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VAL DI SOLE – ITALY
The 2008 World Championships returned to the scene of the 2006 European MTB Championships and I for one was interested to see what the local organisers could pull out of the bag by way of organisation. The 2006 Euros were, by comparison to Fort Bill, a very tame affair with no gondolas/ski lifts and not a lot of interest from the big trade teams. At Fort Bill last year I watched representatives from Val di Sole walk around the very impressive pits area and thought to myself what will it be like next year. OK – it was always going to be difficult to get close to Fort Bill which regularly hosts big events but my own personal opinion is that this was a well organised World Champs on a course that has been “rated” by the riders as one of the most difficult. The course itself was completely different from the Euro course two years previously with the finish a bit “Fort Billesque” - riders coming through the Nissan arch onto a ski slope for a spectacular finish. There wasn’t the same number of spectators but it was still healthy and the course was well lined from top to bottom.
I can’t remember how much the entry fee was at Fort Bill last year but this one was absolutely free. No entry fee, free car parking, free train shuttle service from the surrounding villages which were used as overspill car parks and plenty of freebies from the trade stands. You couldn’t get a wild hog or venison burger but there was plenty of pasta – much better for you anyway! The weather, up until Wednesday, had been poor, but once the thunderstorms had cleared the air it was “hip hip hip hooray the sun has got his hat on and he’s coming out to play”. Each day seemed to get hotter and the track changed with riders starting look at other tyre choices rather than the obligatory spikes up until then. If I had a criticism of the organisation it would have been the lack of information and this was partly my own fault for not understanding Italiano. There were no programmes on sale and you had to be quick to get start lists and seeding run times which were left in various locations throughout the race village. The big screen was of course essential viewing but it didn’t kick in until the top 5 or 6 juniors were on course. There may have been a technical problem but it was disappointing for anyone who had an interest in the junior category. Anti midge cream was replaced by sun screen and mosquito nets and water proofs were replaced by shades, shorts and t-shirts. The sun and good weather really does make a difference and whilst it never reached the heights of Fort Bill the atmosphere was more relaxed and carnival like with some non descript euro techno babble blaring in the background actually adding to the ambience – although even the commentator had to ask for it to be turned down a few notches on occasion. The very welcome “refreshment” stands were popular and the local amber nectar helped refresh the needy areas.
Ewan Doc Seanan O’Riorden
Most of the big trade names were there along with some that I’ve never heard of and there was a good buzz about the village and pits area. It was however disappointing that some manufacturers chose not to be there – Orange Bikes and Hope were two noticeable absentees which didn’t help a few of the Irish teams riders who were a bit reliant on these manufacturers. All was however not lost as the Irish DH mechanic James O’Carroll was at hand to offer comfort (to the battered and bruised bikes) and support. Using some of that deep south infamous Cork charm James became “master blagger” and I think everyone knew James by the end of the weekend – in a good way! Just as Dale had done the at last years Champs James worked tirelessly to ensure that the riders bikes were in race condition to give the riders as much advantage as possible. Dave ”the go-for” was on hand to offer assistance whenever needed and Assistant Manager Rory OK was always there to make sure the boring administration was completed and ensured that the riders were kept informed and hydrated…. and out of trouble. It was a smaller team than in previous years and it’s not my intention to get involved in that issue. The team did however bond well and the size brought the unit closer together with no dissent amongst the riders or management. Belfast, Dublin and Cork brogues all mixed together willingly and there was the usual craic which only a collection of Irishmen can conjure up.
