Avoiding the forest fires that have devastated Colorado, Steve Peat (Orange, England) lit a match to the competition at round five of the Tissot /UCI World Cup in Telluride. Riding with a knee injury sustained during practice, Peat bounced back from a lowly qualifying position to beat Fabien Barel (Maxxis-MSC) by .15 of a second. Maxxis teammate, Cyril Lagneau, took third, less than a second behind Peat. Young Canadian ripper, and freeride video star, Dustin Adams (Giant) claimed his highest World Cup placing ever in fourth, narrowly ahead of Mick Hannah (Haro-Lee Dungarees). A solid, top-20, performance by Crawford Carrick-Anderson keeps him in 20th overall.

Conditions facing the competitors were tough, with the lean air intensified by dry, dusty conditions. Early World Cup leader, Chris Kovarik (Intense Cycles), could only manage 21st, battling against a broken thumb, fractured rib and bruised kidney. But Kovarik’s downfall proved to be Peat’s fortune as the Aussie relinquished his black leader’s jersey to the Englishman. Fashionistas will be shocked to learn that Steve abandoned his usual baggy attire in place of a wind-cheating skinsuit for his final run, although he tipped his hat to the hardcore by keeping his peak bolted firmly in place.

It was a Bastille day 1-2 in the women’s event as, perennial favourite, Anne-Caroline Chausson (Volvo-Cannondale), continued her dominance in front of Sabrina Jonnier (Intense Cyles) and Marielle Saner (Team Global Racing). It was a rocky road to victory though, as Chausson looked to be down and out after a crash in the 4X left her warming a hospital bed. A last minute decision in light of the close-fought title between Jonnier and herself led her to board the ski lift and ride the qualifying run.

Tracy Moseley (Team Kona) qualified fastest, but a small mistake was enough to relegate her to fifth place on the day, but she retains third overall.