Name: Steve Peat Country: U.K. D.O.B: 17/06/74 - 32 Height: 6’3” Weight: 14 Stone - Likes Fish n Chips
Team: Santa Cruz Syndicate 06 Results: World Cups- 1st Willengen, 3rd Vigo, 4th Fort William, 2nd Brazil World Cup Wins: 15 06 World Cup Standing: 1st 898 points Past World Champs: 2nd 2002, 2nd 2001, 2nd 2000 Other Results: World Cup Winner 2002/2005, Runner Up 1999 & 2000
Peaty is one of the vets of the circuit. He was getting the results back in the late 90’s,and as time wears on he has been becoming more dominant. He has won more major races than almost anyone. 2x World Cup Overall champ, Steve has not had the best luck when it comes to the World Champs and he definitely wants to win one. Peaty loves the mud and this could be a very muddy race. He has been tapped out all season and has to be the favourite for a win. After all NZ is part of the British Empire.
Name: Greg Minnaar Country: South Africa D.O.B 13/11/81 - 26 Height: 186cm. Weight: 78kg
Team: Honda G-Cross 06 Results: World Cups- 3rd Fort William, 2nd Willengen, 2nd Mont- Sainte-Anne, 2x Norba wins World Cup Wins: 5xDH, 1x 4x 06 World Cup Standing: 2nd 720 points Past World Champs: 1st 2003,3rd 2005, 2nd 2004, 3rd 2001 Other Results: World Cup Champ 2005, 2001,
Greg has had a great few years lately. Of the current crop when it comes to the Worlds, only one other rider has a better record. He knows how to win big races. Some of the Kiwi pros rate his chances on the Vegas track. He can ride big and jump big. Will he repeat his past performance of 2003 for another win? He is looking for the win in 06.
PHOTO CREDIT: Gary Perkin // www.flipper.co.za
Name: Sam Hill Country: Australia D.O.B 21/07/85 - 21 Height: Slighly less than 6 foot Weight: Probably mid 70’s
Team: Team Madcatz Racing/ Iron Horse 06 Results:World Cups 1st Fort William, 3rd Mont-Sainte-Anne, Norba – 1x win, 2x 2nd World Cup Wins: 3 06 World Cup Standing: 3rd 696 Points Past World Champs: 2nd 2005, 3rd 2004, 2x Junior World Champion 03 & 02 Other Results: 2nd World Cup Series Overall 2004 & 2005, 2x Aus National Champ, 2nd 2006 Oceanias
Sam is the undisputed King of Drift. That corner in Earthed 3 was unbelievable. He just seems to make things look easy. Watching him early on in practice for the Oceania’s, he came up to a natural step down at the top of the track and just seemed to pop the bike in the air and put it in the perfect position on his first attempt. He was second here at the Oceania’s, but rumour is he crashed. If Sam holds it together, can anyone beat him?
Team: Team Animal/Giant 06 Results: 1st European Champs, 5th Vigo, 5th Fort William, 3rd Willengen,4th Brazil World Cup Wins: 1 06 World Cup Standing: 4th 653 Points Past World Champs: 5th 2005, Runner up Juniors 2004
Other Results: 2003 European Junior Champion
Gee has definitely been stepping it up lately. 2nd a couple of years ago in the Junior’s. He took his first World Cup win last year. No other rider this year has been on more World Cup podiums than Gee – he is Mr Consistent. He seems to be on a roll at the minute having won the Euro champs a couple of weeks back in Val De Sole, Italy. Gee knows how to go big (see snow jump and jump on Earthed 3).
Name: Mick Hannah Country: Australia D.O.B: 22 Height: Weight:
Team: Cannondale 06 Results: World Cup – 1st Vigo, 3rd Brazil World Cup Wins: 1 06 World Cup Standing: 5th 603 Points Past World Champs: Other Results: 4th 2006 Oceania Champs
Sic Mick – New bike for the year, and straight off he wins the first World Cup in Vigo, Spain. Mick’s been on the circuit for a few years now, and has what it takes to pull out a big result. He loves the Vegas track, seeding first on it at the Oceania’s and finished 4th in his race run. He seems settled on his current team, which may lead to a good result at the end of August.
Name : Nathan Rennie Country: Australia D.O.B 31/05/81 - 26 Height: 6’3” Weight: 95kg
Team: Santa Cruz Syndicate 06 Results: World Cup- 2nd Vigo, 4th Willengen, Australian National Champion World Cup Wins:
06 World Cup Standing: 6th 599 Points Past World Champs: 1999 Junior Champ Other Results: World Cup Overall – 1st 2003,3rd 2004, 3rd 2005
Can’t believe he is only 26. Nathan has been around a while now. He won on NZ soil back in the late 90’s winning the Junior Oceania class and cleaning up most the open Guys. Nathan must have some of the biggest nads out there, jumping 121 ft in a tow in from a motorbike. Heaps of power, riding a course close to home – could be his day. Win or not he will be out there doing it.
