Marcela Lima started her season with an exceptional victory in the first edition of the 2022 UCI World Cup. The Brazilian champion attacked and overtook the Dutch Didi de Vries in the last meters.
Source: press release
In the men's competition, French champion Titouan Perrin-Ganier took the win and kept Mexican Daniel Castillo Noyola and fellow French Killian Demangeon at bay.
The Brazilian Marcela Lima scores again
Overall winner of last year's UCI World Cup, Gaia Tormena was the woman to beat at the opening of the season. She was the fastest in qualifying time trials, but she had to settle for fourth due to a crash in the final.
Some exciting races saw Marcela Lima claim victory once again, ahead of Dutch Didi de Vries and German Marion Fromberger. Marcela Lima writes her story, winning her second ever UCI World Cup participation, after a spectacular 2018 home win in Congonhas / MG, Brazil.
“It was so good. I came to Abu Dhabi with a goal: to win. I still can't believe I would really do this. I'm in seventh heaven. I dedicate this victory to my family and friends in Brazil, because it would not be possible without their continued support. A pretty impressive circuit here in Abu Dhabi, I really enjoyed it. It would be nice to come back again, ”Marcela Lima said afterwards.
Early season victory for Titouan Perrin-Ganier
Titouan Perrin-Ganier was the strongest in the first UCI World Cup of the 2022 season, setting the best time, beating Quentin Schrotzenberger and Daniel Castillo Soto in the qualifying time trials. Titouan managed to continue his incredible efforts and drove alone to finish in style at the first UCI World Cup. Mexican Daniel Castillo Soto finished second ahead of Quentin Schrotzenberger (France) and Swede Anton Olstam.
Reigning UCI world champion Simon Gegenheimer did not make it to the grand final after losing an intense sprint during the semifinals, but he took glory in the small final and settled for fifth overall.
Titouan Perrin-Ganier said: “The race was so tough, we had a tight battle in the first lap of the final heat. Fortunately, I was able to find a gap and drive full throttle to the finish line to win alone. It was fantastic to have competed in an extraordinary location here in Abu Dhabi with such an extraordinary audience and I can't wait to defend my leader jersey for the next race in Leuven. "
Lima and Perrin-Ganier first leaders
Titouan Perrin-Ganier leads the men's standings by 35 points over Daniel Castillo Noyola, with Killian Demangeon in third position. In the women's competition, Marcela Lima leads the standings with 80 points while Gaia Tormena is second with 55 points. Didi de Vries is third with 52 points.
The next leg of the UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup will take place on Sunday 5th June at the Ladeuzeplein in Leuven, Belgium.
Results men
- Titouan Perrin-Ganier (FRA)
- Daniel Castillo Noyola (MEX)
- Killian Demangeon (FRA)
- Anton Olstam (SWE)
- Simon Gegenheimer (GER)
COMPLETE RANKING
Results women
- Marcela Lima (BRA)
- Didi de Vries (NED)
- Marion Fromberger (GER)
- Gaia Tormena (ITA)
- Laurie Vezie (FRA)
COMPLETE RANKING
