After three tests it is time to do an analysis of the xc Word Cup.
Let's start with the men's elite category:
The post-Olympic year is always a bit special; for some athletes there is a drop in tension in the winter period which inevitably affects the performance at the beginning of the season. This element can partly justify the fact that only 4 of the top 10 of last season's final standings are still in the top ten. We are only at the third stage and it is still possible any, some top athletes have had to skip a stage, such as the French Jordan Sarrou and probably others do not yet have the right pace, like the Swiss Fluckinger, protagonist in 2021 and not yet at the top this season, also due to some mechanical problems such as the double puncture in Albstadt, both in xco than in short track.
Cwhat the three stages have said
Beyond some general considerations, the first three stages also indicated some confirmations; the first is that Schurter is not tired of winning and is now chasing victory number 34 which would make him the most successful ever, the second is that the Olympic champion when he decides to participate in the stages of the word cup is a difficult opponent to beat, while the novelty of this beginning is the Romanian Dascalu Vlad; already under world champion in 2019 he seems to have found the right balance, with two thirds and a second in xco it is certainly an element to take into consideration for the overall ranking.
Italians
After an excellent 9th place by Luca Braidot in the first stage, our athletes have lost a bit of their edge; Luca himself is now 21st in the overall, behind him in 25th position we find Gioele Bartolini, while the others are more delayed, a sign that this 2022 has not started in the best way.
What happens in the women's field?
In the women's field, the real surprise is the almost absolute domination of Rebecca Mcconnel. The Australian athlete has been at the top of the league for many seasons, but she has never achieved similar results. Rebecca had finished last season with growing results and she seems to have continued the development path also in this 2022.
Another novelty for 2022 is the Austrian Mona Mitterwallner, a very young interpreter of fat wheels who, after having dominated the youth categories at just 20 years old, finds herself competing in the absolute category. As you admit, she needs to improve in short track, but her consistency inxco they certainly put her among the candidates for the overall podium this season and certainly the next ones. The three Olympic medals from Tokyo are a bit subdued, with the current world champion, the Englishwoman Evie Richards, even further behind.
On the under field
In the men's ranking continues the dominance of the Chilean Martin Vidaurre; after winning world championships and category cup in 2021, he won the first three stages of this 2022. The surprise of this season start is the Brazilian 2 XAVIER DE OLIVEIRA PEREIRA Gustavo, in his first international season. The third square is also occupied by a boy who has made a clear leap forward; the Swiss Lillo Dario. Switzerland that proves to be a land of strong athletes, in fact, has 3 riders in the top 10. The Italian Avondetto is also doing well, after an uncertain start is back to the levels of last year.
In the women's field there is the domination of the French Burquier Line, which after winning the U19 World Cup in the first year in the under category has won all three runs. At the women's level, Italy is showing an excellent level, with Giada Specie second tied with the German Sofie Pedersen, and with Cortinovis Sara, fourth at the end of the first three tests.
Now a few weeks of rest before the fourth test, in Leogang, where the third stage of the DH will also take place, downhillers who will instead be engaged on the historic Fort William descent this weekend. And remember to field the formation for the FANTAmtb.
