  After an incredible season including the recent Trophy of Nations victory in the Pro Men's category, Cody Kelley will be back to defend his Elite Men's title at the Amazing Thailand International Chiang Mai Enduro. Looking forward to welcoming you back to the Land of Smiles in November!  It's official, Wyn Masters - Wyntv is going to be at the Amazing Thailand International Chiang Mai Enduro! Apart from competing, Wyn will also be riding with Trailhead Thailand after the event so don't forget to book your After ICE tour if you want to ride with the pros! Wyn Master จะมา Amazing Thailand International Chiang Mai Enduro 2019 นะรู้ยัง! หลังเสร็จงาน Wyn Master ก็จะยังมาปั่นจักรยานกับ Trailhead อีกนะครับ นักปั่นท่านไหนอยากมีประสบการณ์การปั่นกับโปรระดับโลก ก็บุ๊คทัวร์ After ICE กับเราได้เลย อินบ๊อกซ์สอบถามรายละเอียดได้คร้าบ Photo Credit: Sven Martin  江勝山ミ Dan Sheng-Shan Chiang from Taiwan will come again! He got 2nd last year at the International Chiang Mai Enduro race!
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 ONLY PHOTOS GUIZHOU - CHINA REDBULL HARDLINE - UK FLAMING MOUNTAINS - CHINA  #issue #59 #mtbmagasia #onlyphotos #guizhou #china #city #race #warhorse #energydrink #redbull #hardline #wales #uk #downhill #bigjumps #flamingmountains #turpan #china #freeriding #mtb #enduro #mtbbelief #looseriderschina #friends #riding #shredding
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 YakRu 2019 registration is closed now and they have small but very satisfying line up. You will recognize most of the names.   Rider: Bernard Kerr / Photo: Sven Martin Yes, you seen right! RedBull Hardline 2019 winner Bernard Kerr will race at Yakru Enduro Race 2019!!  Rider: Bernard Kerr / Photo: Sven Martin   Photo: Reuben Krabbe Gabriel Amigo III  Tom Sampson (Yeti Cycles ambassador, USA) Phoebe Coers (Mons Royale ambassador, New Zealand) Ben Gibson & Robin Pieper (Ground Effect ambassadors, New Zealand)  #yakru #enduro #race #himalaya #nepal #mtb #bernardkerr #goeffkabush #meganrose #gabrielamigoIII #tomsampson #phoebecoers #bengibson #robinpieper #mtbmagasia
 The International Chiang Mai Enduro is one of the most anticipated mountain bike events in Asia. Taking place between 28th November – 1st December 2019 there is more buzz being generated than ever before for this year’s event and the first time, the International Chiang Mai Enduro will be a stage of the Asia-Pacific Continental Series of the Enduro World Series with the top 3 participants of each EWS category being eligible to participate in the Enduro World Series in 2020. The International Chiang Mai Enduro is proud to announce Amazing Thailand as the title sponsor for the 2019 event with the aim to raise the profile of the event even further, and to help promote tourism and in particular eco-tourism throughout the region.  “We are delighted to announce the partnership between the International Chiang Mai Enduro and Amazing Thailand” stated H.S.H Nawaphansa Yugala, Race director of ICE. “We look forward to promoting the beautiful province of Chiang Mai through our shared values of sustainability and eco-tourism”. Riders can register for the event at http://www.internationalchiangmaienduro.com/race-registration/ Participants can expect a wide variety of trails, from fast and flowy to steep and rocky, at elevations ranging from 300m (1000 ft) to 1400m (4500 ft) through a mix of evergreen forest to deciduous forest. Typical temperatures can range from 10 degrees C (50 Fahrenheit) at higher altitudes to 25 degrees C (77 Fahrenheit) at lower altitudes.  The registration price is 4800 THB which is inclusive of the following; – A lifetime experience and a chance to compete in the EWS Asia-Pacific Continental Series – Professionally timed by SportIdent – 4 days of Uplift twice daily on practice days ( 28-29 November), and once on each ICE days – National Park fees for 28 November -1 December – Finisher medal – Closing ceremony dinner – ICE start pack – Donation to a charitable cause – A chance to win prizes valued at over 100,000 THB – Professional quality photos – 40+ staff dedicated to your good times! Chiang Mai is a vibrant city and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. The city was capital of the Lanna Kingdom until 1558 and with its rich culture and heritage there are, as expected plenty of sights and attractions to keep riders occupied between riding. Chiang Mai is also renowned for its cuisine, whether it be traditional Northern cuisine or international fare, there is something for everybody.  