Graves wins gold, Griffiths wins hearts

Published on Saturday 6 June 2009 22:42

BEIJING Olympian Jared Graves did it again last night, taking gold at the Mountain Bike World Cup in Fort William, but it was Fionn Griffiths who stole the home fans' hearts.

Australian Four Cross favourite Graves stretched his overall World Cup lead with a second consecutive victory in Lochaber and must now be favourite to take the Men's 4X World Cup title.

He finished comfortably ahead of French riders Romain Saladini and Czech Lukas Machura to take the top prize.

But while there were no British males on the winner's podium, Brit Griffiths finished third in the ladies event, keeping herself in contention in the series after her unexpected win in Andorra.

"I am really happy with my performance today," said a breathless Griffiths, who finished behind American victor Jill Kintner and Australian Caroline Buchanan in second place.

"The competition was very, very tough but I am delighted with third place."

In the men's downhill, yesterday's qualifiers belonged to 2008 World Champion Gee Atherton, who was fastest with a time of 4 minutes 43.34 seconds.

The 24-year-old cranked up the heat for today's final, and with World Cup leader Steve Peat expected to rally it set up a potential battle of Britain for the medals.

Peat, buoyed by victories in France and Andorra, clocked up a conservative 4 minutes 49 seconds to finish fifth but can't be discounted when it comes to the real thing, as Atherton agreed.

"It is great to get the time in qualification but it means nothing for Sunday, really. What it does is show you that you are up to pace with the big boys and I have to say, I feel good," he said.

"I am sitting fourth at the moment in the series so those extra points for qualifying are needed."

A little overnight rain solved the problems of 2008 when part of the bone-hard course had to be sprinkled to offer the riders some relief for their battered joints.

The pros were clearly enjoying the conditions and the Highland hospitality.

"We weren't sure if the crowd were going to come out when we were looking around on Friday but they were definitely up for it today. They were wild in the qualifying runs and I think it is going to be a great final," said Atherton.

The Scottish riders, too, were contented with their displays, in particular the beanpole figure of Oban's Ben Cathro.

Tallest in the field at 6ft 7in, his time of 4:53 secured him ninth position – one place down from his best ever finish of eighth, at Fort William last year.

Joe Barnes, who sees the Nevis Range every morning from his Corpach home, also slipped inside the top 30 with a time of 4 minutes 59 seconds. "For a seeding run, it was good," said the 20-year-old. "I can open my curtains in the morning and see the course, look at the weather, and decide what I am going to do. I usually get a few runs on the course a year which is good for the fitness, too."

In the ladies Downhill, Tracy Moseley, winner here last year, was just a fraction outside the time of second-placed Emmeline Ragot of France.

However, she saw overall series leader and biggest foe, Sabrina Jonnier, perform an almost perfect run.

Jonnier's time of 5:29:44 was a number of wheel turns ahead of both Ragot and Moseley, who finished in third place with a time of 5:37:44.

Britain did, though, manage five riders in the women's top 20.

There could be more blue, red and white ribbons around the medals today after all.