Schurter and Langvad win in Cairns

The World Cup in Cairns has been saving the best for last. The XCO course design has been tweaked from 2014 to keep it faster, tighter and more exciting. Cross-country racing has been evolving, and the courses are becoming far more technical, and shorter, to create tighter racing that is more exciting for spectators. And what races they were!

Double trouble for Specialized in U23

The men’s U23 started right on 9am, and spurts of gravel flew off the start line as the field fired up through the testosterone think air. All Australian eyes were on Scott Bowden, as the U23 National Champ is in seriously good shape. But Sam Gaze, of New Zealand, would be hard to trump – let alone the strong European imports. After the start loop, the bunch was in small groups, and it was clear Tristan Ward had a great start, but as he was fading he let riders pass on the climb. Bowden settled into about 6th, chasing the two groups ahead.

Gaze was out in front with the French duo of Seigle and Carod. Seeing Christoph Sauser in the forest, he confided that now Gaze would ride tactically, aiming to out sprint the others in the finish.

Bowden held strong, and Reece Tucknott rode into the top 20, as did Tasman Nankervis, carrying on his exceptional results of late. Michael Potter improved, as did Ethan Kelly who had a sub-optimal start.

Gaze came to the line with the two French riders and took it in the sprint, getting a win for Specialized on his Stumpjumper hardtail. Bowden was not far back, crossing for 7th.

“I really wanted to have a good one here today, but I didn’t feel amazing down the start straight,” said Bowden of his start.

Bowden and Tristan Ward chat post race.

“I knew in the heat it would be a race of attrition, because of the heat but more so the humidity. I managed to keep moving up throughout the laps, but ended up settling into a group half way through. I hjad good legs on the last lap but just before Croc Slide I broke a spoke in the rear. I had to be pretty conservative and nurse it to the line for 7th.”

Gaze on the top step.

The U23 women’s race was combined with Elite women, and Kate Courtney of the US won the race on her Specialized, making it two for two for the US company, as Holly Harris finished in 5th.

Holly Harris charging the rock garden above Croc Slide.

Annika Langvad takes her 2nd World Cup victory

Canberra is far from local but Bec is still the local hero, and Smithfield held a highly motivated crowd to see her perform. Through the end of the start loop, Bec took the leading, but soon it was Linda Indergand who was in the lead, with Langvad, Henderson and Pendrel, and then Sabine Spitz chasing.

Linda Indergand was so strong, but Langavd pulled the gap back and took the lead. Seeing Langvad in practice yesterday, it was clear she’s developed her technical skills to not just be world-class, but world leading.

Best of all? Bec Henderson was riding in third and riding so strongly! Peta Mullens was further back, and did have a flat – like many riders. Kate Fluker had a mechanical issue that she never truly recovered from. Some riders like Eva Lechner and Yana Belomoina were just off the pace.

Annika Langvad cools off through the feed zone.

Bec was caught by Catherine Pendrel, and moved to 4th. But on the last lap, she pulled out all the stops and moved back to 3rd, launching her Trek Procaliber down the descent.

“She helped me get the best out of myself today,” Henderson said. “Early in the race I wasn’t backing myself, I was waiting for most of the field to catch me. Catherine then caught me and I just tried to follow her as best as I could.  Then on the last lap I thought it was now or never.”

Annika Langvad crossed for the win, with Indergand 2nd, Bec 3rd, Pendrel 4th and Spitz 5th. Just like last year, the 2016 World Cup looks very exciting for the Elite Women.

Langvad, who will now wear the World Cup Series leader’s jersey following her win, praised Henderson’s ride.

“In front of her home crowd I think she did an amazing race. I knew she struggled a bit last year but it’s always impressive when riders turn things around,” said Langvad.

Bec is congratulated by her team mate Emily Batty, who was 7th.

Battle of the titans in Cairns

With Dan McConnell the hero – for Australia, not Cairns – this World Cup was still going to be billed as Schurter v Absalon. The pace off the start was super hot, but it was Schurter with the edge, as Absalon rolled into the tech zone with a flat rear tyre. He was far from the only rider in that situation, but a flat for a race favourite was likely to shape the race.

Mathias Fluckiger was right in the mix and pushing hard, just like in Cairns in 2014, as was Florian Vogel on his top secret Focus dual suspension bike. But Maxime Marotte was a fluoro fighter and also right up the front.

Soon enough it was Schurter and Fluckiger alone, with McConnell chasing in 3rd. Many commented that it was an uncharacteristically fast start from McConnell, but while he did fade a little, it was a flat tyre that took the wind out of his sails.

“I think my tactics were pretty good today but I’ve been struggling with fitness and health last three weeks and on lap four my body pretty much just shut down followed by two flat tyres,” the dual Olympian McConnell explained after finishing thirty-first.

McConnell is chasing a spot on the Australian Olympic team for a third Olympic Games, with the Canberran confident he can overcome the physical issues which plagued him today in time for Rio.

“I know my form is good so you know I just got to put it together on race day and really mix it up.”

Further back the field was being torn apart. Despite the shorter course, the pace at the front meant riders were blowing and dropping back. Except Absalon. He was moving forward, at quite some pace.

On the last lap, Absalon moved himself into 3rd place.

Cam Ivory was racing as the second highest placed Australian in 37th, behind Dan in 31st, and even Cam had a flat rear tyre near the end of the descent. The sound of burping tyres was present all day on the Smithfield trails.

Schurter couldn’t be touched out front, and Maxime Marotte held on for grim death to his 2nd place. Absalon took a flying 3rd place, with Fluckiger 4th and Vogel 5th.

Full results are online.