Round 1 of the 2000 UCI Dual world cup season kicked off this past weekend in the south of France. With a record number of entrants for the men's dual, 73 total, and a very fast and steep course, the riders would be tested to their maximum. Wade Bootes is having a phenomenal 2000 race season, with 7 AA pro wins in BMX, and a win at the Sea Otter Dual Slalom, and was looking to carry over his success to his first full season of World Cup racing. As practice went off on Friday, Wade along with Cedric Garcia and Brian Lopes, both of the Volvo/Cannondale squad looked to be the fastest riders of the bunch. As qualifying finished off, these 3 riders were among the top guys, as it went Mickael Deldycke-Taillefer racing1st, Lopes 2nd, Bootes 3rd and Gracia 4th. In Dual racing, it differs from Dual slalom, as it is just one lap down, and the winner advances. As the bracketed rounds dissipated, Bootes looked unstoppable, with 3 wins, bringing him to meet up with Lopes in the round of 4. As the gate slammed down for the much anticipated match up, Bootes grabbed the holeshot on his first 2 pedals, but on the 3rd pedal downstroke, generated too much power for the chain to take, and it snapped, sending him over the handle bars, and into the consolation round for 3rd and 4th place. Slightly bruised, Bootes shook off the pain of his earlier crash and loaded up in the gate, facing the day' fastest qualifier. Wade was slightly edged out in the first turn, and went for a pass 3/4 of the way into the course, and crashed in the process, giving him 4th for the day. Wade travels to Cortina, Italy next week for round 2 of the UCI series, and looks to better his finish. Brian Lopes went on to win the event.

Wade Bootes sponsors include Trek/VW, Vans, Azonic, ATI, Oakley, THE, CTI 2, Rock Shox, PowerBar, Shimano, IRC, JBL, Velo, De Marchi, NW, DT Swiss, Nike, Rolf, D Feet, King, Icon, Wrench Force, Hayes, Power~Tap, King Cage, Innovations in Cycling.

UCI World Cup Round #1 Les Gets, France
1st-Brian Lopes-Volvo/Cannondale-USA
2nd-Cedric Gracis-Volvo/Cannondale-France
3rd-Mickael Deldycke-Tallefer-France
4th-Wade Bootes-Trek/VW-Australia

Double Marketing proudly represents Matt Hadan, Robert MacPherson, Jamie Staff, Randy Stumpfhauser, Christophe Leveque, Wade Bootes, Jason Richardson, Thomas Allier, Jason Donnell, Greg Romero, Darrin Mitchell, John Parker, and Warwick Stevenson. For more information please visit Double A Marketing.com or e mail @ pdylewski@doubleamarketing.com.