GREAT BRITAN SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND WOMEN’S TEAM TITLE
 Great
Britain Women’s team successfully defended their World
team title, and in doing so became the first Nation to record
back to back wins in the history of the Women’s cup.
The British trio of Maria Conway - Beta, Donna Fox - Sherco
and Rebecca Cook – Gas Gas held a seven mark lead over
their German rivals after the first lap and further extended
their advantage during the closing sections.
The German team, headed by newly crowned Women’s World
champion Iris Kramer - Scorpa put up a strong fight in an
attempt to reclaim the title they last held in 2005, but simply
had no answer to the might of the home girls who were never
headed throughout the entire day.
The battle for third place produced the fiercest competition
of the day, as France clawed their way back to eventually
over take the more fancied Spanish squad led by Women’s
multi World champion Laia Sanz – Repsol Montesa HRC.
The French team consisting of Claire Bertrand – Montesa,
Maryline Journet – Gas Gas and Sandrine Juffett dropped
just fourteen marks on their final lap, the second best lap
score of the trial, to finish four marks clear of Spain to
take last podium place.
Slightly drying weather created perfect conditions for a
trial that had the correct level of severity for this inter
country event. The majority of the sections could be found
on the coastal rock outcrops or in the nearby towns of Douglas
and Onchan.
A delighted Conway stated: “To win on home soil is
very special, as the support throughout the trial has been
incredible. We came here with a lot of pressure, as we were
expected to win, especially after yesterday’s results.
Out of the two victories this has been the most difficult,
as I think it was easier to win it when we were not favourites,
than to come here in front of our home fans and defend it.
Anyway it’s been worth it, as its going to be a big
party tonight.
Kramer spoke on behalf of the German team: “The sections
were more slippery today, but were just the right level. We
are happy to be second, as this is the best that we could
have expected. The British team was too strong for everyone,
and today they have showed the difference between them and
the other teams. However I would like to congratulate my team
mates as they have really made a great effort today, so with
this we can all be proud of both our performance and our result.”
Betrand was pleased to have to made it onto the podium with
her French team: “We struggled a little this morning
as the sections were very slippery. But on the second lap
we made a really good recovery. We knew that we were close
to Spain and this was a big motivation for us. Our second
lap was nearly perfect. Of course we are really happy to have
achieved third position, as it was good to step on to the
podium. This is a good reward for all the hard work that the
team has made.”
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