We had a tête-à-tête with the "first and last name in mountain biking," also known as "dad," Gary Fisher. He has a plan to revitalize mountain bike racing and is advocating a three-week stage race around the U.S. to replace the current championship series. Teams, drafting, pavement and dirt would all mix to attract and focus attention on the sport we love. Fisher's always been a big thinker, which we like.

Barbara Blatter (SUI, Specialized) suffered a bad crash at the start of the women's race. "I don't know what happened," she told us immediately after she went down in the parade loop and had to be attended to by doctors. "Someone must have hit me from behind and make me crash." Blatter had been having problems with her rear derailleur before the race and wasn't quite clicked into her pedals as the race started, sending her to mid-pack when the crash occurred. She was said to be resting well on Sunday.

Too many DNF's in this weekend's race. What's the deal? XC riders are such weight-weenies that they'd rather lose a race than carry another spare tube, slime in the tire or other essential tools. Those with flats and mechanicals included Annabella Stropparo (ITA, Be-One), Jimena Florit (ARG, RLX Polo Sport), Regina Marunde (GER, Focus), Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR, Merida International), Marie-Helene Premont (CAN), Roel Paulissen (BEL, Rainer-Wurz), Jose Hermida (ESP, Motorex-Bianchi) and other riders we may have missed.

If Annabella Stropparo had immediately fixed her rear flat with a tube when she flatted instead of crying, she would most likely have finished 2nd or 3rd.

Spotted: Spare chain links taped to the handlebars of Volvo-Cannondale riders Kashi Leuchs (NZL) and Christoph Sauser (SUI), one week after a broken chain forced Sauser to abandon.

"I had blood spurting from my knee." -Chris Sheppard (CAN, Haro/Lee Dungarees), describing his crash last week where his chainring penetrated his leg.

"Shhh. We already have." -Unidentified team manager after we suggested someone make a CO² cartridge or air quick-fill that contained slime or sealant for quick on-the-trail race repairs.

Is That Legal? Marco Bui (ITA, Lanabau/Rainer-Wurz) was spotted track-standing before the start of the men's race. He got the holeshot and led the pack through the first lap.

At least three riders have been travelling around the circuit with hats packed in their bags. We've seen Meirhaeghe's Palmer-influenced S-Works crown, and know that Sauser travels with his Holstein cow-print top hat at the ready. But we also learned that Steve Peat (GBR, Orange England) has a crown of his own, which he almost wore after his MSA win.

The Sunday night World Cup party this week was held downtown and was a hip-hop disco theme with casino gambling. Attendees paid $20 to get in, and received $500 in World Cup play money to gamble. You could then buy swag with your winnings from a small store set up. We won an astounding $3,800 but, when we went shopping were shocked to find all the merchandise sold out.

At least we got to see 9th-place finisher Willow Koerber (USA, Cane Creek) dancing on a blackjack table during the party, tossing money around like a proper hip-hop video.

— Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Correspondent