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Absalon and Kalentyeva Score Again by Sandra Walter |  July 3, 2007 (St-Felicien, Que.) – It wasn’t the best Canada Day for several of the country’s top XC mountain bikers on Sunday, July 1, at the Nissan UCI World Cup MTB XC #5 in St-Felicien, Que about 4.5 hours north of Quebec City. The big exception was the belle province’s darling, Marie-Hélène Prémont (Can) Rocky Mountain-Haywood, who logged the fastest women’s lap of the day, ripping up the singletrack-rich 6.3-kilometres in a time of 23:03. Prémont finished second in the 33.6-kilometre race, only one minute behind the winner and World Cup MTB leader Irina Kalentyeva (Rus) Topeak-Ergon. Prémont now holds second spot in the overall ranking with only one event left.
In the men’s race, the top finisher was Seamus McGrath (Can) Rocky Mountain-Haywood in 18th place. He was tailed closely by National Champ Geoff Kabush (Can) Maxxis, who finished 20th – a little disappointing for Kabush as he rode onto the podium last weekend in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que. winning the bronze medal. France’s Julien Absalon (Fra) Orbea won the St-Felicien race, taking over the lead from Jose Antonio Hermida (Esp) Multivan-Merida when the Spaniard broke his chain, making it his fourth consecutive World Cup win. Absalon has a death grip on the series lead and will look to take the World Cup trophy home after the final event in Maribor, Slovenia September 15.
Meanwhile, the fight for third was an epic battle between Willow Koerber (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher, Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Women’s Team and Sabine Spitz (Ger) Ghost International Racing, with Spitz coming out on top. Koerber and Gould finished fourth and fifth, respectively, making it two Americans on the podium.
Many spectators ran for cover when it began to pour at 2:00 p.m. EST just in time for the start of the six-lap men’s race. It was very much a battle of two riders – Absalon vs. Hermida. Both were evenly matched and it looked like it would come down to a sprint finish until Hermida broke his chain. Hermida was forced to seek technical help, losing him precious time and a few spots, which he regained again. He would eventually finish second, 1:18 back from the leader. Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) Cannondale-Vredestein rounded out the top three.
Results
Elite Women
1. Irina Kalentyeva (Rus) Topeak 2:02:02
2. Marie-Hélène Prémont (Can) Rocky Mountain-Haywood 1:00
3. Sabine Spitz (Ger) Ghost International Racing 3:15
4. Willow Koerber (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher 3:24
5. Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Women's MTB Team 3:33
6. Ren Chengyuan* (Chn) China 4:42
7. Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Women's MTB Team 5:49
8. Lene Byberg (Nor) Specialized 6:15
9. Mary McConneloug (USA) Kenda Seven 6:45
10. Cécile Rode Ravanel (Fra) Team Lapierre International 7 :19 
Elite Men
1. Julien Absalon (Fra) Orbea 2:07:56
2. José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Esp) Multivan/Merida Biking Team 1:18
3. Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) Cannondale-Vredestein 1:55
4. Ralph Näf (Sui) Multivan/Merida Biking Team 2:50
5. Jakob Fuglsang* (Den) Cannondale-Vredestein 3:00
6. Nino Schurter* (Sui) Swisspower MTB Team 4:37
7. Balz Weber (Sui) Bikepark.Ch Tui 4:41
8. Wolfram Kurschat (Ger) MBC Bochum 4:53
9. Lado Fumic (Ger) Fumic.Brothers.International Course Map Course Profile | 
  Whether you're a beginner or an expert, downhills can be trouble. Even three-time downhill champion Brian Lopes admits (especially the ones with wet, slippery rocks and roots). All the same, Brian has learned how to ride down just about everything he finds_and do it at top speed. The MBA wrecking crew sat d own with Brian to try and raise our level of expertise. We think that Brian's tips can help you get down the toughest hills too.
HARDTAIL SETUP SECRETS
Some riders find descending difficult because of how their bikes are set up. Brian has some tips for adjusting a bike so it descends better. "I put on a shorter stem with more rise and upright bars. I also drop my seat and put on downhill tires. Downhill tires have heavier casings. They're thicker, so they have better pinch-flat resistance. I like the IRC Kujos. Heavier tubes help, too. Buy a thick, thorn-resistant tube," says Brian.