About the International Chiang Mai Enduro The International Chiang Mai Enduro is one of the leading enduro mountain biking event in Asia. Taking place in the Northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, otherwise known as the ‘rose of the North’, riders get to experience some of the most incredible trails in the world. The event aims to offer a world class racing experience, from carefully chosen accommodation, a global standard timing system, a variety of dining options and a wide variety of mountain biking trails. All bought to you with the warmth and hospitality of the people of Chiang Mai.  ICE 2019 has been chosen as a venue for the Asia-Pacific Continental Series of the Enduro World Series – the first event of this magnitude has been held in Thailand and is bought to you by Amazing Thailand, an organization set up in 1924 with the aim to promote tourism in Thailand, to accommodate tourists and to maintain tourist locations and accommodation. The event is organized by Trailhead Thailand, a leading tour company offering the best mountain biking tours in Chiang Mai and the event is supported by a number of companies including Vee Tire Co. Why Not? Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar and Kanta Elephant Sanctuary. Thai Airways is an official partner, offering benefits for excess baggage to help in reducing travel costs. More information can be found on the official website. Please visit http://www.internationalchiangmaienduro.com/ for more information and for registration.  #amazingthailand #internationalchiangmaienduro2019 #ice2019 #enduro #chiangmai #thailand #race #mtbmagasia
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 TRAVELING IN SICHUAN - CHINA REVIEW IXS TRIGGER AM RACE RECAP GUIDE - CHINA  #issue #58 #mtbmagasia #sichuan #traveling #enduro #china #review #ixs #trigger #am #mtb #race #recap #downhill #2x #qinghai #guide #mesumvermaphotography #claudiakremsner #markusmicheler #maximilianjakubowski #bryanbell
 Rider: Nino Schurter / Photo: Boris Beyer The third UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne surely made history. Celebrating the championship’s 30th anniversary some 650 mountain bike athletes from 45 countries went hunting for the rainbow stripes. The technically challenging cross-country and downhill tracks witnessed highly dramatic action, that thrilled athletes and spectators alike. In the end there were some expected and well-deserved but also some surprise winners. Here are the replays of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz.  Rider: Pauline Ferrand Prevot / Photo: Boris Beyer Women’s XCO: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wins Gold with perfect race management Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (FRA) topped her season off. Starting late into this year’s World Cup due to surgeries in both legs caused by endofibrosis, the French rider reached her peak performance just in time. Even problems at the start and losing nearly one minute to the top group did not get the 27-year-old worked up. She kept her pace. Valuable tips and advices came from Julien Absalon at the trackside. The French Cross-Country legend has to use an e-bike nowadays to keep up with his companion and her increasing tempo. The winner from Val di Sole reduced the arrears round by round and closed the gap to the top group in the fourth of six rounds. Then-leading riders Jolanda Neff (SUI) and Rebecca McConnell (AUS) had to pay for the high pace they set at the beginning of the race and were forced to witness how Ferrand-Prévot overtook them, fully determined to win her second Mountain Bike World Championship since 2015. She crossed the finish line 43 seconds ahead of Neff and the Australian, who completed an underdog story with her third place. Further favorites Anne Terpstra (NED) and defending champion Kate Courtney finished as fourth and fifth. Jenny Rissveds (SWE) ranked 16th.  Rider: Jolanda Neff / Photo: Boris Beyer  Rider: Rebecca McConnell / Photo: Boris Beyer  Rider: Jolanda Neff, Pauline Ferrand Prevot and Rebecca McConnell / Photo: Boris Beyer  Rider: Nino Schurter / Photo: Boris Beyer Men’s XCO: Eight times: Schurter lives up to the expectations – mechanical mayhem among the chase pack The men’s competition stunned the gathered fans with thrilling duels and unbelievable material failures. Nino Schurter (SUI) had to put up a hell of a fight to finally crown himself the eight-time World Champion. Lap by lap, the Swiss rider attacked in the La Marmotte section and managed to shake off a number of his rivals during the long, arduous climb, but especially Mathias Flueckiger (SUI) and Stéphane Tempier (FRA) managed to keep up with him. Although Schurter proved to be the strongest rider in the field, it was two mechanical failures that decided the race. A flat front tire in lap four put a stop to the ambitions and hopes of Flueckiger and also Tempier had to visit the tech zone one lap later due to a flat tire. With those two out the way, the road ahead seemed to be paved for Gerhard Kerschbaumer’s ride towards the silver medal. The Italian had been riding with a constant pace and managed to shake off his pursuers in the final lap, now going full throttle and full risk – only to end up with a punctured tire as well. Hoping to secure the second place on foot, he got passed again by Flueckiger and Tempier with the Albstadt winner having the better finish and winning silver. Tempier won bronze. Poor Kerschbaumer finished as fifth after being passed by Titouan Carod (FRA), who came in fourth.  