Atherton crowned UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup champion with 12th win in a row

Atherton crowned UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup champion with 12th win in a row

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Rachel Atherton won her 12th successive UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Cup race to seal the 2016 series in Canada.

Danny Hart took his second ever world cup victory in the elite men’s event to repeat the British clean sweep from the previous round in Lenzerheide.

Atherton extends record

Trek Factory Racing’s Atherton was over 11 seconds faster than second place Hannah Tracey with a winning time of 4:37.488.

Britain’s Tahnee Seagrave was third but the day belonged to world champion Atherton who continued her imperious form.

Trek Factory Racing’s Atherton was over 11 seconds faster than second-placed Hannah Tracey with a winning time of 4:37.488.

Atherton, 29, has won all six rounds this year and victory next month in Vallnord will complete a clean sweep.

“It’s been such a stressful thing trying to keep it together all season,” Atherton said.

“From a rider’s point of view it’s harder to win that (world cup) than the world champs because you’ve got to be on it. I just wanted to have a good run, this track is so savage and I wanted to show it who was boss!”

Hart wins second world cup race

Danny Hart edged out Aaron Gwin by less than one second in an enthralling finish to the elite men’s contest.

Danny Hart edged out Aaron Gwin by less than one second in an enthralling finish to the elite men’s contest.

Fastest qualifier Gwin was last out of the start gate but could not better the 3:59.754 set by the 24-year-old Brit.

The win puts Hart second overall in the standings on 1008 points, 178 behind Gwin.

“It’s just unbelievable you know. I unclipped out of the start," Hart said.

"I know you can’t leave anything up there. I couldn’t do it without my team, my girlfriend Sophia, it’s just unreal.”