Albstadt crowns world champions Jolanda Neff e Nino Schurter, leader of the MTB World Cup. Marco Aurelio Fontana, brilliant in the unprecedented short track, is 13th in the XCO.
Source: Giulia De Maio press release
Download the videos of the races won by Schurter and Neff from www.redbullcontentpool.com.
Albstadt dyed the colors of the rainbow. The second stage of the MTB World Cup saw the world champions triumph Nino Schurter and Jolanda Neff. The two Swiss have beaten the competition, using their technical skills on a path already challenging on paper, made even more complicated by the heavy rains of recent days.
The women's race was characterized by rear-end collisions, crashes and the most varied mechanical problems, but Neff's primacy was never questioned. Starting in the lead, he raced alone until the end, when he crossed the finish line with a 2'16 "advantage over a newfound Yana Belomoina, returning to the Cup after her winter injury, who got the better of the sprint on Anne Tauber and Alessandra Keller. Fifth place for Elisabeth Brandau, 18th for the Italian champion Eva Lechner.
«The climatic conditions today were my best ally ... I love to run on such difficult routes ... I knew that the mud would play in my favor» declared the winner of the day.
The sun peeked into the sky for the men's race. Schurter started from the third row following his retirement from the short track due to mechanical problems, a short and intense race held for the first time on Friday among the best 40 in the world results and which decreed the starting order of the race cross country. This could have been a disadvantage for the world champion, who, however, has shown right from the shot that he deserves the lead in the race. Sam Gaze, winner in Stellenbosch, lost the wheels of the leaders during the first lap due to mechanical problems. On the fourth ascent of Gonzo Uphill, the world champion launched a decisive attack which only the Frenchman Stephane Tempier was able to resist, who managed to shake off the following lap with another acceleration. Schurter triumphs with a 16″ margin over Tempier. The young Mathieu Van der Poel finished third ahead of Maxime Marotte and Jordan Sarrou. The best Italian was Prorider Marco Aurelio Fontana, 13th after the top ten obtained in the short track (8th, front row), ahead of his compatriot Luca Braidot. 19th the promise Gioele Bertolini.
«What a great feeling to win the first race of the year, it's a relief. Starting back is not ideal, but everything went well. I want to repeat myself next weekend »commented Schurter, who with this victory jumped to the top of the Cup standings.
The most important international off-road circuit continues next weekend in Nové Mesto in the Czech Republic and, as always, on Red Bull TV. In the meantime, the replay of the races in Albstadt is available on www.redbull.tv.
