Pair of top 10s highlight UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup #1

Fort William, United Kingdom (June 10, 2013) — The first competition of the six-event UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup concluded Sunday in Fort William, United Kingdom.

Jill Kintner (Seattle, Wash./Team Norco International) placed eighth in the elite women's competition, finishing 21.154 slower than the winner, Rachel Atherton (GBR), who completed the course in 5:08.846.

Aaron Gwin finished 20th in the elite men's contest. (Photo by Rob Jones)

Six American men contested the elite men's contest. Aaron Gwin (Wildomar, Calif./Factory Specialized), who topped the last two UCI World Cup overall rankings each of the last two years, registered the best result among the Americans, placing 20th, 8.901 seconds slower than the winner, Gee Atherton (GBR). Atherton, who is Rachel Atherton's brother, finished his run in 4:36.712. Neko Mulally (Reading, Pa./Trek World Racing) placed 25th, 10.808 seconds behind Atherton while Richard Rude Jr. (Redding, Conn./Yeti-Fox Factory Racing) placed 28th, 11.123 behind the top spot. Austin Warren (Alpine, Calif./Pivot Cycles Factory DH Team) placed 30th while Luke Strobel (Issaquah, Wash./Evil Vengeance Tour) was 74th. Logan Binggeli (Saint George, Utah/KHS Bicycles) did not finish his ride down the course.

Luca Shaw (Hendersonville, N.C./Specialized Gravity USA) registered the best finish among the Americansin the juniors men competition, placing seventh. Shaw descended the course in 4:56.590, 6.659 seconds slower than the winner of that group, Noel Niederberger (SUI), who completed the course in 4:49.931. Jay Fesperman (Davidson, N.C./Yeti Cycles), who placed 16th, was 15.803 behind Niederberger, while Luca's brother, Walker Shaw (Hendersonville, N.C./Specialized Gravity USA), finished 19th, 17.968 seconds slower than Niederberger. Kevin Littlefield (Auburn, Wash.) placed 38th, 1:48.545 slower than Niederberger.

The UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup continues next weekend when the competition shifts to Val di Sole, Italy, on June 14-16.

2013 UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup
Fort William, United Kingdom
June 8-9, 2013

FULL RESULTS | PHOTO GALLERY

Elite Men
1. Gee Atherton (GBR) 4:36.712
2. Brook MacDonald (NZL) +1.142
3. Steve Smith (CAN) 1.361
20. Aaron Gwin (Wildomar, Calif./Factory Specialized) +8.901
25. Neko Mulally (Reading, Pa./Trek World Racing) +10.808
28. Richard Rude Jr. (Redding, Conn./Yeti-Fox Factory Racing) +11.123
30. Austin Warren (Alpine, Calif./Pivot Cycles Factory DH Team) +12.324
74. Luke Strobel (Issaquah, Wash./Evil Vengeance Tour) +46.786
DNF Logan Binggeli (Saint George, Utah/KHS Bicycles)

Elite Women
1. Rachel Atherton (GBR) 5:08.846
2. Manon Carpenter (GBR) +10.139
3. Emmeline Ragot (FRA) +11.373
8. Jill Kintner (Seattle, Wash./Team Norco International) +21.154

Juniors Men
1. Noel Niederberger (SUI) 4:49.931
2. Michael Jones (GBR) +3.464
3. Dean Lucas AUS) +3.659
7. Luca Shaw (Hendersonville, N.C./Specialized Gravity USA) +6.659
16. Jay Fesperman (Davidson, N.C./Yeti Cycles) +15.803
19. Walker Shaw (Hendersonville, N.C./Specialized Gravity USA) +17.968
38. Kevin Littlefield (Auburn, Wash.) +1:48.545