Rider: Mathias Flueckinger / Photo: Boris Beyer  Rider: Stephane Tempier / Photo: Boris Beyer  Rider: Mathias Flueckiger, Nino Schurter and Stephane Tempier / Photo: Boris Beyer  Rider: Myriam Nicole / Photo: Nathan Hughes Women’s DHI: From rehab to the winner’s podium After her crash just before the season kick-off, Myriam Nicole (FRA) spent most of her time on crutches and not on her bike. Tahnée Seagrave (GBR) too had been condemned to watch the season unfold from the sidelines. Winning the season opener, she severely injured her shoulder in Fort William. Both made their comebacks to the big stage at the World Championships – and with quite the spectacle! Starting with number 16, Nicole mastered the 2.9 km /1.8mi long track with ease and elegance. That she has been absent for nearly the whole seasons only became visible at the finish jump, that she passed by rather than sending it. But this roughly one-second detour did not affect her victory and her first World Championships win in her career, with the French rider securing the rainbow jersey for the 2020 season. The comeback madness was completed by Seagrave’s second place, finishing only 1.2 seconds behind Nicole. Only 1.7 seconds back to Nicole, was fellow French rider Marine Cabirou, who won in Val di Sole and Lenzerheide, but had to settle for third place in Canada. World Cup Overall leader Tracey Hannah (AUS) ended up in an ungrateful fourth place, a sizeable 4.1 seconds slower than the winner.  Rider: Tahnee Seagrave / Photo: Nathan Hughes  Rider: Marine Cabirou / Photo: Nathan Hughes  Rider: Tahnee Seagrave, Myriam Nicole and Marine Cabirou / Photo: Nathan Hughes  Rider: Loic Bruni / Photo: Nathan Hughes DHI Men’s: Title hoarder Bruni follows the footsteps of fellow Frenchman Nicolas Vouilloz Loic Bruni (FRA) is on the way to become Mr. World Championships. Having won in Mont-Sainte-Anne, the 25-year-old now has won four World Championships – all accomplished within the last five years, with his 2019 win in Mont-Sainte-Anne being his third title in a row. The last rider to have such a streak was Nicolas Vouilloz, who even managed to win five consecutive titles in the late 90s. This year’s top stars showed an awesome race with too many highlights to mention. The lead changed several times, each rider claiming the hot seat with a high-class performance. Finn Iles (CAN), Greg Minnaar (RSA), Amaury Pierron (FRA), Troy Brosnan (AUS) and Loic Bruni are just a few riders who took the hot seat. At the end of a dramatic and exciting race, Loic Bruni became the old and new World Champion, finishing 0.6 seconds ahead of Brosnan, with Pierron claiming bronze. Danny Hart (GBR), 2011 and 2016 World Champion missed the third place by only 0.256 seconds, while three-time Champion Greg Minnaar was off the pace by 0.6 seconds. Val di Sole winner Laurie Greenland (GBR) was stopped by a flat tire and finished sixth, followed by Iles finishing seventh.  Rider: Troy Brosnan / Photo: Nathan Hughes  Rider: Amaury Pierron / Photo: Nathan Hughes  Rider: Troy Brosnan, Loic Bruni and Amaury Pierron / Photo: Nathan Hughes French mountain bike party in French-Canada The World Championships in Monte-Saint-Anne had been a battle of nations too – especially between France and Switzerland. Looking at the Elite competitions, France seemed to have been boosted by nearly riding on home ground in the French-Canadian Quebec and emerged victorious. Three gold medals and three bronze medals leave no doubt. But the Swiss riders don’t need to hide. They can be proud with one gold and two silver medals. Australia won a silver and a bronze medal; the British riders return home with a silver medal. #uci #mtb #worldchampionship #montsainteanne #xco #dhi #canada #redbulltv #rasoulution #mtbmagasia #redbullcontentpool #borisbeyer
