E_News

KONA LES GETS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW 2007

A multitude of Kona Les Gets Factory Team riders have once again been selected to represent their respective countries at the upcoming World Championships in Fort William, Scotland. Riders and countries are: Tracy Moseley-GBR-Downhill, Fabien Barel-FRA-Downhill, Barry Wicks-USA-Cross Country, Neal Kindree-CAN-Cross Country and Kamil Tatarkovic-CZE-Four Cross. The events at Fort William are consistently ranked by industry teams as the best run events of the season and this World Championships should be the tops. Over 100,000 spectators and racers are expected for the event.

Heading up the charge on what could be considered her home track is Tracy Moseley. She has been riding really well and is fresh off of four gold medals at the Crankworx in Whistler, BC. Moseley is feeling like she has finally hit form this season. “It’s going to be a pressure packed race for me being in front of my home crowd and all. But I’m ready and the cheers
from the home fans will be a big boost,” said Moseley. Moseley is considered one of the top favorites for the Elite Women’s Downhill.

Fabien Barel is showing great courage in coming to the event. Barel’s Crankworx was successful with a gold medal in the Canadian Open Downhill but the luck was bad when he broke three bones in his foot on his last training run of the day. He was cleared by doctors to ride the World Championships even thought there is a very high likelihood of re-injuring the foot. “I’m ready to give it a go. I feel pretty good and will shut the thought of breaking the foot again out. I’m most concerned about getting the feel of the bike back after being out of training for five weeks,” remarked Barel.

Barry Wicks is looking forward to mixing it up with the World Cup caliber competition. He took a break from the World Cups this year and is feeling rested and in good form. Wicks is coming off of his best NORBA season of his career finishing 5th place overall. Many of the top World Cup performers were at the NORBA events this season and Wicks has had a chance to test his fitness against them throughout the season and is looking for a top 20 finish.

Neal Kindree the reigning two time U-23 Cross Country Canadian National Champion has hopes for a podium finish. “I’ve been riding really well this season and at the Canadian World Cups I was right in there with the top U-23 riders so I feel like I have a good shot. I’ve been working on my starts, which have been horrible in the past. If a can get a good start I think I’ll
be in a good position for a podium,” said Kindree.

Kamil Tatarkovic has come off of a couple of solid performances in his homeland of the Czech Republic where some of the best four cross riders reside. Tatarkovic has not had the season he had hoped and is looking for a solid finish at World Championships. Last year he finished 3rd overall in the UCI World Cup Rankings and is looking to show in Fort William that that this was no mistake.

It’s been a good season for the Kona Les Gets Factory Team so far this year and we are look forward to some fine finishes at the biggest single race of the year.

Till Next Time,
Marko

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