A perfect birthday for Moseley

By Rob Jones in Pietermaritzburg

Great Britain's Tracy Moseley (Trek World Team) took the women's downhill title at the opening round of the downhill UCI World Cup in South Africa last weekend, celebrating her 30th birthday in style. Moseley was clearly the rider to beat in the women's field after qualifying first.

"It was totally wicked," said Moseley. "It was tough up towards the top, really technical. I would've preferred the whole course to be like that, because I thought it would never end - none of us like pedalling, we're downhillers!

"The length took a bit out of me, but I knew I had to be flat out the whole way," she said. "It's the best 30th birthday present a girl could wish for."

France's Sabrina Jonnier (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) set the early fast time in the final of 4:28.61, the first rider to go under four and a half minutes. Her time stood up until the second from last rider came down, Emmeline Ragot (Suspension), also of France, who knocked two seconds from Jonnier's time to move into the Hot Seat.

However Ragot's time in the Hot Seat was brief, as Moseley was far faster at every time check, eventually winning by over six seconds.

See Cyclingnews' full coverage of the elite women's downhill at the UCI World Cup in South Africa.