The Cross Country Short Track XCC challenge has officially inaugurated the first edition of Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island 2024. On the tracks of the Hudayriyat Island sports facility, in the first scheduled event – which is part of the UCI calendar – Rebecca Henderson and Thomas Litscher triumphed. Tomorrow is the amateur competition, followed by the eagerly awaited Olympic Cross Country XCO event on Sunday 11 February.
Source: press release
The long-awaited first edition of HERO Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island has finally begun. The Cross Country Short Track race opened the rich program of this, the only UCI cycling event in the Middle East. Italy, Switzerland and New Zealand shared the podiums in both categories.
As for the men's classification, Thomas Litscher of the LAPIERRE MAVIC UNITY team won, closing the race in 21:51:75, followed by Luca Braidot, of the Santacruz RockShox Pro Team, with a time of 21:52:48. Next up was Ben Oliver of the Denver Disruptors team who crossed the finish line in 21:52:53.
The challenge was also heated among the women: Rebecca Henderson of the Primaflor Mondraker team crossed the finish line first, stopping the clock in a time of 18:46:29. Second place went to Martina Berta of the Santacruz RockShox Pro Team with 18:46:69 followed by Noëlle Buri of the LAPIERRE MAVIC UNITY team, who finished the race in 18:47:07.
THE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY PROGRAM
Tomorrow will be dedicated to the amateurs' test and the HERO Kids, dedicated to the little ones. On Sunday, the elite athletes will compete on the starting grids for the Olympic Cross Country test, which allows them to collect precious points for qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Among the most anticipated names, in addition to Peter Sagan, the Italian Luca Braidot, current Italian national champion and winner of the world bronze last year. With him Gustav Pedersen, Danish XCO national champion, and Diego Alfonso Arias Cuervo, Colombian XCO national champion.
Also worth mentioning are the participation of the reigning Italian XCO champion Martina Berta, and Ingrid Jacobsen, seven-time Norwegian national XCO champion. Challenging them, the UCI World Series champion Lejla Njemčević, ready for her second HERO experience, and the Australian Rebecca Henderson.
XCC HERO Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island Women results
- Rebecca HENDERSON – NZL – Primaflor Mondraker – 18:46:29
- Martina BERTA – ITA – Santacruz RockShox – 18:46:69
- Noëlle BURI – SUI – LAPIERRE MAVIC UNITY – 18:47:07
- Giada SPECIA – ITA – WILIER-VITTORIA FACTORY TEAM XCO – 18:48
- Sofie Heby PEDERSEN – DEN – WILIER-VITTORIA FACTORY TEAM XCO – 18:49
XCC HERO Abu Dhabi Hudayriyat Island Men's Standings
- Thomas LITSCHER – SUI – LAPIERRE MAVIC UNITY – 21pm
- Luca BRAIDOT – ITA – Santacruz RockShox Pro Team – 21:52:48
- Ben OLIVER – NZL – Denver Disruptors – 21pm
- Jofre CULLELL ESTAPE – SPA – BH COLOMA TEAM – 21pm
- Timon RÜEGG – SUI – Bixs Performance Race Team – 21pm
Complete results available on my.raceresult.com
