With the Worlds next month, the last few UK races have seen the new blood riders step it up and put in some solid performances.  The British team selected to head out to the European Champs in Italy last week was lacking in years, but was definitely up to the challenge.  Junior Brendan Fairclough dominated the field to take the win and title by 12 secs from 2nd place Brit Ralph Jones.  In Elite Women Team Animal rider Rachel Atherton added the European Champions Title to her growing list of accolades.  Helen Gaskill keeps up the UK presence on the podium in 3rd.  Fellow Animal rider Gee Atherton takes the Elite Mens title, with Marc Beaumont making the British one-two and sticking it to frog and reigning World Champ Fabien Barel in 3rd.  Dan Atherton pins it to 5th and Dave ‘Bullhead’ Wardell romps home in 8th.

The big man Steve Peat and Tracey Moseley both chose to miss the Italian Job, but the current World Cup series leaders will almost certainly be looking for Gold in Vegas.  Expect Marc B and Gee to be keeping Steve company for the British mens team and Rachel and Helen joining Tracey for the UK womens contingent.  In Juniors Brendan will likely be joined be either Ralph Jones or win-it-or-bin-it Scot Ben Cathro.  A course like Rotorua, will suit powerhouses Steve and Tracey, who will be looking to finally nail the elusive title.  The NZ winter is climatically pretty close to the UK summer, so expect all the UK riders to feel at home and show the local fast kids how its done.  You’ve been warned.

The National Champs took place this weekend with Marc Beaumont taking the honours in Elite Men - despite not qualifying!!??.  Elite Womens saw Moseley continuing her winning form and going for gold.  Brendan Fairclough rips it to first place in Junior Men.  Again.  The force is strong in this one…

The World Cup Venue Fort William took a nasty hit this week after one of the cable car gondolas came loose and slid back down the cable, crashing into another car and causing it to drop about 30ft to the ground.  The five occupants where thrown out during the fall and suffered serious head, chest and leg injuries.  At time of press four of the victims were still in hospital and said to be serious but stable.  The accident happened days after the 4th round of Scottish Downhill Series had taken place, with 350 riders using the gondola over the weekend.  Fortunately no-one was more seriously hurt, but the gondola will be closed for the duration of an official investigation.  This is being speculated to be anything from a couple of weeks to the rest of the summer season.  Bad news for the National Points Series Round that was due to be held here mid-August.  Its not like they don’t normally have uplift issues anyway….It’ll be all good for the World Champs in 07, honest.

Other shit – Byron Scott was seen assisting the British Colombian Fire Dept by dousing a household blaze last month.  His methods were described by an official as “unconventional and unnecessary”.  Air bandit Kelly McGarry is now a Whistler resident and is ripping on a new Cove he got hooked up with.  Whistler also finally laid rest to the legendary Mr Big – R.I.P.  News had also reached Canadian shores that former UK fast guy turned Queenstown hucker Paul Angus is officially under the thumb.  His former Mojo.co.uk team mates Chris Ball and Dan Stanbridge have been pulling some good results on prototype Oranges -expect to see more about these.  The Blair Christmas Euro-Beer tour is predicted to hit UK shores any day now.  Expect to hear the latest here, or on crimewatch.  Either way, it’ll be messy.  Keep it leopard skin,

PHOTO: MIKE HILL

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