ICONIC DOWNHILL AT FORT WILLIAM MOMENTS

2

Atherton Family Double Victory

There really is nothing quite like a home victory at Fort William.

1

Greg Minnaar Makes It Seven

Holding a Fort William Downhill career card that was first stamped in 2004, Greg Minnaar is a superstar at Nevis Range.

In 2007, the South African solidified his legend status in Fort William with a record seventh victory on the downhill track. It was a typical Minnaar downhill run - dogged, thrilling, and full of strength and power.

In 2013, the crowd got treated to not one, but two when the Atherton siblings claimed a stunning family double. Rachel Atherton, who is dubbed ‘The Queen of Downhill’, had settled for two 2nd place finishes in 2011 and 2012.

Then in 2013, she managed to finally take the victory in front of a jubilant crowd at Nevis Range. The day only got better when Rachel’s brother Gee claimed victory in the Men Elite Final.

Ruaridh Cunningham Conquers The Mountain

This won’t be the first time the rainbow jerseys will be handed out at Fort William.

In 2007, Nevis Range welcomed the world for the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships. Australia’s Sam Hill and France’s Sabrina Jonnier were the fastest down the mountain that year, leaving Fort William with the rainbow bands for the second time in their careers.

However, the highlight for the Nevis Range crowd was when Scotsman Ruaridh Cunningham took a stunning Mens Junior UCI World Championship win. The home crowd went ballistic as the young rider gave the Junior field a lesson on how to handle the magnificent mountain.

IMAGES: DOUGLAS COOK; DOWNHILL911; SWPIX

STEVE SMITH’S GHOST RUN

In 2016, the downhill world lost a beloved rider, Steve Smith. Nicknamed ‘Canadian Chainsaw’, Smith was a big personality on the UCI MTB World Cup circuit, and picked up the overall victory in 2013.

Popular with fans in Fort William, a call went out from the community to honour the rider with a ‘ghost - lap’ down Nevis Range. After the UCI and Red Bull got behind the project, on 5 July 2016, the crowd at Nevis Range fell silent as the cameras tracked an invisible Smith making his way down the mountain.

4 TAKE 5

When the cameras neared the bottom, the crowd erupted. It proved to be a memorable and fitting tribute to an incredible rider.

TRACY MOSELEY BECOMES FORT WILLIAM’S FIRST UK WINNER

The 2002 UCI MTB World Cup was the very first to take place at Fort William, bringing with it a festival atmosphere, and big expectations for multiple British National Champion Tracy Moseley.

3 5 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships 63