Absalon victorious at Pietermaritzburg World Cup
Mountain bike legend Julien Absalon won the opening round of the 2014 Mountain Bike XC World Cup, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Absalon was racing at the front with Nino Schurter, but took over the lead with less than two laps remaining, winning the first World Cup of the 2014 season.
“I’m really happy for sure, it’s really nice to win the first world cup, especially here as last year I crashed and broke my ribs,” said Absalon at the finish. “But all this week, the feeling was good, and my shape was really good, so I am happy to win.”
Absalon took over the lead when Schurter suffered a flat rear tire. From there, the French rider was uncontested to the finish.
Manuel Fumic of Germany finished second, while Frenchman Maxime Marotte finished third.
After getting a new wheel in the tech zone, Schurter recovered to finish sixth, just over two minutes back of Absalon.
Canadian Raphael Gagne finished 14th overall, just three seconds back from Lukas Flueckiger.
Scott-3Rox rider Cameron Jette did not start the race, sidelined with an injury to his right wrist.
No PMB WC for me today. Day to day with an “upper body” injury. http://t.co/8MAJWnxvVr
— Cameron Jette (@CameronJette) April 13, 2014
The 2013 U23 cross country mountain bike world champion Jolanda Neff of Liv Pro XC put on a clinic during the women’s elite event. The Swiss rider took an early lead, and despite a crash partway through the race, maintained her lead from start to finish.
“It’s super cool. I knew I was feeling good,” said Neff. “I had a big crash on the same part of my body as where I crashed in training. I lost a lot of time, but I was happy I could keep the win.”
Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjha finished second overall, the Multivan Merida rider putting in a steady performance to cross the line just 25 seconds back from Neff.
Polish rider Maja Wloszczowska wrapped up the race in third place, the second Liv Pro XC rider on the podium. Wloszczowska finished a further 35 seconds back.
Annika Langvad and Alexandra Engen finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Canadian, Emily Batty finished ninth, just behind defending world champion, Julie Bresset.
One other Canadian finished the race. Cindy Montambault finished 30th overall.
