The sun comes out for the men's competition but the ground remains difficult, especially in the stones, but the mud is averted. In the first part of the race, Henrique Avancini has a strong but steady pace: he wants to keep himself out of trouble. Juri Zanotti remains in the leading group.
Unfortunate Julian Schelb, victim of a puncture while he was in the leading group. Ahead Avancini continues to push: Colombo and Fini are very brilliant, always in the top positions. Litscher and Blevins also seem to have the right leg today.
The Rock Gardens are very difficult and are causing many falls: even the men's competition is no exception. Avancini falls while he is in the lead and drags Fini and Colombo with him. Blevins is saved. Everyone leaves promptly without consequences. Meanwhile Braidot and Zanotti continue with their excellent race in the top 10 positions.
In the first positions Sam Gaze is seen threatening in black suit: a rider to keep an eye on in this discipline. With 3 laps to go the pace drops again with about twenty athletes leading in a very long single file. Avancini and Gaze increase the pace again but Latvian Martin Blums also arrives from the rear, able to win the U23 World Cup in 2017, but soon loses the top positions. The last lap begins with the attack of Sam Gaze, immediately followed by Blevins and Colombo.
In the transfer section there is a battle between Blevins and Gaze to take the final descent in the lead: Gaze in the false plan does not let himself pass but in the final rock garden it is battle: Blevins tries to pass Gaze in an impossible stretch but the New Zealand does not give up and the American falls: he will finish in 16th place. 2nd place for Filippo Colombo and 3rd for Thomas Litscher.
1st of the Italians Daniele Braidot in 9th place, his good performance. Juri Zanotti punctures in the final and closes 24th: a real shame since he could snatch a top 10.
VIDEO OF THE FALL
Here is the video of the fall, but between the 2 they were immediately words of esteem after the race.
MEN'S XCC RANKING
| 1 | GAZE Samuel |  | 22:21 |
| 2 | COLUMBUS Philip |  | + 0: 03 |
| 3 | LITSCHER Thomas | | + 0: 07 |
| 4 | HATHERLY Alan |  | + 0: 13 |
| 5 | BLUMS Martins |  | + 0: 16 |
| 6 | CARSTENSENSebastian Fini |  | + 0: 19 |
| 7 | AVANCINI Henrique |  | + 0: 21 |
| 8 | LINDBERG Jonas | | + 0: 23 |
| 9 | BRAIDOT Daniel |  | + 0: 24 |
| 10 | BRANDL Maximilian |  | + 0: 24 |
HIGHLIGHTS
