Back on the 8th Stage of the World Skate Cross Series in Lyon (France)

The whole weekend long (Sept. 21-22), Place Bellecour vibrated to the rhythm of the Lugdunum Contest. Amongst the scheduled competitions, there was the 8th stage of the WSX Series. Flashback on a lively competition...

Par alfathor
Publié le 24 septembre 2013 - Mis à jour le 3 novembre 2020 - 5962 Lectures - 0 commentaire(s)

A stage animated by the downhill skaters

More than 50 skaters took part in that stage of the World SkateCross Series on Place Bellecour. The Lugdunum has the advantage of gathering a great number of skaters from various disciplines. Thus, on the starting line of the skatecross competition, there were experts at aggressive, bowl, freestyle and even downhill skating. Several contestants of the Downhill Worlds made the trip to fight for the title, and at the same time, try their luck on the WSX circuit.

What is Skate Cross?

Skate Cross is a steeplechase unfolding in two parts: a qualification phase (the time trials) during which the competitors should achieve their best time, and a final phase organized in groups of 4 during which the qualified skaters should arrive first or second of their groups in order to go through the next round until the final.

The course: winding and technical

The 8^th stage of the WSX Series took place on a winding and technical course. First of all, it relied on huge BMX modules. The start launcher was almost 3 meters high, then you were directed toward a step followed by a sharp hairpin turn to the left, then came a chicane, a springboard, another sharp bend, a series of good-sized table tops and last but not least a quarter pipe topped with a wall in a hairpin turn, leading to the finish line.

Men’s results: the revenge of Harry Perna

The French perfectly managed to play their cards right and seized the whole podiums in both the men’s and women’s categories; local skater and multiple downhill world champion Harry Perna (FRA) won that 8^th stage of the WSXS. After having been penalized for a foul on the downhill competition, depriving him from the world title, Harry Perna took his revenge!

He finished in front of current world #2 Flavien Du Peloux (FRA). A newcomer on the Series, Jérémy Mélique (FRA) managed to rise to the final for his first participation. He ranked in front of Austrian Daniel Ladurner, a downhill expert.

Women’s results: dices are not cast!

In the Women’s, current world #2 Jessica Billard (FRA) managed to create a stir in beating the two favorites of the race, 2011 and 2012 world champion Marjorie Phlippoteau (FRA), and world #1 Mathilde Monneron (FRA). The skaters were victims of a collective fall in the first bend.

General ranking of the World SkateCross Series

Anthony Avella (FRA), 5^th in Lyon, takes the provisory first place of the WSX. The 2013 world title will be awarded for the final of the World SkateCross Series in Shanghai, on October 5 and 6.