Rachel Atherton retained her downhill mountain bike world championship crown in Val di Sole, Italy, last weekend.
Atherton, from Llanrhaeadr, took to the dusty and steep course and capped a perfect season by clinching a fifth UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Championship title – having won every race in the World Cup series.
The 28-year-old crossed the line in 4:20.187, more than three seconds faster than silver medal winner Myriam Nicole from France, who finished in 4:23.301. Australian rider Tracey Hannah completed the women’s podium with a time of 4:29.64.
Atherton said: “I can’t believe it, I felt sure that Tracey would go faster than me, she’s been riding so well in the dust. I was so nervous, this track is totally wild and brutal, it was like a controlled fall all the way.
“I just want to thank everybody who has supported me and made this possible. I’m loving every moment right now.”
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