We the team were fortunute last night to be in the same city as one of the Qashqai events. This was my first Qashqai Event and I have to say I was instantly impressed, not only with the riders and what they can do (crazy stuff), but also with Tarek, Anne and the entire organisation. It surely was an impresseive setup.

It was also great to see Kyle in action and hang out with him. This will be Kyle's only Qashqai event of 2008. Next week his focus changes with the Maribor World Cup in Slovenia. 

Madrid - May 3rd, 2008: (Report courtesy Rasoulution)

 Andreu Lacondeguy wins Madrid!  It was an amazing day at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid.  Nissan’s course design team built the best Qashqai course yet and the riding was absolutely through the roof!

After qualifying fastest yesterday for the brand new SRAM Dual Stunt event here at Sea Otter, Kyle Strait went on to dominate the event and take it all the way for the win.

The course featured various obstacles such as leg sapping stall walls, wall rides, boxes, steps and narrow north shore wooden ramps, and riders went head to head in a dual slalom format on a red then black course.

With racing starting at a round of 16, it meant riders had to recover from sprinting over the various obstacles like the 8 foot high stall walls, then backing it up to go at it again. Much like the speed trials seen at the TEVA Games in Vail, Colorado, it's all about being smooth and strong.

Kyle Strait placed 24th and more impressively was 1st American in the opening Downhill World Cup of 2008 in Maribor, Slovenia. There were no surprises at the front with Sam Hill taking the crown.

Brian Lopes with Kyle in 4X Practice. Unfortunately, Kyle had a crash in practice, thus eliminating him from the main event. (courtesy Gary Perkin)

Kyle in downhill action (courtesy Gary Perkin)

Kyle on the smoother faster section near the finish (courtesy Gary Perkin)

The Specialized Truck in Maribor (courtesy Gary Perkin)

Results for Men's DH:

Kyle in practice 

With Crosscountry over and done with on Saturday it was up to the gravity athletes to entertain us on Sunday. The rain held off and we were presented with a predominantly dry day with the occasional drop of rain.

Practice seemed to go well for Kyle along with his two fellow American’s from the Specialized Decline Team America Cody Warren and Cole Bangert. As you may know qualification to the downhill finals on Sunday afternoon would require a top 80 placing in the semi-final. Kyle got through, but only just placing 77th, while Cody and Cole placed 43rd and 49th respectfully. Kyle was certainly disappointed, but relieved to have qualified.