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Report: Halo British Downhill Series Round 2
Kovarik Invades, Gee Derailed, Rachel Does Double

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Report, Photography and Video By Andy Dunwoody

Australian downhiller and ball of muscle Chris Kovarik owned the second round of the Halo British Downhill Mountain Bike Series, destroying a revised Fort William track and showing his form just seven days before the first round of the World Cup. Round one winner and Series leader Gee Atherton finished eighth on a weekend where he was plagued by mechanicals in both qualification and race runs, whereas sister Rachel faired better  making it two from two in the Series.

Throughout the weekend weather stayed good on track with a scorcher on Saturday's practice and qualification, where a sellout field of 327 riders took to the famed Nevis Range run, which will host round two of the UCI Downhill World Cup in June.

Conditions and track revisions made for a five minute descent that according to riders flowed better than in previous years, with the tireless trail builders working on sections of the track throughout Saturday evening to ensure it was in prime condition for Sunday's finals.

Some brief showers kept ground conditions hard, preventing slippery marbelled gravel for which the Fort has been famed for in recent years.

On a track that demands such physical fitness, it was perhaps no surprise that Kovarik was the fastest rider down - although those who saw his less than focussed attitude to the British Series event at Ae Forest last year had their rights to be sceptical - only to find a renewed Kovarik on a track which has little in common with those in the borders. Double the length, twice as fast and high on physical and mental resource, Fort William is revered for a reason.

Flying from under the Tissot arch in his final run, Kovarik's dedication to the race run was unquestionable, only leaving spectators wondering what difference a derailed chain would have made to Gee Atherton's bid to retain the Series overall.

That title at least remains in the family, as brother Dan took his second successive runners-up spot and with it the overall lead, with Rachel securing the women's overall with a sixteen second advantage over visiting Clair Buchar.

Some thirty seconds back on the leading pair were the trio of Jess Stone, Helen Gaskell and Emily Horridge, all finishing within three seconds to wrap up the top five, while in the men's race there was a similar battle.

Ben Reid the man taking the final box spot, 0.6seconds ahead of Matti Lehikoinen who edged Matt Simmonds into fifth.

All riders - except Dan Stanbridge who dislocated his shoulder in qualification - now decamp from the Highlands to Maribor, Slovenia and round one of the World Cup, which you'll be able to watch live this weekend on British Cycling via Freecaster.

Full result and video to follow.

Result:

Elite Men

1. Chris Kovarik 5.02
2. Dan Atherton 5.05
3. Ben Reid 5.07.115
4. Matti Lehikoinen 5.07.789
5. Matt Simmonds 5.08
8. Gee Atherton

Elite Women
1. Rachel Atherton 5.44
2. Claire Buchar 6.00
3. Jess Stone 6.28
4. Helen Gaskell 6.29
5. Emily Horridge 6.31