Name: Cedric Gracia Country: France D.O.B Height: Weight:
Team: Commencal/Oakley 06 Results: 2nd Fort William, World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 7th 589 Points Past World Champs: 3rd 1997, 4x 2nd 2002, 2nd 2001 Other Results: World Cup Series- 2nd 2003& 2002 3rd 1998, 3rd 1998, Oceania Champs 2006 – 1st 4x, 3rd DH
Cedric has been around as long as Peaty. Cedric would have to be one of the most rounded riders in the World. He has been up there in DH since the late 90’s. Not too many are faster than him at 4x. And he smokes at the rampage events. Good results at the Oceania’s (racing and afterwards). Cedric was a crowd favourite in NZ earlier in the year. If he doesn’t get a result on th track, he will most certainly get a result with the ladies - Cedric is Porn.
Name: Marc Beaumont Country: U.K. D.O.B Height: Weight:
Team: MBUK 06 Results: World Cup- Vigo 4th, Mont Sainte-Anne 4th, Brazil 5th , European Champs 2nd World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 8th 586 Points Past World Champs: Other Results: British National Champs 1st
Marc is a big mover this year. I don’t know where he has come from, but his results this year speak for themselves. 3 World Cup Podiums, 2nd at The Euros and recently crowned British National Champ. Something is definitely up with the Brits this year.
Name: Matti Lehikoinen Country: Finland D.O.B: 19/04/84 Height: 182cm Weight: 70kg
Team: Honda G-Cross 06 Results: World Cups-5th Mont-Sainte-Anne, 1st Brazil, Norbas – 3rd and 4th World Cup Wins: 1 06 World Cup Standing: 9th 559 points Past World Champs: 2005 20th
Matti’s been a mid-packer in the past. But this year he is on the pipe. The Finnish Pinner is coming into the money part of the season on a high. He won the last World Cup in Brazil and had solid results throughout the season. Matti has been on the podium regularly in World Cups and Norbas this season, maybe he will do it again in Vegas.
PHOTO CREDIT: Gary Perkin // www.flipper.co.za
Name: Chris Kovarik Country: Australia D.O.B 03/01/78 Height: Weight:
Team: MS-Intense Factory Racing 06 Results: World Cups- Willengen 5th, Mont-Sainte-Anne 1st World Cup Wins: 2 06 World Cup Standing: 10th 543 Points Past World Champs: 3rd 2002 Austria Other Results: World Cup Overall- 3rd 2002, 2002 Fort William 1st (by 14 seconds)
Chris is power. Check out his forearms on the cover of Dirt Vol 2, No 21. He had some horrific injuryon his moto and missed the whole of the 2004 season. He is so fully tapped out when he rides. In 2002 at the World Cup in Fort William he won by an unbelievable margin of 14 seconds. He is one of the many Aussie riders who will be a threat for the title.
PHOTO CREDIT: Team MS-Intense Factory Racing
Name: Julien Camellini Country: France D.O.B Height: Weight:
Team: 06 Results: World Cup – 9th Brazil, 10th Mont-Sainte-Anne, 13th Willengen, 17th Fort William, 13th Vigo World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 11th 339 Points
Past World Champs:
Other Results:
Website:
Julien is French. If anyone knows any details about Julien, please let me know.
Name: Fabien Barel Country: France D.O.B
Height: 182cm Weight: 82kg
Team: Kona Les Gets 06 Results: World Cups-7th Willengen & Fort William, 14th Vigo, 3rd Euro Champ World Cup Wins: a few 06 World Cup Standing: 12th 324 points Past World Champs: 2x World Champion 04&05, 3rd 2003 Other Results:
Fabien’s just come back from injury. He has missed the last 2World Cups through injury.His first race back was the European Champs in Italy where he scored 3rd. Can he do the 3peat. He knows the Worlds track having won the Oceania Champs race earlier this year beating some stiff competition, which included Hill, Hannah, Gracia and some very fast locals. He knows how to race the big ones. Will he add 06 to his titles.
Unfortunately Fabian will most likely not be competing at the worlds this August having just injured himself - See the news section for more info
Name: Andrew Neethling Country: South Africa D.O.B 5/08/84 - 22 Height: 185cm Weight: 70kg
Team: Mongoose Factory Racing 06 Results: 4 top 20 World cup finishes (10th in Brazil) World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 13th 306 Points Past World Champs Other Results: 5th and 6th at Norba races this year.
