07/27/2010 Brendan Fairclough on the podium at Champery World Cup UCI World Cup DH - Champery, Switzerland
Story by: Renners / Dirt Magazine
Monster Energy Specialized rider Brendan Fairclough finished 3rd at the thrilling and dramatic World Cup #4 at Champery, Switzerland. Brendan's Monster Energy / Specialized teammate Sam Hill is still out with an injury sustained after a crash at the opening round in Maribor.
The anticipated rain at Champery held off making the track sticky with deep ruts. Greg Minnaar who qualified 15th set a blistering time in the conditions of 4:04.98 which put him comfortably in the hot seat. Brendan Fairclough came close with a 4:06.75 for 3rd.
It is Fairclough's second podium of the 2010 season. Brendan now sits fourth in the Championship points standings, just 59 points out of third position.
Gee Atherton, who switched to flat pedals for his final run, blasted down the hill, nearly two seconds up on Minnaar at the first split and pushing that to 3.65 at the second split. He lost time on the lower section but stopped the clock at 4:02.19, 02.75 faster than Minnaar and took over the lead.
Damien Spagnolo proved that his 2nd place qualifier yesterday was not the luck of the weather and steered the Mondraker down just 5 seconds off the pace for a 5th place proving he has the skills when the going gets muddy.
All eyes were on last man down and fastest qualifier Sam Blenkinsop who had been looking rapid in practise, but it was clear at the first split that Blenky was slightly off the pace today and clocked a 4:07.00 for 4th step on the podium.
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