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Haley Smith lucky 13th in Nové Mesto World Cup XCC

Sam Gaze outsprints Mathieu van der Poel and Langvad wins second straight XCC

Haley Smith Norco Factory Racing
Haley Smith keepnig a close eye on Catharine Pendrel at the Sea Otter Short Track XC earlier in 2018

Canada’s Haley Smith took full advantage of the newly added Short Course (XCC) race in Nové Mesto Na Moravě, finishing 13th on the exciting Czech circuit.

Crucially, Smith’s position inside the top-16 placings moves the Norco Factory Racing up to the second row on the start grid for Sunday’s Olympic distance cross country race (XCO). The new XCC format that UCI has added to World Cup weekends allows the top 40 Elite Men and Women to race for the top 16 spots at the front of Sunday’s start grid. Start position is of huge importance in cross country racing as it helps racers stay clear of traffic and crashes when the eight wide start grid narrows down to double or single track sections of the course.

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Aenika Langvad won her second straight XCC, repeating her last lap attack from last weekend in Albstadt, Germany. The Danish rider again had her Specialized teammate Kate Courtney doing the bulk of the work at the front of the race throughout the early stages of the 25 minute event. When Langvad did finally attack, it was only Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Canyon-SRAM) that was able to follow, while world champion Jolanda Neff (Kross Racing) tried to go with the move, but ended up riding across the finish alone in third.

After being up on pace for much of the race, Emily Batty (Trek Factory Racing) and Catharine Pendrel (Clif Pro Team) were stuck in a small second group just outside the crucial top-16 placings, and will move back to the 3rd row on Sunday. Sandra Walter (Liv Cycling) had a great World Cup XCO race last weekend in Germany, which moved her up close enough to the top 40 that she was added to the start list for Friday’s race the morning of the event. Walter made the best of the unexpected bonus race, but couldn’t sneak inside the top-16 to jump forward on the start grid.

Sam Gaze
Sam Gaze on his way to defeating Nino Schurter at World Cup Round 1 in South Africa Image: Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Poo

In the Men’s XCC race, rising New Zealand talent Sam Gaze (Specialized) took his first win in the new format at Nové Mesto Na Moravě after winning a tight sprint to the line with last week’s winner Mathieu van der Poel (Corendon Circus). After dropping out of the Friday night race in Albstadt, Nino Schurter (Scott-SRAM) almost found himself outside the race again when he went down in a mid-race crash. The Swiss Olympic gold medallist recovered to finish third, just behind the two young racers.

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While Gaze won the race, with his points from finishing second in Friday’s XCC in Nové Mesto, van der Poel takes over the World Cup leaders jersey going into Sunday’s race. The Men’s Elite race is shaping up to be a three way showdown, with van der Poel saying of his chances to take a first World Cup win, “If I can do it somewhere, it should be here.” Gaze was similarly confident after his XCC win, and will be comfortable on track after winning U23 world championships in Nové Mesto Na Moravě in 2016. Schurter still has the edge when it comes to experience on the Czech course. The reigning world champion has won five of the last six races held in Nové Mesto.