Flat out at the World Cup Short Track Finals in Val di Sole
The final round of the 2022 MTB World Cup lands in the valley of the sun - here's the first race from Val di Sole.
All photos: Piper Albrecht
The final round of the 2022 World Cup arrived in Val di Sole. As downhillers are figuring out how to tackle the Black Snake, Short Track got the racing under in the valley of the sun.
In the women's race, Alessandra Keller had the leader's jersey and needed to finish in the top 5 to keep it. When the lights went green Jolanda Neff leapt from the line. World Champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot was quick to move up, and despite Neff leading, Martina Berta (Italy) was soon in the lead.
In the end, a group of 4 had a gap: Neff, Keller, Ferrand-Prevot and Lecomte.
Pauline tried to attack on the climb on the last two laps but only on the last lap did it force a split between the French and Swiss, but Lecomte was still there. PFP took the inside line into the final corner, and managed to outsprint Lecomte by a wheel at the finish.
'Today I felt great but I couldnt really push like I wanted,' said Ferrand-Prevot at the finish. 'I didnt sleep much these past days, but I'm happy to take the win. I'm looking forward to Sundays race.'
Alessandra finished 3rd, which sealed her overall victory for the XCC Series
'It's crazy. I did not expect it at the beginning of the year. The pressure was there,' said Keller on winning the overall. 'I said before the race, going for the top 8 and for the win I knew I needed to finish. I had to finish no worse than 5th. I didn't count the position I was in, I just went all in. I'm very happy and very happy for the team, who has always believed in me. It has been a tough 3 years. Sunday is going to be super hard, but if everything goes according to plan I can be there.'
The men's start followed, with David Serrano-Valero boosting off the line, but series leader Alan Hatherly was soon in the lead. By the second lap Hatherly was leading with Tituoan Carod, Nino Schurter and Victor Kortezy. But Hatherly was going FAST! Hatherly and Carod had a gap.
The gap behind the leading duo was growing, and Hatherly was not easing up the pressure on the pedals. Having won the opening round in Brazil, clearly the South African was looking to book end his season and take the overall in style. Carod did not see a breath of wind.
Chasing behind was Filipo Colombo, Nino Schurter, Luca Braidot and a string of fast finishers.
Carod launched on the last lap and Hatherly chased. Braidot was trying to bridge with Schurter barely staying in contact. Carod had the gap for the win, while Hatherly secured the overall. Braidot was third.