HOW MUCH FORK TRAVEL IS BEST
In the fork department, even on a hardtail, longer-travel forks make descending easier. He suggests about four inches of travel for a hardtail descender. "I have a Rock Shox Hydracoil on my slalom bike. I'm really happy with it. I haven't done anything to it, and it's really nice and plush."
As a general rule, though, Brian recommends setting your fork up stiffer for downhill riding than for cross-country. "You may not want the fork set up really soft. Set it up stiffer because you'll be hitting things at greater speed."
DRESS FOR THE CRASH, NOT THE RIDE
When he's practicing on his downhill race bike, Brian wears full-protective gear, including Dainese upper-body armor, a full-face helmet, and Fox knee and shin guards. Even on a fun ride, though, Brian wears knee and elbow pads along with his helmet and gloves. He's ridden long enough to know that no matter how good a rider gets, he still crashes. Brian strongly urges that you always ride with friends (a good safety measure) and keep a first-aid kit in your car.
STAYING OFF THE FRONT BRAKES
When you're faced with a steep descent, Brian says, "Put your seat low and get over the back of the bike. Your front brakes give you most of your stopping power, but stay off them in the steep parts. Slow down beforehand, if you can. If you get caught in a rain rut, stay off your front brakes and use your back brakes and ride it out."
SCRUBBING OFF CORNER SPEED
"Turns are another place where you have to be careful about using your front brakes. You'll learn from your mistakes about when you can and can't use your front brakes." As a general rule, Brian says, "If you're entering turns, stay away from the front brake unless you're slowing down fast on a safe surface; if you're on rocks or roots, you're asking for trouble."
PLAN AHEAD & LOOK AHEAD
When riding downhill, stopping distances are greater, so you need to see trouble spots earlier. "Look ahead," Brian advises. "Don't look directly in front of your wheel. If you're going really fast, look farther ahead, because stuff is coming up quickly."
STAND UP & FLOW
As a general rule, stand up on descents. Brian advises, "Stand up when riding a hardtail_unless you're on a gradual descent or a smooth turn_to get some weight over the rear wheel."
HOLD ON & PRAY
"People say, `Don't hold on too tight,' but I don't recommend holding on too loosely," says Brian. "If you hit a sudden bump, you don't want to lose control, so I'd recommend holding on pretty tight."
USE THE SEAT & YOUR LEGS
When you're standing, you can brace your legs against the seat to help control the bike. "Use pressure on the seat to balance and bring the rear end around," Brian suggests. "Learn to use the seat to get a better center of gravity and better traction from the wheels to the ground. I run a big seat, and that allows me to shift my body weight around more. It gives me a better range of balance."
DON'T ALWAYS USE THE BRAKES
When you find yourself coming fast into a section of loose dirt, Brian has familiar advice: "Stay off the front brake. Stay off both brakes if possible. Keep your weight off the front wheel and keep the wheel pointed as straight as possible." TO JUMP OR NOT TO JUMP
"Most of the time," Brian says, "try to keep your wheels on the ground, but there'll be times when it's faster to jump a set of rocks or roots."
WET STUFF
"Riding in wet conditions is the most difficult thing in mountain biking," Brian says. "It's the hardest to predict, and your balance has to be on. Over rocks and roots, you need to unweight your bike to minimize sliding. The biggest thing is learning when to use your brakes. You have to learn where to touch your front brakes and where to let off. It all depends on the terrain of the turns and how fast you're going. You have to learn that through experience."
