Byron Essert wins 1st Colombian World Cup

Byron Essert showed his qualifying form was no fluke by taking out his maiden World Cup win in spectacular fashion over Canadian Kevin Reimer in a tight final. Australian Rob McWhinnie who had been in solid form through the weekend took third for his first World Cup Podium ahead of Canadian Patrick Switzer who crashed out in an all or nothing attempt to reel in the leaders in the final.

The second day of the Festival de la Bajada in the new track in Sipate produced some seriously impressive qualifying times with a constant change in the top 10. Patrick Switzer (Canada) set a blistering pace early on with a 1:53.363 holding a 2.5 second lead over Australian Rob McWhinnie at 1:55.815 and the rest of the field before Byron Essert (USA) hit back in the second run with a 1:52.430 to declare his intentions early on.

Kevin Reimer leading @ Festival de la Bajada 2014

The next 2 runs produced some exciting changes on the leader board with riders perfecting better lines and railing corners that required huge drifts the day before. In excellent conditions during the final 2 runs Jimmy Riha (USA) moved into third with a 1:52.693 followed by Sebastian Hertler (Germany) at 1:53.248 and Kevim Reimer (Canada) at 1:53.375.

Rodrigo Zuzanaga @ Festival de la Bajada 2014

Peruvian Junior Rodrigo Zuzanaga produced when it mattered to dominate his side of the draw with an 8th placed Open Qualifying time of 1:54.502 giving him top spot in the Juniors and making a challenge all the way through to the Opens Semi-finals before finally comming third in the consi final. The young Peruvian is certainly a rider to watch and in a strong junior field showed his class all the way to the end by taking the Junior World Cup win in Sibate, Colombia over compatriots Luis Rabanal and Raphael Harada.

Marie Bougourd @ Festival de la Bajada 2014

In the Women's class Marie Bougourd (France) took the top spot in qualifying with a time of 2:03.678 and turned that into maximum World Cup points by taking the win over Melissa Brogni Da Luz (Brazil) with Paloma Acha Dorado of Spain edging out Maga McWhinnie (Peru) for third spot.