Andrew seems to be getting some consistent good results this year. 2nd fastest South African on the Circuit. After a few years racing he seems to be cracking the top 20 in World Cups regularly. Watch out for him in the future.
Team: Gravity Group 06 Results:World Cups- 8th Willengen, 13th Brazil & Mont-Sainte-Anne, 14th Fort William World Cup Wins:
06 World Cup Standing: 14th 303 Points Past World Champs: 2001 5th Other Results: European DH Champ 2001
Even though his site is in Slovakian, its definitely worth checking out for the nude chicks at the start. Filip has been consistent this year. He has had some good results in Red Bull events. He must be a crazy cat as he also set the world Speed record on a snowscoot in 2004 – 134.5 kmph. Cant wait to see him in Vegas.
Team: QBikes 06 Results: World Cups- 9th Vigo, 10th Fort William, 14th Brazil, 19th Willengen World Cup Wins: 2 06 World Cup Standing: 15th 302 Points Past World Champs: 2nd 2003, ,3rd 2000, 2nd 1999, 3rd 1998,97 Junior World Champion Other Results: 3rd 2002,2003 World Cup Overall
Although Mickael is only 26 it seems he has been around for longer than almost anyone on the circuit. He must have more podium finishes than almost anyone. He is a real exciting rider to watch, always looking loose but in control. Can he recapture the form of the past and get on the podium.
Name: Jared Graves Country: Australia D.O.B: Height: Weight:
Team: Yeti 06 Results: World Cup – 4 x top 20 Finishes DH, 4x sitting 2nd overall (1 win) World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 16th 257 Points Past World Champs Other Results: 3 top 10 Norba results.
Jared is a real all round rider. He is well up there in the 4 cross and can through down a fast run in the downhill. He will be a busy boy at the Worlds.
Name: Bryn Atkinson Country: Australia D.O.B:9/12/82 - 23 Height:
Weight:
Team: G.T. 06 Results: World Cups – 7th Brazil, 10th Willengen, 12th Fort William World Cup Wins:
06 World Cup Standing: 17th 248 Past World Champs: 7th 2005
Other Results: 2 top 10 Norba finishes in 06
Bryn is a very stylie rider. Hes good at racing and has some real bike handling skills. He can jump with the best of them. He’s a favourite with the movie makers featuring in al the top DVD’s lately. Loved his cutties in the pits in Earthed 3.
Team: Animal/Giant 06 Results: World Cups – 18th Brazil, 18th Willengen, 16th Fort William, 21st Vigo World Cup Wins:
06 World Cup Standing: 18th 217 Points Past World Champs
Other Results: 2nd Willengen World Cup 05
Dan’s raced both 4x and DH now for a few seasons. Top 20 in both disciplines shows he is a skilled rider. It must suck a bit though being beaten by your younger bro. Had a great result last year when he was 2nd at Willengen, will he find that that sort form in NZ?
Name: David Vazquez Country: Spain D.O.B: 10/02/79 - 27 Height: 169 cm Weight: 69kg
Team: MSC Maxxis 06 Results: World Cups- 17th Willengen, 13th Fort William, 11th Vigo World Cup Wins: 4 06 World Cup Standing: 19th 195 Points Past World Champs: 4th 1999, 2nd Juniors 1997 Other Results: World Cup 2nd Overall 1998 & 3rd Overall 2000
In1998 and 2000 David was pushing the Undisputed King of DH, Nicolas Voulloz, for the World Cup overall title. His form over the last few years hasn’t been where he would want it. Hasn’t had a World Cup podium for a while. He has won Maxxis Cups this year, so maybe he is getting back on the pace for the big one.
Team: Honda/Iron Horse 06 Results: Norba National Champ including 4 top 10 finishes. World Cup Wins:
06 World Cup Standing: 20th 168 Points Past World Champs:
Other Results:
He’s the fastest American at the moment, having just won the Norba National title (US Riders only) . What are they doing in the USA. They used to have some fast riders a long time ago. Duncan needs more competition. He should race the NZ circuit over his off-season. Might be a bit beyond him at present to get a podium at the Worlds – but wait a few years and he probably will be there.
