Michal Prokop completes Be One success with 2nd place in 4X-Final - Mont. St. Anne (CAN) – For years, Mont Sainte Anne has been the host of a thrilling mountainbike event. The 2002 World Cup event has turned out into a big success for our Be One athletes.Annabella Stropparo (ITA) got her first ever World Cup win in the Cross Country Elite Woman’s category. Michal Prokop (CZE) got 2nd in the most thrilling 4X final of the season so far with World Champion Brian Lopes, former World Champion Wade Bootes and World Cup winner Eric Carter.
Several times Stropparo was close to her first World Cup victory, but always something got in the way. This time, nothing could stop Annabella from winning the Mont Saint Anne World Cup, Barbara Blatter (SUI, Specialized) finished 2nd with a 32 seconds gap. In the overall ranking, Stropparo moves up to 3rd place with 2 World Cups ahead. Next week World Cup #4 will take place in Grouse Mountain, near Vancouver.
For years, Michal Prokop is one of the World’s best riders in BMX. This year he already won several rounds in the European Championships BMX, as preparation to the 4X World Cup season. After a 5th place in the Fort William World Cup, Prokop was part of the most exciting 4X-final of the season with World Champion Brian Lopes (USA, GT), 2000 World Champion Wade Bootes (AUS, Trek/Volkswagen) en multiple World Cup winner Eric Carter (USA, Mongoose). Carter took the lead from the start and never gave it away with Prokop, Lopes and Bootes in 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Bas de Bever (NED) was eliminated in the semi final by Lopes and Bootes leaving him in 7th place overall.
Mickael Pascal (FRA) maintained his 4th overall ranking, by finishing 8th in the Men’s Downhill. Steve Peat (GBR, Orange) was fastest with Gracia (FRA, Volvo/Cannondale) and Minnaar (RSA, Global Racing) in 2nd and 3rd.
The UCI World Cup circuit continues with the Cross Country World Cup next week in Grouse Mountain, Canada, near Vancouver. The Downhill / 4X riders have the next World Cup race in Telluride, Colorado, in two weeks.
Main results World Cup Mont Saint Anne
Cross Country Women:
1. Annabella Stropparo (ITA, Be One) 2:01:39
2. Barbara Blatter (SUI, Specialized) + 32
3. Alison Dunlap (USA, Luna Womens) + 2 :50
4X Men :
1. Eric Carter (USA, Mongoose)
2. Michal Prokop (CZE, Be One)
3. Brian Lopes (USA, GT)
4. Wade Bootes (AUS, Trek/Volkswagen)
7. Bas de Bever (NED, Be One)
Downhill Men:
1. Steve Peat (GBR, Orange) 5:09:67
2. Cedric Gracia (FRA, Volvo/Cannondale) + 3.88
3. Greg Minnaar (RSA, Global Racing) + 8.60
8. Mickael Pascal (FRA, Be One) +12.48
For more information: be_one_team@planet.nl
