Men’s race

The Cross country course had come in for much attention as being very technical and tough but surprisingly the athletes who stood on the podium are not renowned for their technical ability.  In the Mens race Julian Absalon failed to show leaving Christoph Sauser as the pre-race favourite.  A small field of only 41 riders lined up at the start but it was Swiss rider Ralph Naef of the Merida-Multivan team who tested the field, on lap 3, quickly gaining a 30 second gap over a chasing group.

Naef was left of the Swiss Olympic team, despite finishing third at the World Championships in June and doubtless had a point to prove.  The chasers included Naef’s team mate Spaniard Jose Antonio Hermida Ramos, Compatriots Nino Schurter and Florian Vogel, Jose Antonio Hermida Ramos, Canadian Geoff Kabush and American Todd Wells.  With such a large group, noone was willing to do the work so Naef maintained his gap.  Team work played a part too as Hermida Ramos controlled the chasing group to allow Naef to keep the advantage before surging ahead himself to take second.  Kabush powered away from the others to take third, the only one who could match Hermida Ramos’ kick. Vogel took 4th and Wells 5th, one of the best results of his career.

Results

1 Ralph Naef (Swi) Multivan Merida Biking Team                             1.45.28
2 José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Spa) Multivan Merida Biking Team               00.16
3 Geoff Kabush (Can) Team Maxxis                                             00.28
4 Florian Vogel (Swi) Swisspower MTB Team                                    00.47
5 Todd Wells (USA) GT Mongoose / Pacific Cycle                               01.46
6 Burry Stander (RSA) GT Mongoose / Pacific Cycle                            02.30
7 Roel Paulissen (Bel) Cannondale-Vredestein                                 03.33
8 Nino Schurter (Swi) Swisspower MTB Team                                    03.38
9 Marco Aurelio Fontana (Ita)                                                03.41
10 Chris Jongewaard (Aus) Dolphin-Trek Mountainbike Racing Team              04.07
11 Christoph Sauser (Swi) Specialized Factory Racing                         06.02
12 Daniel Mcconnell (Aus)                                                    06.13
13 Adam Craig (USA) Giant Mountain Bike Team                                 06.26
14 Liam Killeen (GBr) Specialized Factory Racing                             06.26
15 Rudi Van Houts (Ned) Dolphin-Trek Mountainbike Racing Team                07.30
16 Kashi Leuchs (NZl) Cannondale-Vredestein                                  09.03
17 Cristobal Silva Ibaceta (Chi)                                             09.21
18 Giuseppe Lamastra (Ita)                                                   09.54
19 Lachlan Norris (Aus)                                                      09.56
20 Dylan Cooper (Aus)                                                        10.30

Woman’s race

The womans race also featured a reduced field with German Olympic Gold medal winner Sabine Spitz opting to stay home and Silver medal winner Pole Maja Wloszczowska doing likewise.  World Cup leader Marie-Helene Premont also chose to miss the start as did the Chinese riders, World Champ Margarita Fullana and Norwegian rider Gunn Rita Dahle Fleesja who is out injured.  This left Irina Kalentieva as pre-race favourite and she didn’t disapoint, leading from start to finish.

The former World Champion stormed to victory in emphatic style with New Zealand rider Rosara Joseph in second and Canadian Catherine Prendrel in third.  Czech rider Tereza Hurikova took fourth while American Mary McConneloug came fifth.

Results

1 Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team                          1.39.34
2 Rosara Joseph (NZl) Team Ghost International                               00.53
3 Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Womens MTB Team                               00.59
4 Tereza Hurikova (Cze) Ceska Sporitelna MTB                                 01.10
5 Mary McConneloug (USA)                                                     03.29
6 Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Giant Italia Team                                    05.49
7 Jodie Willett (Aus)                                                        08.02
8 Katherine O'Shea (Aus)                                                     11.15
9 Zoe King (Aus)                                                             11.37
10 Joanna Wall (Aus)                                                         12.29