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Hannah, Vergier fastest qualifiers at Fort Bill

Finn Iles top Canadian qualifier in Scotland in seventh

The French are off to a fast start in Fort William, with Loris Vergier and Amaury Pierron setting the top times in qualifying on Saturday in Scotland. Tracey Hannah again set the fastest women’s time, as she did in round one in Slovenia.

Finn Iles was the top Canadian qualifier in Fort William in seventh.

RELATED: Full Canadian junior squad qualifies at Fort William World Cup

French start fast in Fort Bill

Last year, Amaury Pierron (Commencal Vallnord) started his domination of the World Cup season with a win in Fort William. This year, it is another French rider, Loris Vergier (Santa Cruz Syndicate) with the fastest time in qualifying. Pierron was second on Saturday, just 0.628 seconds behind his countryman. Troy Brosnan (Canyon Factory Racing) was the third fastest in qualifying, a full 4.5 second behind Vergier.

Loic Bruni (Specialized Gravity Racing), winner of the first World Cup round in Slovenia, makes it through to finals via his Protected status after qualifying 11th. Lucas Dean (Scott), Charlie Harrison (Trek Factory Racing) and Laurie Greenland (MS Mondraker)

Finn Iles Fort William 2018 World Cup downhill
Finn Iles racing 2018 Fort William World Cup downhill. Image: Nathan Hughes/ Red Bull Content Pool

Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity Racing) was the fastest North American qualifier on Saturday. The Whistler-based rider qualified seventh, with Mark Wallace (Canyon Facotry Racing) following a further four seconds back in 18th.

Kirk McDowall had a good day for Unior Devinci Factory Racing, qualifying for Sunday’s final in 46th. Henry Fitzgerald (Norco Factory Team) finished 51st to make it four Canadian elite men in Sunday’s finals. This year’s qualification rules see only the top 60 elite men qualify for finals, plus any protected riders.

RELATED: Canadians to watch at Fort William World Cup downhill

Hannah sets fastest time in Fort William

Like she did at the opening World Cup round in Slovenia, Australian Tracey Hannah (Polygon UR) set the fastest elite women’s time in Fort William. Hannah was 4.437 seconds ahead of France’s Marine Cabirou (Scott Downhill Factory Team) in second. Rachel Atherton (Atherton Bikes) was the fastest through the first split, but ended her run a full 10 seconds down in third.

RELATED: How to Watch: Fort William downhill World Cup

Whistler’s Georgia Astle was the top North American in the elite women’s field, in 17th. Astle was eighth through the first split but, like many other riders, lost ground between the first and second split times.

Tahnée Seagrave (Transition Muc-Off Racing) did not start Saturday’s qualifying round in Fort William after sustaining an injury on course on Friday.

Women’s Qualifying Results – Fort William World Cup

1) Tracey Hannah (Polygon UR) 5:18.182
2) Marine Cabirou (Scott Downhill Factory) 5:22.619
3) Rachel Atherton (Atherton Bikes) 5:28.825
4) Nina Hoffmann 5:35.307
5) Kate Weatherly 5:38.302

17) Georgia Astle 5:58.758

Men’s Qualifying Results – Fort William World Cup

1) Loris Vergier (Santa Cruz Syndicate) 4:34.305
2) Amaury Pierron (Commencal Vallnord) 4:34.933
3) Troy Brosnan (Canyon Factory Racing) 4:38.901

7) Finn Iles (Specialized Gravity Racing) 4:40.920
18) Mark Wallace (Canyon Factory Racing) 4:45.084
46) Kirk McDowall (Unior Devinci Factory Racing) 5:50.620
51) Henry Fitzgerald (Norco Factory Team) 4:51.699
71) Ben Wallace 4:55.986
80) Magnus Manson (Canyon Factory Racing) 4:58.846
89) Forrest Riesco (Commencal Canada) 5:00.698
109) Benjamin Despres Morin 5:10.728
116) Keegan Fry 5:17.459

Qualifying Results: Elite Men – 2019 World Cup DH #2 – Fort William, Scotland

Fwil Dhi Me Results Qr y by Matthew Pioro on Scribd

Qualifying Results: Elite Women – 2019 World Cup DH #2 – Fort William, Scotland

Fwil Dhi We Results Qr by Matthew Pioro on Scribd

Startlist: Elite Men – 2019 World Cup DH #2 – Fort William, Scotland

Fwil Dhi Me Startlist f by Matthew Pioro on Scribd

Startlist: Elite Women – 2019 World Cup DH #2 – Fort William, Scotland

Fwil Dhi We Startlist f by Matthew Pioro on Scribd