<<HOME DH, 4X, - 2006 Finals Schladming, Aus Tracy Moseley Report: So here we are at the World Cup final, I am sure the summers are going faster as it doesn’t seem very long since I was writing my race report after the first round of this series ! It’s been a great season and a great circuit of events all across the globe. The one common factor is that it rained at every world cup race this year at some point during the weekend ! Schladming was no exception, although we were treated to some great weather for the race weekend. Schladming is always one of the rider’s favourite tracks on the world cup circuit as it’s a ‘proper’ downhill, nearly all natural, a long, steep hill and very little pedalling ! I always enjoy riding here, but I always struggle with my hands just cramping up and I lose the ability to grip and brake very effectively ! This year unfortunately was no different and with the conditions dry it was an even faster and rougher track. I had a healthy lead coming into the final and I knew I just had to get a good run in. I had not taken time to sit down and work out all the points, to work out where I could afford to finish is Sabrina won. I was just going to take the race as it came. I was riding well in practice after a couple of good crashes on the first day of practice. As I went up for practice on the morning of the race I realised that this was going to be a tough day, as the nerves were already setting in! For my qualifying run I was really nervous and for one of the first times in my racing career I felt a little sick sat in the start gate ! Not a good way to start a downhill run ! However I had a fairly solid run, placing 3rd, with the important result that Sabrina was behind me so I had gained another 5 points to my lead. As soon as I had got the qualifying out of the way I felt much better and managed to get my nerves together. The qualifier was won by Emmeline Ragot, with Rachel Atherton in 2nd. I felt much better for my final run and again had a good run, however I just felt tight on my bike and could not really relax and let go. I came down the hill into 2nd spot behind Sabrina. I eventually got pushed down into 3rd on the day, but it was enough to take the overall World Cup Title and to become the first British Woman to win the World Cup. It was such a great relief to finally win this title after a long season of being in the lead from the first race and also after 5 years of finishing inside the top 5, but never managing to hold on to the top spot until the final round. It was a great feeling to have achieved one of the biggest goals of my racing career. My parents and personal trainer also made the trip so it was great for them to be there and see me win. Steve Peat taking the men’s overall title also added to what was a great day for British Mountain Biking and hopefully an inspiration for the future of the sport here. My success also enabled Kona Les Gets to take the Overall UCI Team Title in the women’s downhill. This is a great achievement and an opportunity to show that my success is also thanks to a lot of hard work by a lot of people. Most notably my mechanic Paul Walton. I have worked with Paul for 6 years now and he has had an incredible influence on my riding with his help with bike set up and his perfection when it comes to getting the most out of my bike. He is a true professional and it is a credit to his ability that I have not finished outside if the top3 in every event I have done this year and had no mechanical problems ! Thank you Paul. I also have a load of other people I need to thank, my support team at home, personal trainer Brain Philpotts, masseur Martin Newhill and all my family for their support. And finally a big thanks to Kona and all my sponsors who without them I would not have got to where I am now. I now have the final race of the National Series next weekend in Fort William and then a break before I commence training for the 2007 season where I will have my sights set on retaining my world cup title and most importantly bringing home a World Championship Title on home soil next September ! Thanks Tracy Picture Gallery <<HOME
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