Transition FMD Racing: Tahnée Wins WC Race in Leogang, Austria

"After 2 weeks on the road at 2 World Cup events, please excuse us if this report glosses over the teams misfortunes at Fort William World Cup – a race that honestly, we would rather forget. So much so, that half the team drowned their sorrows during the 14 hour boat journey from Newcastle to Amsterdam on their way to Leogang, Austria.The drive brings you out in what we believe to one of the most picturesque World Cup venues we will ever go to. A track that brings out very different vibes from the riders as it is based in a bike park but, the riders are here to race bikes downhill and the faster these guys go, the more technical any track becomes."

"Kaos has been on a high from the start of the season and that showed again as he was right up there in timed training. Party was still on the back foot but looking to improve this weekend. Tahnée was nervous, the result in Fort William had put her overall position down to 5th place – not where she wanted to be. The top girls are riding well, Myriam Nicole is getting quicker on her 29er, Manon Carpenter is jelling with her new team and Tracey Hannah seems determined to be at the top now to take that form to Cairns. There were some big crashed on this course and we wish the fallen riders a speedy recovery. Greg Minnaar stood up to his legend status and demanded safety changes to which the course designers and UCI agreed. The biggest change coming to the last jump which was mellowed so not to send the riders into the stratosphere – and in a few cases, hospital."

QUALIFYING…

"Joe Parfitt on just squeezed into finals after qualifying 20th in Juniors – Kaos’ speed was up there qualifying 3rd. All eyes were on Tahnée – she had a good run and qualified 2nd over 2 seconds back from Tracey Hannah… it was all shaping up for a great Sunday."

FINALS…
"Joe just could not find the speed and had to settle for 16th place. Kaos was unfortunate as he went off track and with his first split not where it needed to be he pushed on hard just missing out on the top 3 by 0.12 and ended up 4th."

"Tahnée… Really, what more could we ask for?! A good clean race between the fastest female racers in Leogang! Choices/decisions had to be made throughout the weekend to ensure Tahnée had the best possible chance of spinning for the win come Sunday. Having had a disaster at the lottery that was Fort William, Tahnee was on the hunt for redemption at Leogang, a course that truly carved her career in 2012 when thinking she was certain for a junior Gold medal – she was beaten into silver. Each morning our amazing team would have Tahnée and her stead primed and ready for action, focused on gaining the 2 seconds back from the fastest qualifier. Losing on Sunday was not an option and her focused mentality would ensure the premier position on that podium."

"A gap of 3 seconds over the current leader would have given Tahnée the cushion to take the win but, as it was just uner at 2.5, we all sat nervously as the impressive Tracey Hannah was on course. Tracey gained time in the middle section and was pushing the limits… it was not enough and Tahnée Seagrave took her first ever World Cup win. And the champagne commences…."