Americans secure three medals at Masters Mountain Bike Worlds

Chris Van Dine (shown here contesting the 2010 Pan Am Continental MTB Championships in Guatemala) was among the American competitors at the Mountain Bike Masters World Championships in Brazil. (Photo by Rob Jones, CanadianCyclist.com)

The 2012 UCI Mountain Bike Masters World Championships were contested in Balneario Camboriu, Brazil from Sept. 14-16. With six riders competing, the Americans rode away with three medals. The U.S. contingent earned a gold medal and a pair of silver medals.

The Americans dominated the men’s 40-44 downhill with three riders finishing in the top 10. Matt Thompson (Denver, Colo.) bested the 29-rider field with a time of 2:24.22 to earn the gold medal. Another American rider earned the silver medal as Lars Tribus (Milford, N.J.) finished the course 2.75 seconds behind Thompson. Eric Loney (Longview, Wash.) finished eighth in that group with a time of 2:36.90.

Christine Irelan (Colorado Springs, Colo.) landed on the podium of the women’s 40-44 cross-country race after she completed the course in 1:06:02. Samira Todone (ITA) earned the gold medal after finishing in 1:04:40 and Florencia Padilla (ARG) rode away with the bronze, finishing in 1:19:53.

The remaining two American riders contested the men’s 30-34 downhill. Marcio Carvalho (Los Angeles, Calif.) finished 41st and Christopher Van Dine (Jim Thorpe, Pa.) was 43rd with times of 2:42.68 and 2:44.09, respectively. Robert Sgarbi (BRA) earned the gold medal when he finished with a time of 2:17.33.

For more information on this event, please check www.ciclismosc.com.br.

This Article Updated September 25, 2012 @ 10:56 AM For more information contact: