UCI World Champs

SOUTH African rider Greg Minnaar prevented a British clean sweep of the downhill titles at this weekend's Nissan UCI Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup.

After plenty of hype and activity, Gee Atherton was finally squeezed out of the hot spot after Tracy Moseley had earlier claimed the women's title.

Thousands turned out to see the biggest names in downhill biking.

Biker after biker – including Scotland's Ben Cathro from nearby Oban – threatened to steal the prize, as three of the final four riders – Steve Peat, Gee Atherton and finally Minnaar – enjoyed time at the top of the leader board.

Another young Scot, Chris Hutchens, also put in a strong ride to place 17th, but there was disappointment for junior world champion Ruaridh Cunningham, who crashed, reportedly dislocating his knee. He finished in 52nd.

Earlier, there had been a thrilling conclusion to the women's race: a home victory courtesy of Moseley – her fourth in Fort William.

Rachel Atherton, the sister of male downhillers Gee and Dan, set the early pace. She raced in at 5mins, 26 secs. Read the build up reports about the Athertons.

Atherton, who won last week's World Cup in Andorra, had only qualified eleventh fastest.

To check out all the latest action, reports and gossip these are worth a look:

The UCI home website
There are a few good movie clips here
Bike Radar report on the latest action with a really good flavour of the event
The mainstream press did a nice local report too

Picture: Katy Curd sails above the dirt during the semi-final round of the Nissan UCI Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup. Britain’s Tracy Moseley won the event, five seconds ahead of her next-closest competitor Picture: Ian Rutherford