Team: Kona Les Gets 06 Results: World Cups- 1st Vigo/Fort William/ Willengen,2nd Mont-Sainte-Anne, 3rd Brazil. World Cup Wins: 8 06 World Cup Standing: 1st 1093 Points Past World Champs:6th 2005, 4th 2003/2002, 2nd Junior 1997 Other Results: World Cup Overall –2nd 2005, 3rd 2002/2003. British National Champ
Tracy’s already raced the Worlds track earlier this year at the Oceania champs where she came 3rd. Se has completely dominated the World Cups this year with 3 wins and her worst placing being 3rd. She is destined to win the overall in the World Cup. The question is will she take the double for the year. Don’t bet against her, she knows New Zealand well.
Name: Sabrina Jonnier Country: France D.O.B: Height: Weight:
Team: Monster Energy/ Iron Horse/Madcatz 06 Results: World Cups- 1st Mont-Sainte-Anne, 2nd Vigo/Willengen/Brazil, 3rd Fort William World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 2nd 980 Points Past World Champs: 2nd 2005/2003 Other Results: World Cup Overall- 1st 2005/2003, 2nd 2004/2002, 3rd 2001
Sabrina has been winning races for a while now. Not onlyfast on a DH bike, Jonnier is no slouch when it comes to 4x. 3rd back in 2000, at the World champs, she has also won the 4x World cup overall back in 2004. Sabrina was also in Vegas earlier this year for the Oceania’s placing 2nd.
Team: Team Animal/Giant 06 Results: World Cup- 1st Brazil, 2nd Fort William, 3rd Willengen, 4th Mt-Sainte-Anne, 5th Vigo World Cup Wins:1 06 World Cup Standing: 3rd 870 Points Past World Champs: 2005 Junior World Champ, 2004 Junior Runner Up Other Results: 06 European Champ, o6 2nd British National Champs, 3rd Overall 2005 World Cup
Rachel has stepped it up big time over the last couple of seasons. Junior World Champ in 05., Currently sitting 3rd in the World Cup overall standings . Coming to the business end of the season she seems to be on the gas at the right time, having won the latest World Cup and then backing it up a week later with a win in the European Champs. Will she go from Junior World Champ straight to Senior Champ?
Name: Emmeline Ragot Country: France D.O.B: Height: Weight:
Team: Q Bikes 06 Results: World Cup- 3rd Vigo, 4th Willengen, 5th Mt-Sainte-Anne/Brazil World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 4th 697 Points Past World Champs: 3rd 2005, Junior World Champ 2002/2003 Other Results:
A previous 2x Junior World Champ, Emmeline has had a good year with 3 world cup podiums. Will she bring home another World champs for France?
Name: Celine Gros Country: France D.O.B: Height: Weight:
Team: 06 Results: World Cup- 4th Vigo, 5th Fort William World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 5th 543 Points Past World Champs: 3rd 2004, 9th 2005 Other Results: World Cup overall 1st 2004, Website:
With 2 top 5 World Cup results, and a 3rd at the World Champs back in 04, Celine could also do it for the French. She could be an outside chance for the podium.
Name: Helen Gaskell Country: U.K. D.O.B
Height:
Weight:
Team: 06 Results: World Cup- 4th Fort William/Brazil World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing:6th 532 Points Past World Champs: Other Results: 3rd 06 British National Champs, 3rd 06 Euro Champs
Website:
Another one who could pull off a big result. Not sure if Helen is up for the win, but she does have a good chance of getting on the podium.
Team: 06 Results: World Cup – 8th Vigo, 6th Mt-Sainte-Anne/Brazil World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 8th 487 Points Past World Champs: Other Results:
Website:
Good to see some South American blood in the field. I think she races boys at home.
Team: Bike Park.CH Tui 06 Results: World Cup- 3rd Mt-Sainte-Anne World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 7th 525 Points Past World Champs: 2nd 1997 Other Results: 2nd 06 Euro Champs, 3rd 2004 World Cup Overall,
Team: Norco 06 Results: World Cup- 5th Willengen World Cup Wins: 2 06 World Cup Standing: 9th 414 Points Past World Champs: 2nd 2001/2002 Other Results: World Cup overall 2nd 2003
Fionn was on it going back a few years. 2 World cup wins, 2nd in the 01 & 02 World Champs. Her results this year haven’t been that hot with only 1 top 5 World Cup
Team: Santa Cruz 06 Results: World Cups- 9th Vigo/Brazil, 10th Fort William World Cup Wins: 06 World Cup Standing: 10th 397 Points Past World Champs: 2nd 2004, Junior Champ 2001 Other Results: 6x National Champ, 2 x World Trials Champ, 5x Asian Champ, 3rd WC Overall 4x 03
Website:
2nd in 04 behind Vanessa. Was it a one off or can she pull another one out of the bag this year. Mio is very skilled rider. Having won 2 Trials World Champs she has crossed over to 4x and DH with some success. Outside chance to make the podium.
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