Schladming Race Highlights
10 Clips - Action and Interviews
Truth and Speculation
After Canberra Greg Minnaar looked good to win the overall but both Sam Hill and Gee Atherton were within reach if the right chain of events unfolded. You can't ask for much more drama than that after an entire season of racing. With some of the young riders coming into their own - like Sam Blenkinsop, Steve Smith and the surprising US rider Aaron Gwin who cracked the top 10 in two of his first three World Cup Races - next year is looking even better. If you can't wait to watch the videos and you must know the final results now click here for men and here for women.
I heard from reliable sources that Sam Hill had been having high level talks with Specialized for 2009. There's no question that Iron Horse is out of the game so he's certainly looking. The rumours hit Freecaster this weekend so I guess I can let the cat out of the bag as well. Apparently Specialized has already produced some prototype frames aimed at Sam's geometry preferences and the word is he even rode them after Crankworx in Pemberton. That's what came out of the rumour mill anyway and there certainly hasn't been anything confirmed officially. We'll likely hear officialy news after Interbike.
In case you missed it Martin Whiteley and 23 Degrees Sports Management will be returning to the World Cup DH circuit in 2009. The company was behind the success of Global Racing and then most recently Team G Cross Honda. No riders are confirmed but the big news is that whoever they manage to sign will be riding Trek bikes. Amazing to see both Trek and Specialized re-entering the DH scene in a big way in the same year. This can only mean good things for gravity racing. Maybe we'll see Steve Smith on a Trek? There will be a bidding war for Aaron Gwin as well.
Velonews is reporting that Minnaar will be following Martin Whiteley - with whom he worked on Team Honda G Cross - to Trek for 2009.
Having Freecaster broadcast live coverage on top of great highlights and complete race runs has been amazing this year. For the first time it was easy for riders like you and I to stay on top of the action and to see it unfold - and it never disappointed. The good news is that Freecaster just signed up for a three year exclusive deal with the UCI so it looks like we'll be able to keep bringing you the coverage. I for one am hooked and I can't wait for next year. Freecaster will also be rebroadcasting the entire live feed from Schladming at some point and I'll be sure to let you know.
If you have anything to say about the rumours, results or videos chime in here...
Dirt Mag's wrap up video.
Race Highlights and Interviews.
The winning run - a surprise first win by...
Second place to Sam Hill.
Third to Gee Atherton.
Steve Peat takes fourth in the race and overall.
Greg Minnaar rounds out the podium.
The men's 4X Final.
Rachel Atherton won the women's race by 13 seconds to take the title.
Brendan Fairclough was on track to podium when disaster struck...
How did you like the coverage this year? What's going to happen next year? Gossip and speculate here...
For complete men's results click here and for women's click here.
