Great Britain’s downhill riders dominated at the 2014 UCI Mountain bike World Championships, taking both elite titles as part of their medal haul in Hafjell, Norway.
Britain’s women took a clean sweep at the elite women's downhill final.
Manon Carpenter took the rainbow jersey ahead of defending world champion and race favourite Rachel Atherton. Tahnee Seagrave topped off the all British podium with a bronze medal.
In the elite men’s competition, Gee Atherton took gold with Josh Bryceland claiming silver.
As Carpenter left the start gate Seegrave was in the lead having posted a time of 3:52.870 after a storming ride, Carpenter finished 3.463 seconds up her compatriotwith a time of 3:49.407.
At this point, defending world champion and favourite Rachel Atherton was the only rider left to go. Atherton finished just shy of nine hundredths of second down on Carpenter and settled for silver whilst this year’s world cup champion Carpenter took the gold and the elite women’s title.
Speaking to British Cycling shortly after the race she said:
“It’s pretty crazy, amazing, just the best thing ever.” Carpenter enthused
“I knew this track wasn’t my strongest and I struggled on the first day of practice but then I gradually built into it.”
“I wanted to feel good about my race and have a good race that I was happy about and I did. I really wanted it to be close racing and it was, I bet it was exciting to watch!
“I wasn’t that nervous to be honest, I am quite good at the start of races now. The guys gave me a pep talk yesterday and I thought about all the races where I have done well and I think that got me in a good place to be honest.”
There was more success for Great Britain in the men’s elite finals. Gee Atherton recorded a time of 3:23.769 at the conclusion of his run putting him in first place with four riders still remaining.
He stayed there comfortably until team mate Josh Bryceland was up on him after the first checkpoint. Bryceland looked like he was having a storming ride when a slip caused him to sustain a suspected broken ankle, scuppering any chances of him taking the title from Atherton.
Bryceland eventually finished just short of half a second down on his team mate and took a well-deserved silver medal. The bronze medal went to Troy Brosnan of Australia.
"Any season you win a world championships in is going to be a good one, hasn't sunk in yet but I am absolutely over the moon." Atherton said.
Atherton was quick to offer his condolonces to his team mate who was unable to collect his medal at the podium ceremony after he was taken to hospital to determine the exact nature of his injuries.
"It was an anti-climax but that's racing, just one of those things I guess. It's sad to see Josh injured, he's been on a stormer this year, so sad to see him going so well and within two hundred metres of the finish but it's one of those things.
"You can never predict what's going to happen I guess, hope he gets well soon, poor dude."
Matthew Simmonds of Great Britain finished in 9th place while Sam Dale finished the day in 11th spot. Former world champions Steve Peat and Danny Hart finished in 16th and 17th place respectively. Greg Williamson finished his worlds in 19th place overall.
Earlier in the day Great Britain’s Laurie Greenland took a well-deserved silver in the men’s junior final. The 17-year-old rode a superb run to place him just under five seconds behind eventual winner Loris Vergier of France.
Greenland was over seven seconds ahead of Jacob Dickinson of Ireland who settled for the bronze medal at the conclusion of the race.
“I am so over the moon dude!” he exclaimed
“I slid out in one part of the track but just managed to save it and lost me a bit of time but I just pushed as hard as I could. Everywhere else was just pin perfect.
“I thought I was in with a chance but anything can happen, that’s what worlds is like.”
Great Britain’s Drew Carters finished in 15th place overall, whilst Taylor Vernon finished in 40th after suffering technical difficulties on his run. Neil Steward suffered a crash in his ride and eventually placed in 51st position.
Results
Women's elite downhill finals
Men's elite downhill finals
Men's junior downhill finals
