Home > MTB

Albstadt mud bath: XCO and XCC highlights from Germany

Relive the sloppy season World Cup XCO opener

World Cup cross country season is off to a thrilling, if slightly muddy start already in 2019.

Albstadt, Germany provided fast paced racing that barely seemed to slow for the soupy conditions. Friday’s Short Track XCC event served up two close sprint finishes.

On Sunday, the elite women raced on a slippery course, where Kate Courtney showed she’s already feeling quite comfortable in her rainbow stripe world champion’s jersey.

Just hours later, the men started racing under a steady downpour. The course quickly turned treacherous, sending multiple front-runners sliding across the ground. Mathias Flueckiger soared as Nino Schurter struggled, giving Switzerland the win even while the dominant XC nation’s start couldn’t find his usual pace.

XCO Highlights – World Cup #1, Albstadt, Germany

XCC Highlights – World Cup #1, Albstadt, Germany