Its that time of year again when British Cycling have to make the tough choice on selecting who will represent Great Britain at the Downhill World Championships. This year the much loved Hafjell Bike Park in Norway will host the 2014 World Champs. Last year saw Greg Minnar and Rachel Atherton crowned World Champions in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
The British Team is always packed full of talent and it is a massive honour to be picked to compete. The Elite list will represent GB in Hafjell, Norway in September at the 2014 World Championships.
Men’s Team
Josh Bryceland
Gee Atherton
Danny Hart
Sam Dale
Matt Simmonds
Greg Williamson
Steve Peat
Josh Bryceland has had a fantastic start to the season and has claimed his first ever World Cup win in Leogang. Along with two 2nd places the Ratboy is having his best year yet.
Gee Atherton is always up there, with one World Cup win to his name, this year the GT Factory Racing rider can never be ruled out of the World title.
Danny Hart’s legendary World Champs win in Champery back in 2011 proved the youngster had the skills and ahem balls to really go for gold. The past few seasons have been good for Danny claiming multiple World Cup podiums and National wins, the Redcar Rocket is still looking for that illusive first World Cup win.
Sam Dale has had a great past few years, the Madison Saracen Factory Team rider has been creeping up the ranks securing loads of top ten finishes on the World Cup circuit and showing he has what it takes to become the worlds fastest. Matt Simmonds comes off a 5th place finish at last years Worlds, Simmonds was the fastest Brit of the day putting down a an impressive run. Greg Williamson has been fighting the past few seasons with injury but when the young Scot is on form he can really put down the pace and lay down some fast results.
Last but not least the legend; Steve Peat. This will be Peaty’s 21st year on the GB team and will be able to show once again why the 40 year old beast is still one of the worlds fastest.
Women’s Team
Rachel Atherton
Manon Carpenter
Tahnee Seagrave
Rachel Atherton hasn’t had the best of seasons so far; plagued with injury she has only won one World Cup out of five. It’s fellow Brit Manon Carpenter who has been on dominant form, capitalising on Atherton’s misfortune to claim three out of five wins, and well on her way to the overall title.
First year stepping up to the Elite Women’s field Tahnee Seagrave won the junior title last year showing her fitness and strength on one of the most physically demanding tracks in the world. The young FMD Racing rider has bagged her first few World Cup podiums this year and looks to be going well.
Junior Men’s Team
Taylor Vernon
Laurie Greenland
Drew Carters
Neil Stewart
The Junior men category is exploding with talent, it’s a shame only four riders get to go because there are so many up and coming youngsters who have the capabilities to win the World title.
Taylor Vernon has had a roller coaster 14 Months, breaking his back last year at Crankworx Europe the GT Factory Racing rider missed out last years race, but this year has made an outstanding recovery and return to form. His speed is there and he looks faster than ever. Can the young Welsh rider go out of the junior ranks with a bang and win the World title?
Laurie Greenland has been on unbelievable form this year, the first year junior rider is showing why Trek World Racing were so quick to sign him on to the elite team. The Junior National Champion has been getting faster and faster every race and is really one to look out for in a few months time.
Drew Carters is also having a really good year, the MTB Cut rider has been claiming National podiums and proving himself on the World Cup circuit. Neil Stewart rounds off the Junior team, the first year junior has had a fantastic start to his elite career picking up Junior World Cup and National podiums, a team mate with Tahnee on the FMD Racing program, can the Young Scot really make a name for himself?