Team Animal Commencal NISSAN UCI WORLD CUP ROUND 6 RESULTS
Dan and Gee on the podium in Mont Sainte Anne
Both Athertons took podium spots in Round 6 of the World Cup, which took place in Mont Sainte Anne in Quebec, giving them a points-boost in the overall rankings.
Gee started proceedings with a steady qualifying run which placed him in 3rd position and within striking distance of the win.
Race day saw a change in the weather with overnight rain changing the course considerably.
Aaron Gwin, 11th fastest qualifier, set a time that many thought was good enough to take the win. Gee powered out of the start house and rode fast, if slightly reserved, on the slick track. He came close to Gwin but missed out by just 0.4 of a second which left him in third position.
Steve Peat then pushed both Gee and Gwin back a spot only to see fastest qualifier Sam Hill take the win.
Gee finished 4th in the race remains in 4th place overall and is a mere 102 points off overall leader and race winner Sam Hill.
Gee's brother and team member Dan took to the 4X race as 4th fastest qualifier. Dan ripped his way through the first few rounds to find himself facing stiff competition in the semi finals.
Dan held strong out of the start gate and was placed 2nd going into the first corner with World Cup Series leader Jared Graves out front.
As the pair exited corner one, reigning World Champion Rafa Alvarez barged his way past Dan. Despite trying a couple of manoeuvres Dan failed to make the pass.
He salvaged the race by taking the B final and the last spot on the podium retaining 6th overall.
Dan is placed in 6th position in the overall rankings and only four points off fifth-placed Alvarez.
The Team now heads across Quebec to a small ski resort called Bromont for World Cup Series Round 7 (1-2 August) where Dan and Gee will be looking to step up on the podium and move up the rankings.
Join the Atherton Extended Family at www.animalcommencal.com and stay in touch with all the latest updates from team Animal Commencal via Twitter (www.twitter.com/athertonracing
Photos by Sven Martin.
