up 2nd).
  • 1 1
 Excuse me, but are we all forgetting that Steve Smith was the last rider down to have a dry run. Minnaar, Peaty and Gee came down when it was pissing down. So let's forget about the 'little bobble' and be a bit more realistic. Smith obviously had a sick run, but I would have like to see the results had the heavens not opened up and everyone had a dry run.
  • 3 0
 Shoulda Coulda Woulda... thats racing boys Sometimes a small mistake costs you huge, sometimes it doesnt, all depends on how and where it happens on the run. Could Steve have won it, maybe, maybe not. Either way he put on a killer run and a beautiful save, and I am damn proud.
  • 2 0
 How about this, "Go Lauren Rosser, YOU made Canada proud, first Canadian DH Gold ever". Also props to Smith.

Good day in DH for Canada.
  • 4 0
 Yeah Stevie!!! Way to let 'em know how we do things on VI!
  • 4 0
 Double rainbow all the way acrosssss the skyyyyyyy
  • 1 0
 LOOOOL
  • 2 2
 don't bring that youtube shit onto Pinkbike that guys 15 minutes are over!
  • 1 0
 Steve had a great run but Sam did better... what a race and you Canadian build the best starting gate so far.... track was awesome to watch. All and all another great season of Downhill MTB.
  • 2 0
 YEAHHHHHHH STEVIE ! doing great things for Canadians in DH ! . sick runs for Sam n Troy
  • 4 2
 Event like this make me remember how downhilling is such a great sport. So proud of being canadian right now.
  • 1 0
 So very awesome. A medal like that would really demonstrate mastery of the art that is DH mountain biking! Great pictures, too.
  • 4 2
 awesome, well done sam, troy and tracy!
  • 24 1
 and stevie.....
  • 8 4
 Yeah dont forget Stevie. He should have won. Canadians be proud!
  • 2 0
 steve too! really shouldn't have forgot him, so much respect for the guy!
  • 5 0
 The double rainbow above monster spesh pit was awesome!
  • 4 5
 juba...why should stevie have won...that right he shouldnt have. the guy with the fastest time wins...way to go sam!
  • 4 0
 He SHOULD have won, 'cept for a mega-bobble that he miraculously rode out. Still took 2nd in spite of that - definitely one of the times you remember who came in 2nd.

Stevie didn't hold back and it nearly paid off is what you meant to say.Smile
  • 2 0
 was a sweet wobble but not a 2.5 second wobble, did you see the speed everyone else was hitting that section? he probably came through faster just because he couldnt brake
  • 1 1
 Excuse me, but are we all forgetting that Steve Smith was pretty much the last rider down to have a dry run. Minnaar, Peaty and Gee came down when it was pissing down. So let's forget about the 'little bobble' and be a bit more realistic. Smith obviously had a sick run, but I would have like to see the results had the heavens not opened up and everyone had a dry run.
  • 1 0
 I DONT CARE!ITS RACING!STEVE SMITH FOR SECOND PLACE!
  • 3 1
 Hey MorialtaMatt, If it bothers you that much go race go carts indoors. Such is life with an outdoor sport. Steve did awesome, as did Sam and just about every rider on that hill. So sit down, shut up, and let us have our moment. Thank you.
  • 1 0
 eric is on target!
  • 1 0
 hey good point EricBirk, hence my comment about the little bobble. People crash, Deraileurs break and sometimes it fuckin rains when the top 10 come down, so fuck the little bobble, it's simply the joys of racing DH.
  • 1 1
 haha canadians flipping shit because theyre hopeless at downhill
  • 1 0
 OK, bare with me here...

Oh yeah! TB's success is gonna spread like TB in a coal mine!!!

Maybe not? Frown
  • 1 0
 finaly some canadians on the podium again, congrats stevie and lauren on two great runs
  • 1 0
 But my bike is broken and I'm too poor to fix it, boo on you pinkbike! You made me depressed.
  • 1 0
 Not sure about the shorts but I'm sure Stevie or Lauren will sell you their jerseys so they can get their 60 bucks back.
  • 1 0
 awsome shots,still cant believe that sam won...the caption on his photo is just fitting
  • 1 0
 Glad to see Danny Hart in the top ten, like I predicted. Danny will be standing on the podium in a WC round next year.
  • 1 0
 the comment on the last picture was kind of a kick in the nuts, I havent rode my bike for months
  • 1 0
 Congrats to all World Champs!!! WOW DOUBLE RAINBOW!!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Go Monster TEAM , great sweep of podium
  • 1 0
 Anybody noticed a rider with green anodized stanchions on his zoke?
  • 1 0
 Chris Kovarik
  • 1 0
 way to go canada, and good to see sam back.
"double rainbow all they way"
  • 1 1
 What shorts are they "steves ones"? i want them...
anyone know where to buy them?
  • 1 0
 congrats to Stevie!
  • 2 2
 how bout more pics of our fuckin pm smith n less of these other clowns
  • 1 0
 great write up
  • 18 0
 yeah, and i'm ashamed our own country charged their athlete to perform at world champ..
  • 8 0
 Yeah, that is just brutal.
Juuuuuuuust brutal

And haven't seen Sam ride in shorts since his Madcatz/Ironhorse days . . . What gives?
  • 1 0
 wore them at last years world champs too...
  • 5 2
 ...and I expect virtually none of the Hill fanboys to be wearing TLD pants anymore. Wink
  • 1 0
 It was pretty intense watching those last few riders come down on freecaster. Sam is truly some kind of monster. Props to all the riders, especially all the new champs!!
  • 1 0
 weather kinda gave sam an advantage but hes lost races because of rain before so fair play to him. if you have a code watch the replay and look at the rock sections on sams run then peaty/gee/minnaars
  • 1 0
 OMFG!! DOUBLE RAINBOW!!! mother nature certainly DOES approve.
  • 1 0
 Great weekend.
  • 1 2
 how the hell did sam hill miss 3/4 of the season, come back for two races, and suddenly become the world champion?
  • 2 2
 You're thinking of the World Cup. The World Champs are a one day, one run event.
  • 1 0
 It's still pretty amazing, Sam's first day back on the bike this season was right before the Windham race. No riding at all for 3/4 of the season, then less than two weeks on the bike later he beats everyone. Huge props for that one...
  • 1 0
 Oh, I'm impressed with it, I was pointing out the differences between World Cup and World Champs. I think being able to deal with stress can separate the men from the boys in an event like this.
  • 1 0
 Isnt there a saying that goes "... its like riding a bike."
seems to fit rather well in this instance.
  • 1 0
 yea lauren!!







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.050726
Mobile Version of Website