Chris Kovarik takes 3rd in the Air DH!
THE, RaceFace, SDG and e.thirteen equipped Intense/CRC team rider Chris Kovarik takes third place at the Air DH event at Crankworx.
The Jim Beam Air Downhill took place on Wednesday here in Whistler at the Kokanee Crankworx Festival. One of the most famous and most celebrated tracks in mountain biking, A-Line consists of nearly 100 jumps throughout its length=great fun to ride but very difficult to race. Thousands of spectators watched the action on the big screen in the finish arena of the village and the racers definately put on a show.
Many World Cup pros were competing in this event such as Andrew Neethling, Cedric Gracia, Nico Vink and Matti Lehikoinen. Chris Kovarik showed his power and skill as he hammered the track to the hot seat, knocking U.K. rider Marc Beaumont off by one second. But there were 2 more powerhouse riders to come, 3 time Air DH winner Brian Lopes and former World Champ Greg Minnaar. Lopes, riding his little bike, came slingshotting down the final stretch knocking 5 seconds off Chris's time (rumour has it the 4X star was prejumping and skimming the tops of most of the jumps-crazy!) and Minnaar was just one second off of Lopes' time.
Overall, it was an impressive performance from Chris who usually shines on the wide open gnarly courses. The Air DH track is VERY physical, a sprint from start to finish and with this caliber of riders, there was no margin for mistakes. Well done Chris!
Here are the results for top 15 Pro Men:
1 6 Lopes Brian Laguana Beach CA USA OAKLEY,MARZOCCHI ,KENDA, IBIS 04:22.10
2 3 Minnaar Greg Murrieta CA USA SANTA CRUZ,ROCKSHOX 04:23.42
3 12 Kovarik Chris Whistler BC CAN CHAIN REACTION, INTENSE 04:27.60
4 14 Beaumont Marc Craven Arms Eng UK TEAM BIKE 04:28.77
5 36 Keene Curtis Ventura CA USA SPECIALIZED 04:30.00
6 16 Neethling Andrew Somerset West RSA MONGOOSE BIKES 04:30.13
7 10 Gracia Cedric La Massana AND COMMENCAL, OAKLEY 04:30.50
8 131 Mitchell Andrew Victoria BC CAN COVE, 04:30.60
9 41 Turpen Evan Aptos CA USA KONA BIKES 04:31.80
10 22 Rando Jared Ainslie AUS GIANT BICYCLES 04:32.97
11 24 Voreis Kirt Bend OR USA ALLRIDE - 04:33.81
12 13 Lehikoinen Matti Espoo FIN MS- INTENS 04:34.24
13 33 Smith Steve Cassidy BC CAN COVE 04:34.30
14 42 Vanderham Thomas North Vancouver BC CAN MARZOCCHI,SHIMANO,TROY LEE 04:34.50
15 27 Donoghue Neil Shrewsbury UK BIKE RADAR 04:35.74
Report by Claire Buchar and picture provided by Yorick Carroux.
Published Monday 18 August 2008
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