MTB Worlds: XC and DH Results

The US continued their tough luck Worlds this weekend, enduring multiple mechanicals and injuries during the downhill and cross country competitions. In the Men's XC, top-ranked Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, US Champ Ryan Trebon, Michael Broderick and Todd Wells all succumbed to broken parts (mostly chains) or injuries. However, Jeremiah Bishop ran a strong race and came in eighth, giving the US their first top 10 finish since 1995. The Women had a little bit better time of their XC race, putting four riders in the top 20. Mary McConneloug was the highest placing American in 6th place. Norwegian Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesja and France's Julien Absalon won their respective XC championships.

The Women's DH team came cose to getting the US their second medal, but Melissa Buhl came up just 2.6 seconds short to finish in 4th place. The US Men DHers posted two top 20 finishers, Duncan Riffle (19th) and Luke Strobel (20th). Australia's Sam Hill and France's Sabrina Jonnier won their respective DH championships.

Congrats to NorCal riders Evan Thurpen (33rd in DH from Aptos, CA) and Mary McConneloug (6th in XC from Fairfax, CA).

USA Cycling has posted some pictures of the events in their photo album.

Elite Women’s Downhill
1. Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) 3:50.32
4. Melissa Buhl (Chandler, Ariz.) +10.08
10. Kathy Pruitt (Lake Almanor, Calif.) +17.21
19. Jacqueline Harmony (Tucson, Ariz.) +43.82

Elite Men’s Downhill
1. Sam Hill (AUS) 3:11.93
19. Duncan Riffle (Santa Barbara, Calif.) +16.54
20. Luke Strobel (Renton, Wash.) +16.66
24. Cody Warren (Alpine, Calif.) +17.74
29. Christopher Herndon (Etowah, N.C.) +21.52
33. Evan Turpen (Aptos, Calif.) +22.37
34. Cole Bangert (Twin Lakes, Colo.) +22.62
37. Justin Havukainen (Castro Valley, Calif.) +26.27

Elite Women’s Cross Country Race
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle-Fleesja (NOR) 1:55:19
6. Mary McConneloug (Fairfax, Calif.) +10:07
17. Willow Koerber (Horseshoe, N.C.) +15:20
18. Dara Marks-Marino (Flagstaff, Ariz.) +15:20
20. Georgia Gould (Ketchum, Idaho) +16:01
23. Heather Irmiger (Boulder, Colo.) +17:29
33. Shonny Vanlandingham (Durango, Colo.) +23:15
DNF. Sue Haywood (Davis, W. Va.)

Elite Men’s Cross Country Race
1. Julien Absalon (FRA)2:09.07
8. Jeremiah Bishop (Harrisonburg, Va.) +6:21
17. Adam Craig (Bend, Ore.) +9:16
47. Barry Wicks (Corvallis, Ore.) -1 Lap
61. Michael Broderick (Chilmark, Mass.) -2 Laps
65. Todd Wells (Durango, Colo.) -3 Laps
DNF. Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Boulder, Colo.)
DNF. Ryan Trebon (Ventura, Calif.)