Specialized domination in the first stage of the Mountain Bike World Cup. Among the women victory of Annika Langvad over Pauline Ferrand Prevot.
Source: press release / Giulia De Maio
The first stage of the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup brought great twists. In the men's race the very young Sam Gaze, in his first year in the Elite category, managed to break the domination of Nino Schurter after a very tense race.
The 22-year-old New Zealander, 2016 and 2017 World Champion among the Under 23s, blossomed in the top category on the arid and spectacular Stellenbosch course, site of the first clash of the year between the off-road giants.
On the South African circuit the Specialized Racing rider managed to stay in the lead together with Nino Schurter and Maxime Marotte and, a little further back, another excellent young man like Mathieu Van Der Poel.
The duel with the Swiss champion, who a year ago in addition to conquering the rainbow jersey dominated all the stages of the most important international circuit in the world, was resolved only in the final sprint. Gaze's conduct of the race was applauding, as he crossed the finish line cheering with a liberating scream and collapsed to the ground bitten by cramps. “I will never forget this day. I have always admired Nino, beating him is a dream that comes true »he commented after the finish.
Unfortunately, the Italians are not very brilliant. Unlucky Luca Braidot, forced to raise the white flag due to a puncture when he was fighting for a place in the top ten. Andrea Tiberi finished in 23rd place, Gioele Bertolini, 28th and Marco Aurelio Fontana 31st. All three paid for the start with a high bib, which is equivalent to a back position on the starting grid.
In the women's race success of Annika Langvad, also of Team Specialized, who could not have started the 2018 World Cup better. «I am very happy for my form. Hitting the full result at the first shot gives morale for the rest of the season »declared the queen of the day, already XCO world champion in 2016 and four times number 1 in the Marathon world.
The 34-year-old Dane got the better of a newfound Pauline Ferrand Prevot, who succumbed to her more experienced rival only in the last few laps. Third step of the podium for the Dutch Anne Tauber, who got the better of Helen Grobert, Maja Wloszczowska and the world champion Jolanda Neff. 17th final place for the Italian champion Eva Lechner.
After the show offered by cross country (for those who missed it, the replay is available on Red Bull TV), the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup continues on the weekend of 21-22 April in Losinj, Croatia, with the first stage dedicated to Downhill.
RACE REPLAY
