KENDA-PLAYBIKER at round #4 MTB World Cup - Champery, Switzerland
Team Kenda Playbiker had a fantastic week of racing in Champery, Switzerland at the 4th round of the World Cup downhill series.
08.05.10 MILAN, Italy - Team Kenda Playbiker had a fantastic week of racing in Champery, Switzerland at the 4th round of the World Cup downhill series. Shaun O'Connor (AUS) finished 16th and proved that he has what it takes to ride with the best in the world on one of the steepest, gnarliest tracks. Kiwi Team mates Wyn Masters was 33rd after an amazing qualify run in 5th position and series veteran Nathan Rankin failed to qualify after crashing in the sometimes axle deep mud on track.
When the rain came, it turned the once fast and steep Champery downhill track into a slip and slide of gargantuan proportions. Tires didn't clear, grips got slippery even if you didn't crash, and you could not have enough tear offs; and if you did, you couldn't find a place to use them.
O'Connor was happy with his run. "16th is a great result considering the conditions. I just tried to get down and keep the bike upright in the mud. I've never ridden in these sort of conditions before."
Masters was apparently not bothered by the conditions. "I quite like it, it's fun. After my qualify in 5th, I wanted to do better than 33rd but it was hard to just hang on out there."
Rankin had little to say following an incredibly disappointing qualifying run that saw him on his back over the bars and not able to run back up the track to get his bike without losing plenty of time. "I'm just getting to old for this, mate!"
Then, after a quick stop to do few laundries in Pila (Italy) to remove Champery's mud, the team headed directly to Val Di Sole, Italy for what they feel essentially their World Cup home track since it will be the only round in Italy. Expecting a fast race, with huge lines on what is going to become a grudge match for plenty of riders looking to avenge results from the 2008 World Championships.
www.playbiker.it
KENDA-PLAYBIKER thanks all the team sponsors for the great support and their excellent products:
Kenda Tyres, Pila Bike Planet, Lapierre bikes, Fox Suspensions, Fulcrum Wheels, Funn MTB, e*thirteen, NS Dynamics, FiveTen, Penta Power, Insight Production, X-Service, Starx, Meccaniche del Tempo.
Team KENDA-PLAYBIKER is proudly member of IMTTO www.imtto.com



