Smith, Gatto claim Canadian DH titles

Steve Smith claimed the 2013 Canadian downhill mountain bike championships last weekend, during a break from the World Cup circuit. Smith is ranked second in the World Cup standings.

The racing took place at Panorama Mountain Resort, in Panorama, B.C. Smith raced following a decision that he would be able to race in the world cup with a national champion sleeve, rather than a full jersey – an important difference in a sport where sponsorship dollars and exposure pay for the racing.

“I am happy to have won this race. There was a lot of pressure on me today as everybody expected me to win, it was kind of tough. I haven’t been to this race in six years, and now that the rule has changed to a sleeve, we were all stoked to come out and still be able to support our sponsors,” said Smith, who races for Devinci.

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“I want to thank all my sponsors, and Cycling Canada for working to get the new sleeve rule approved. It’s been a good race here at Panorama, and a good time. It was such a good course and a good race.”

Kyle Sangers finished second overall, followed by Sidney Slotegraaf.

Smith’s junior teammate Mark Wallace who won his division ahead of Hugo Langevin and McKay Veznia.

Two-time World Championship medallist Micayla Gatto won the women’s race, facing stiff competition from Lauren Rosser and Miranda Miller, who finished second and third, repsectively.

“It was a good day, a good competition. The track was really challenging. The crew made some good improvements from previous years,” said Gatto. “All the top Canadian girls were here today. It was a very tight race, all the girls killed it.”

The Canadian cross country mountain bike championships take place this weekend, at Hardwood Hills, north of Barrie, Ont.