The World Cup weekend kicks off in style with the ever-popular 4X on the Saturday evening, setting the scene for another big weekend of gravity action. The 4X Pro Tour returns to Fort William (venue for the first ever 4X World Cup event back in 2002) with the second of 5 events in the 2013 series of hard-charging, head-to-head contests.
All 4X riders have the explosive energy needed to move ahead in sprints, fearless commitment in the jumps and a natural ability to choose a line that puts them in front of their competitors. There have been some similarities with BMX racing in the past, but courses are becoming rougher and more technically challenging to retain the mountain bike element. A particular favourite for the fans is the Rock Garden – a bedrock drop-off that has seen ome spectacular overtakes (and crashes) in previous years.
The British 4X challenge is led Katy Curd, ranked 3rd in the 2012 Pro Tour series (including a win in the Polish round) and Scott Beaumont ranked 5th overall.
For details of the 2013 4X pro Tour vist their website.
World Ranking, 2012
Men
1. Tomas Slavik (CZE)
2. Michal Prokop (CZE)
3. Joost Wichman (NED)
Women
1. Anneke Beerten (NED) www.annekebeerten.com
2. Celine Gros (FRA)
3. Katy Curd (GBR)
World Championships, 2012
Men
1. Roger Rinderknecht (SUI)
2. MichaelMechura (CZE)
3. Tomas Slavik (CZE)
Women
1. Anneke Beerten (NED) www.annekebeerten.com
2. Romana Labounkova (CZE)
3. Celine Gros (FRA)