Semi Final Results 1. Steve Peat (Santa Cruz Syndicate) 2. Sam Hill (Iron Horse/Monster Energy) 3. Greg Minnaar (Team G Cross Honda) 4. Fabien Barel (Kona Les Gets) 5. Matti Lehikoinen (Team G Cross Honda)
Final Results  -
Sam Hill (Iron Horse/Monster Energy) -
Greg Minnaar (Team G Cross Honda) -
Steve Peat (Santa Cruz Syndicate) -
Matti Lehikoinen (Team G Cross Honda) -
Fabien Barel (Kona Les Gets)
Gw tanggal 6 May 2007, lagi apes saat nyobain track freeride JPG. Tulang Clavicula kanan patah. Diagnosis: FRACTURE OF THE COLLAR BONE (FRACTURA CLAVICULA) Anatomy: The collar bone (clavicula) forms a joint with the breastbone and the shoulder blade's upper bone projection (acromion). Amongst other functions the collar bone acts as the anchor for many shoulder and chest muscles. Clavicula
SKELETON Cause: A fracture of the collar bone can occur in cases of a direct fall on the shoulder, or fall upon an outstretched arm; this is one of the most common fractures (5-10% of all fractures). The ligaments holding the collar bone in place may also rupture. Symptoms: Pain in the collar bone and upon movement of the shoulder joint. In cases of a fracture with displacement of the bone, a bump is often visible on the collar bone. Examination: Sudden, powerful pain in the shoulder with constriction of movement after a fall should always lead to acute medical examination. The fracture is usually visible on x-rays and on the basis of the type of fracture, the treatment can be determined. Treatment: Depending on the type of fracture, rest and possibly a sling may be employed until pains decrease after a couple of weeks. In some instances, a sling is chosen to fixate the fracture. In more complex fractures, and fractures with ruptured ligaments a surgical fixation of the fracture is most often chosen. In some cases it is an option to fixate certain fractures with a plate, which allows a faster return to sports, but the operation has a relatively high risk of complications (article). Rehabilitation: When the pain has diminished (after 2-3 weeks) physical fitness training in the form of running may be commenced, and retraining according to the guidelines under rehabilitation of children and adolescents in general. After 4-6 weeks careful muscle training of the shoulder muscles may be started. Participation in contact sports will be possible after a couple of months have elapsed. Complications: In the vast majority of the cases the fracture will heal without complications, although some suffer long-term discomfort, even if the fracture heals. Some fractures form a false joint (pseudoartrosis), which requires (renewed) surgery.
A quick reminder of the ever widening array of materials your MTB can now come in...  Steel Demand for high quality bike steel is increasing, with 'harder when welded' alloys like 853 leading the renaissance. Its resilience and repairability are also finding it new friends in the hardcore jump/DH arenas. Future development centres around further refinement of alloys and tubesets. Buy steel if: You like that classic 'spring heeled hardtail'. XC response. You regularly slam your aerial adventures. 
Aluminium The joy of aluminium is its low weight and that it's so easy to play with. Stretch it, squeeze it, cast it, forge it, or just sculpt it - it's the Plasticine of metals. Just don't leave it too thin or it'll snap without warning. Buy aluminium for: Sharp, crisp feel. High value and low weight. High price and ultra low weight. Awkward shaped suspension bikes, fat tubes, big box monocoques and novelty machined sections.  Carbon
Done right, carbon fibre is the lightest, strongest and most shock absorbent frame material. Early breaks marred its reputation, but three major brands are restoring faith at the moment. Easton with its handlebars and seatposts, Trek with their OCLV HC (HoneyComb) sandwich, and Scott's long, thick fibre HMF technology on their Strike bikes. Buy carbon if: You want ultra low weight. You don't mind the damped, slightly dull feel. You like that black, hand knitted look... and metal makes your hands cold
Titanium The hardest metal to work with, Ti rewards with reliable long term strength, light weight and corrosion resistance but at five times the price of an alu frame. Litespeed, Serotta, Merlin and Seven are slowly pushing the boundaries. Buy titanium for: Reliable 'sprung' feel. Low weight and high strength. No paint or rust worries. A bike for life
Other materials Magnesium: Potential for incredibly light weight and shock absorbing qualities. Initially came up short on guaranteed durability. We've got some test frames that are still going strong, though... Thermoplastic: While carbon fibre is essentially super tough fabric set in a resin glue, thermoplastics are formed by melting nylon around the fibres. More tricky to build and use than carbon fibre, it's as yet largely unadopted
 Canondale Super Raven Thermoplastic Mountainbike 1999
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