World Cup number 1 of 9, Houffalize, Belgium
Race Reports, Sunday April 20th April, 2008
Women’s Race @ 10:30: Lene has a good start to her season
This weekend’s racing in Belgium featured the biggest fields ever attending the Houffalize World Cup, which says a lot of positive things for what many would argue to be the most popular venue on the circuit. Lene had a bad start and was to be found lingering in the low twenties, which was probably due to some cobwebs because of a lack of early season racing. As the racing progressed Lene grew stronger to finish a very creditable 11th position.
Lene is smiles pre race start (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Meanwhile at the front, Margarita split the field in the early stages setting a very high pace for the first three of four laps, before Irina Kalentieva closed the lead. It was good to see Gunn Rita Dahle back in the action, having been forced out of racing for much of last season, due to illness. In the early stages of the race, the Chinese who were highly expected to dominate looked like today was not to be that day, but Ren much like last year attacked hard on the final lap to catch Irina and the fading Margarita to take her second consecutive win here in Houffalize. It was a very impressive final lap and victory.
The lady in pink (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Lene's performance went from strenght to strenght (courtesy Gary Perkin)
For women's results click here
Lene’s Bike:
Bike: Specialized Full Suspension (Women’s Specific)
Tires: Specialized Sauserwind (Front)
Specialized Sauserwind (Rear)
Tire Pressures: 29 PSI (Front and Rear)
Fork Pressure: 90 PSI
Rear Shock Pressure: 90 PSI
Weight: 9.8 Kilos
Men’s Race @ 2pm: Despite a bad start Christoph finishes on the podium
It was great to have Liam Killeen back in action after a 2007 which was dogged with illness. Given his attendance at only the Maribor World Cup last year, it regulated Liam to 140th on the start grid, so the odds were firmly stacked against this Englishman. Liam did very well in his first World Cup to climb from this position to 69th in the final order of merit.
Oh you can feel the tension! (Courtesy Gary Perkin)
Great to have Liam Killeen back after a 2007 dogged with illness (courtesy Gary Perkin)
At the front Jose Hermida, in his usual flamboyant fashion attacked from the gun, but he was not allowed the leash that he normally attains, especially here he Houffalize, which he won last year. Christoph had problems at the start – a foot slipped out of the pedals and he lost his chain. He got going again, but had to fight from 30th. Slowly, but surely the Swiss man started to pull his way through the field and on lap five moved to third overall and came very close to catching his fellow countryman Schurter. Mr consistent Julien Abaslon once again showed that he is the man to beat. Julien looked strong from start to finish, taking his first world cup win of 2008 and to head up the rankings leading into Offenburg next weekend.
Liam on one of the tough climbs (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Susi fighting back after a tough start (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Houffaize has also been a big hit with the crowds (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Happy with third? (courtesy Gary Perkin)
For men's results click here
Christoph’s Bike:
Bike: Specialized Epic Carbon Full Suspension
Tires: Specialized Fast Trac LK (Front)
Specialized Fast Trac LK (Rear)
Tire Pressures: 29 PSI (Front and Rear)
Fork Pressure: 95 PSI
Rear Shock Pressure: 90 PSI
Weight: 9.4 Kilos
Liam’s Bike:
Bike: Specialized Epic Carbon Full Suspension
Tires: Specialized Fast Trac LK (Front)
Specialized Fast Trac LK (Rear)
Tire Pressures: 29 PSI (Front and Rear)
Fork Pressure: 95 PSI
Rear Shock Pressure: 90 PSI
Weight: 9.4 Kilos
Christoph after prize giving at the truck (courtesy Gary Perkin)