Sheffield’s Steve Peat won his first World Cup downhill of
the season at Vail, Colorado on Sunday and, in doing so, sent a message of intent
to his rivals. A clear two and a half seconds clear of Nicholas Vouilloz, Peat is
running into top form and moves into second place in the series. He will now be looking
to improve on his second in last year’s series, but with Voullioz never lower than
second so far this season, Peat will have to rely on winning every race and hoping
that the Frenchman falters, as he did at the World Championships.



The women’s race was dominated by Anne-Caroline Chausson of France, who was a massive
eight seconds clear of runner-up, Missy Giove of the USA. Chausson extended her lead
in the Series to 160 points over her American rival. Top Brit was consistent World
Cup performer, Helen Mortimer, in twelfth, with promising junior Fionn Griffiths
just behind her in thirteenth. For Fionn, the race was a bonus, after the British
Cycling Federation stepped in to fund her trip to Colorado, offering her chance to
gain experience of the 2001 World Championship venue.



In the Dual, Steve Peat and Helen Mortimer both managed fourth place in their respective
categories. Winners were Brian Lopes of the USA and Anne-Caroline Chausson.



Tissot World Cup

Downhill 5 – Vail, USA : 15-16.7.2000



Results – Elite Men Downhill

Name Team Time

1. Steve Peat GBR Team GT 4:24.41

2. Nicolas Vouilloz FRA Vouilloz Racing Team 4:26.96

3. Nathan Rennie AUS Yeti 4:26.97

4. David Vazquez Lopez ESP Subaru-Specialized 4:27.80

5. Greg Minnaar RSA Animal Orange 4:28.42

Other British

24. Rob Warner

27. Will Longden

32. Crawford Carrick-Anderson

34. Nigel Page

39. Ed Moseley



World Cup standings after five of eight rounds

1 Nicolas Vouilloz 1100

2 Steve Peat 835

3 David Vazquez Lopez 760



Results – Elite Women Downhill

1. Anne-Caroline Chausson Fra Volvo Cannondale 4:51.57

2. Missy Giove Usa Foes/Azonic 5:00.48

3. Katja Repo Fin Team GT 5:03.30

4. Marla Streb Usa Yeti 5:08.22

5. Marielle Saner Sui Hot Chili Team 5:11.41

British

12 Helen Mortimer Gbr Mbuk/Jamis 5:22.41

13 Fionn Griffiths Gbr Gt Bicycles 5:28.70