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The
World of Inline Downhill goes back to Bettola after 7 years (the
last world cup event had taken place back in 2004). The course was
the same, but the asphalt was much rougher this time.
5 fast and challenging corners, one long tricky turn and a braking
right hander in very narrow road in the heart of the village of
Bettola made this course both demanding and complete. The winner had
to be a good skater to push out of the turns, had to master a good
top speed position and to be an excellent braker.
Harry Perna has shown, once more, to be a complete champion. And he
is only 24.
The weather has been clement with our skaters: on race day a strong
shower ended right before the beginning of the training runs, and
rain came back only a few minutes after the race of the last
competitor in the final!
-Women
There has been no real competition. Christ-Thomas' final run
completely destroyed any hope for the others. The 7 seconds gap
between her and Emilie Sadoux, silver medalist speaks for itself.
Marjorie Phlippoteau had no feeling with this course and was not
able to do better than a third place, just in front of her teammate
Marie Marchand.
-Men
All the world’s top riders were at the start of this 12th Inline
Downhill World Championship, except France’s Cédric Buxin, Fabien
Caron and Morocco’s Samir Hali, still recovering from old injuries.
Many hopes were on Italy's Angelo Vecchi and the "Local hero" (as
written on a poster hung on a building in the square of Bettola )
Davide Tacchini, at his last world Championships (he will retire
from competitions at the end of this season).
In the qualifying runs many big guns hided themselves, braking just
before the finish line or not pushing the limit (the course was leg
burning and not many athletes could afford 3 full power runs). Perna,
Ladurner, Montavon, Vecchi and Noerl were in the top spots before
the final. Davide Tacchini did not find a good feeling with the
final turn of his home course and could not be faster than a
disappointing 9th place.
The final's 2'08"54 set by Harry Perna was simply unbelievable. He
did not make any mistake and won with less than one second of
advantage on his strongest opponent, the Austrian multi world Champ
Daniel Ladurner. The battle for third saw the return on the podium
of a Swiss rider, Christian Montavon, one of the most talented guys
of the whole world of inline downhill. The Swiss came to Bettola
with a good team, welcome back Switzerland! Italy threw some new
riders in the game, too. The movement is renovating and rejuvenating.
See you all in Teolo in two weeks for another Italian race!
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