2002 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships
Four Cross Event - Kaprun, Austria August 31

The World Championships are regarded as one of the highest awards to earn in the Cycling community and 3 of the Double A Marketing riders were in attendance and each capable of earning such an award. The riders, 2000 UCI World Champion Wade Bootes, Thomas Allier and Dale Holmes all traveled to the beautiful country of Austria. This was the first World Championship event in the Mountain Bike Class for Thomas, While Dale had raced last years event in Vail, CO. This would mark the 3rd year for Bootes, and with a podium position in both previous events, he was looking to regain his world title.
European races always have a threat of rain, but the riders were greeted with sunny skies and warm weather conditions on Saturday, the race day for Four Cross. With enthusiastic and screaming crowds estimated at over 25,000, the riders took center stage and got ready to showcase their talents.

The Four Cross event, to many in attendance, was the showcase of the World Championships. With a course that could be completely witnessed from the bottom grandstand area, as well as the huge stadium sized TV monitors at the finish area. The riders would have a fair and technical course to navigate. While the course did not have the usual flow, it did give great challenge to the riders and would prove to showcase the talent of the top athletes. The race was held in the evening, and under the lights, the action opened up for some great racing.

Wade Bootes looked strong during practice and qualified 4th for the four cross finals. Wade rode strong all night long, winning all of his events up until the semi final. Wade would meet up with Brain Lopes, Rich Houseman, and Michael Prokop in the race. As the gate dropped, Wade powered his way into 2nd, behind Lopes but towards the end of the course, he clipped out of his pedal and lost some time. Prokop caught up to Wade, and as they battled it out to the line, Wade was just nipped, and would head off to the small final. In that race, Wade was hit by one of the riders and had to settle for 3rd in the race and 7th overall in the World Championship event. Wade's Sponsors include Trek, Volkswagen, O'Neal, Oakley, AC Components, Vans Shoes, Bombshell, IRC Tires, THE numberplates and Pads, ATI, Marwi Ti Spokes, Powerbar, Head Lock, Double A Marketing, Toolshed, BMXpros.com, WadeBootes.com, and Champion Nutrition.

Thomas Allier has impressed many this, his first season of Mountain bike racing, and he impressed even more with his 6th place qualifying time. Once the event started, Thomas was winning all the rounds of racing, up till his semi where he met up with Eric Carter, Brain Schmith and Cedric Gracia. Out of the gate, it looked as if Thomas was just behind Carter, but as he powered his way down the first strait, he chain snapped and threw him over the bars. This would take him out of the medal round and into the small final. Once again, as the gate dropped, Thomas had bike problems and crashed. He would finish up 8th overall at the World Championships. Thomas' sponsors include Giant, Troy Lee Designs, THE, Oakley, Sun Ringle, Marwi, Revenge/Champion Nutrition, WD-40, Lava Soap. Marazochi/Sinister Steering system, Hot Wheels, IRC, Shimano, Jan Sport, ACS, BMXpros.com, and Satellite Sports.

Dale Holmes has had a great season on the UCI World Cup tour, being in the top ten of the four cross class. Dale qualified in the 17th position, but looked to be one of the fastest riders one the course with his incredible starts, once the racing began. Dale won his first two rounds, but in the 1/4 final, Dale was crashed by another rider, ending his quest for a medal. Dale looks forward, along with Wade and Thomas, to next weeks World Cup finals in Les Gets, France. Dale's sponsors include O'Neal, Azonic, Tioga, Smith Eyewear, Atomic, Orange Bicycles, Shimano, Powerbar, Vans, UGP, Daleholmes.com, BMXpros.com