We heard from Volvo-Cannondale staffers that Anne-Caroline Chausson was fined 5,000 Swiss Francs for failing to wear the black Tissot leader's jersey during her semi-final run. But, worse than that, she was reportedly fined 50 World Cup points as well.

Word was that for a while Sunday, Sabrina Jonnier was leading Chausson in the standings, but our calculations don't show her missing any points.

We had the unfortunate opportunity to see our first mountain biker brawl, when an unnamed Aussie downhiller got into it with a fellow racer at a bar late Sunday night. We hope we don't see that again and suggest certain race team members (like a certain pudgy mechanic) get their acts together and learn how to hold their booze.

"It's easier to ride my bike than walk." -Anne-Caroline Chausson, explaining her decision to race Sunday.

Cedric Gracia (FRA, Volvo-Cannondale) tells us that he and Steve Peat, Bas DeBever and Scott Sharples are close to buying a 3-bedroom condo in Whistler, Canada. You too can stay at their place and maybe even ride with them for a mere $450 a day. Sign us up!

Trivia Fact: The owner of the Global Racing Team (Mr. Morita) also owns Telluride Ski Company, which also owns the mountain village.

Steve Peat had some mojo on board with him during his final run Sunday. A small photo of his buddy Shaun Palmer was taped to his rear swingarm.

According to Troy Lee rep Kenny, the 'Palm wanted to come to T-ride and watch Peaty race, but couldn't make it.

We also heard from Kenny that Peat and Chris Kovarik (AUS, Intense Cycles) discussed a moratorium on skinsuits for aesthetics sake, like the agreement to wear visor peaks, but Peat balked, and Troy Lee set him up with his blue and black skinsuit this week, though worn only for the final run.

Would you believe that Tioga tire's sponsored riders only run about 20 lbs. of pressure in their tubeless tires?

Congrats to 4X newcomer and BMX honchette Jamie Lilly of Temecula, CA, for her 7th place finish Saturday evening in her first World Cup. We hope she sticks around the sport.

We had the opportunity to take Cannondale's newest FS bike, the Gemini, for a test ride down the mountain accompanied by mechanic Adrian. We're hoping to do a full test on the bike soon, but let us say that it's one impressive machine, with 5 inches of travel, a triple-crown Marzocchi fork and impressive handling. It's also the exact same frame that Cedric Gracia and Chausson race in the 4X.

Let's see: Nicolas Vouilloz (FRA, Vouilloz Racing Team) loses any hope of winning the World Cup due to an injured pinkie. Then Chris Kovarik puts his hopes in serious jeopardy with a broken thumb. What a way to lose a title.

Telluride is a charming little town, nestled in the Rockies, but beware that it's extremely expensive for those on a budget. No fast food, only one cheap hotel and a 15mph speed limit in town! The worst surprise though was our discovery that nary a hotel has air conditioning, and that the incorporated Mountain Village imposes a 20% "resort fee" on hotel bills - to pay for the "free" gondola and shuttle buses.

Trade Team Standing in DH:
1. Global Racing
2. Volvo-Cannondale
3. Maxxis-MSC
4. Be-One
5. Haro/Lee Dungarees

— Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Correspondent