2003 UCI World Cups #1 & 2

Fort William, Scotland & Alpe d'Huez, France

The UCI held its opening rounds of the 2003 World Cup season over the past 2 weeks in Europe. Week 1 in Fort William, Scotland and week 2 in Alpe d'Huez, France. 2 completely different countries, races, and courses.
Week 1 was by far one of the best world cups in the past few years, with enormous crowds, a great course, and perfect weather. Week 2 had probably the worst 4x course ever, boycotting crowds, and pouring rain. Either way, the Pros must race, and race they did. Wade Bootes, just 3 weeks after surgery to mend a broken collar bone, was on course, and looking great for a rider who should have still been home in bed. Dale Holmes also looked well on the course, after a great 1st half of the US BMX season. Both riders looked to strike early on in the UCI series. Here is how both did:

Wade Bootes should not have been on his bike by all conventional wisdom, as just 3 weeks before the 1st world cup, he has in surgery, to mend a shattered collar bone, sustained on the velodrome. Wade, after intensive rehabilitation and a great mind set, was able to compete at the first 2 world cup events, still not 100%, but more importantly, gaining valuable points towards the overall standings. Week one, a 7th was quite impressive on a short, BMX skilled, course. Fast speeds and contact held Wade back, but still impressive. Week 2, 9th was the best Wade could do in the Mud and rain, but once again, impressive. Wade fly's back to the USA next week, to hit round 2 of the Norba series in West Virginia.
Wade sponsors include Trek/Volkswagen, Azonic, O' Neal, Oakley, IRC, AC Components, ATI, THE, ToolShed, Powerbar, Bombshell, WadeBootes.com, and BMXpros.com

Dale Holmes was looking to repeat his great performance in Scotland from last season. Week one was good for Dale, as he easily moved through the qualifiers winning all the events he was in. In the 1/4 finial round, Dale was once again in the lead, but he clipped out of his SPD just before a drop off and that was the end of his night. Week 2, as describe by Dale, was his worst MTB race experience of his life, as the worst course ever built by the UCI got even worse and the rain poured upon it. Dale decided rather than risk injury, he would just ride off on to the side lines and watch the event for the night. Dale wont let this bad experience hold him back though, as he will be back on the MTB course in 2 weeks in Mt Snow Vermont, for possibly the best race on the Norba circuit. Dales sponsors include Free Agent, KHS, O'Neal, Kenda, Smith, Bombshell, Powerbar, DALEHOLMES.COM, UGP, Sun Ringle, Profile, BMXpros.com, and ODI.