The practice times generally worked around the other events that were going on and that often meant a very early start for the riders and in particular the Juniors. I don’t think any of the Irish team, with the exception of Ben, got any clean runs in practice – it was just that sort of course. Seeding day was the start of the big build up and there was a good crowd there to see the riders jockeying for position or in some cases cruising down the track as they didn’t want the privilege of being one of the last riders down – Barel and to a lesser extent Hill were good examples of this. The Irish riders all faired fairly well although all of them apart from Ben (who had an excellent run to give him 11th fastest seeding time) had some sort of problem on their runs usually linked to crashes. With expectation and nerves rising race day came and it was Seanan O’Riorden who had the privilege of being the first Irish rider off in the Junior cat. Ewan Doherty was the second Irish rider off shortly after and whilst the two young uns couldn’t better their seeding positions their times were considerably quicker and against a lot of factory supported riders they both did themselves proud with Ewan in 17th and Seanan in 29th. Dan and Greg went off after each other in the Elites and they both improved dramatically on their seeding run times to both finish in the top 60 within a second of each other in 52nd and 57th respectively. With Ben Reid having such a good seeding run hopes were high that he could pull off a top ten result but it wasn’t to be and Ben ended up in 29th. Is a post mortem needed? Not on the riders enthusiasm effort and commitment and the Management and Support Teams efforts and assistance during the event cannot be questioned.
Dan Wolfe Greg OK
Resources and support from CI and other potential support sources is however an issue that needs consideration. OK – DH is not an Olympic sport and does not have any right to exceptional funding. Why it is not an Olympic sport remains a mystery to me. It may not have the same participation levels as some other bike disciplines but when it comes to the World Champs it is without doubt the one that most spectators come to see – no offence to the XCrs, 4Xrs and trial riders. Just look at the Elite DH final with the drama that unfolded throughout the race right up to the very end. Aside from Ireland’s one professional rider Ben Reid who receives limited funding as it is, the other riders have to scrimp and save to go to World Cups and British/Scottish rounds with little backing from their governing body or any factory support. They are true privateers and whilst they didn’t set the world alight with their results they were true professionals in their attitude and how they conducted themselves – no throwing the toys the out of the pram when things didn’t go right – which some other well supported riders were guilty of. The DHrs represent their country just as the XCrs and “roadies” do, but with much less financial support even though it is one of the most successful disciplines that Irish riders compete in. There must be someone or some company out there who would give some of the financial support needed to give them the financial resources needed to improve the preparation for race events and I’m not just talking about bikes and spares. I’m probably living in another dimension but …..!
Ben Reid Is that an XCr in with the DHrs?
The trials event wasn’t held at the same venue as the other events so I can’t report on the results. I was on my way home when the 4X and Elite XC took place so again no comment. The Irish XC team can however be proud of its achievements as well with Irish Junior Champion Liam McGreevy getting a very credible 42nd even with a few mechanicals and a puncture. Neill McGimpsey finished 89th and Paul O’Reilly failed to finish after going well in the early stages of the race – nothing to be ashamed of on a deadly and savage track. Big Connor McConvey put some of the disappointment of non-Olympic selection behind him to finish an impressive 21st in the U23 event and with another 3 or 4 years in this cat the future looks good for Connor. It was good to see the Irish XC and DH teams side by side in the team area and whilst they were not running around hugging each other there was a mutual respect for each other and the junior riders in each discipline actually started speaking to each other! All joking aside it was good to see Liam, Neill and Paul from XC sitting along with Ewan and Seanan and giving them their support and there’s certainly experiences and skills that they can learn from each other.
I missed the Saturday night festivities which I suspect eclipsed the end of champs party on Sunday night but rumour has it that the riders and support team all enjoyed themselves with Dan “the leprechaun” Wolfe getting the party swinging with some nifty dance moves on the DJ stage. It certainly broke the ice and the party (s) went on to the early hours and the walk home to the team hotel was longer on the way back if you get my drift. A well deserved respite from the discipline, water and energy drinks up until then. It wouldn’t be a World Champs without Greg OK getting an injury and he didn’t disappoint and I suspect he’ll be getting his knee checked out back in Cork. Ewan Doc broke his finger in practice on Friday (confirmed on his arrival back in Belfast) but most of the team came off at some stage and Greg and Ewan and the other riders soldiered on with barely a whimper – not that they would have got much sympathy probably anyway! The riders and support team deserve a big congrats and there’s no doubt that with some more support they can improve even more. Let’s hope that someone takes notice and things improve in the future. In the meantime it’s a busy period for some riders with the Killarney DH this weekend, a British NPS in Fort Bill the following weekend, the European Championships in Italy (again – but different destination) and the Irish National Champs at the end of July. Good luck to you all!
More pictures available at - http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/desperado.doherty/Worlds2008