 Rider: Loic Bruni / Photo: Mesum Verma Photography MONTE-SAINTE-ANNE, CANADA – 28 AUGUST, 2019 – Good news for all mountain bike fans. Red Bull is going to broadcast the UCI Mountain Bike World Championship 2019 presented by Mercedes-Benz with all races LIVE from Mont-Sainte-Anne (CAN). Next to the regular World Cup races throughout the season, Red Bull TV now also hosts the prestigious highlight of the season - the World Championships. As usual, the complete replay will be available on demand right after the completion of the respective races. The contests on the 31st of August and the 1st of September will be streamed with German, English and Portuguese commentary, with Rob Warner commentating the English stream. The iconic commentator will be supported by José Antonio Hermida (ESP) during the Cross-Country races on Saturday, 31st of August. The Spanish silver medalist in the Olympic Games 2004 became World Champion in Mont-Sainte-Anne in 2010 and is the ideal co-commentator alongside Rob. The perfectly attuned duo for the Downhill on Sunday, 1st of September, will be Rob and his regular co-commentator Claudio Caluori (SUI). As if this season’s UCI Mountain Bike World Cup wasn’t already thrilling enough, the world’s elite is going to face off in an all-or-nothing event this weekend: The World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne. Taking place in the Canadian bike hotspot for the third time, the event also celebrates its 30th birthday. The Downhill and Cross-Country aces only have one race to achieve fame and glory at the highest level of the sport. ‘La Coupe du Monde DH’ as it’s known, drops a total of 604m / 1,981ft over 2.9km / 1,8 miles. The track has two main themes: when riders are not in the trees it’s brutally, vision-blurringly fast and when in the trees, it’s big impact after big impact. Warp speed skills need to be coupled with pinpoint accuracy and physical strength. The XC track is 4.1km / 2.5miles in length, drops 217m / 712ft and features an average speed of around 18kmph / 12mph. It’s comfortably the most technical track that the top flight of mountain biking visit. Its challenge lies in its severity, with horribly steep and awkward climbs, such as L’Enfer De Sainte Anne, leading directly into savage descents like La Beatrice, which features a maximum gradient of 48 percent. Who is going to leave Canada with the famous rainbow jersey? Will there be another French downhill party? Is Nino Schurter (SUI) going to become World Champion for the eighth time? Who is going to emerge victorious from the strong field of women’s cross-country?  Rider: Nino Schurter / Photo: Mesum Verma Photography XCO: Schurter favorite in the men’s competition – no clear favorite among the women Nino Schurter is an Olympic champion, seven-time World Champion, six-time overall World Cup title holder and has won a total of 32 World Cup races. With two wins this season, Schurter is the top favorite in the men’s competition. The biggest threat to his rainbow jersey would have been Mathieu van der Poel (NED), who is not competing in order to properly prepare for the upcoming Road Bike World Championship. Consequently, the biggest rivals of the Swiss cross-country legend are going to be fellow Swiss rider Mathias Flueckiger, Gerhard Kerschbaumer (ITA) and Henrique Avancini (BRA). The women’s competition paints a completely different picture. With no less than five riders with reasonable chances to win, a hopefully unpredictable and compelling race lies ahead. Kate Courtney (USA) has won three World Cup races this season but faltered in Val di Sole (ITA) and Lenzerheide (SUI). On the other hand, after a weak race in Vallnord (AND), she came back even stronger and won in Les Gets (FRA). In the final rehearsal in Lenzerheide at the beginning of August, Jenny Rissveds (SWE), Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (FRA) and Anne Terpstra (NED) left behind the strongest impression. The Swedish rider accomplished her second World Cup win in Switzerland and rides a wave of euphoria since her comeback to the big stage. Ferrand-Prévot won in Val di Sole and managed to come back successfully after two surgeries last December, reaching her peak performance right on time. The former World Champion on the road, in cyclocross and on the mountain bike knows how to perform at events of this caliber. Terpstra won in Vallnord and was Rissveds’ biggest competitor for the Lenzerheide trophy. Last but not least is Jolanda Neff (SUI). The Overall World Cup points leader is the most consistent rider with four second places on the Olympic distance. Having started her races with either too much or too little pace, the 26-year-old still lacks a Cross-Country World Cup win in 2019. It’s entirely possible that the Swiss speedster saved the perfect balance for the highlight race of the year. Watch the UCI Mountain Bike World Championship 2019 in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada in English, German and Portuguese from the 31 August – 1 September LIVE and on-demand on Red Bull TV!  Rider: Kate Courtney / Photo: Mesum Verma Photography  Rider: Amaury Pierron / Photo: Mesum Verma Photography DHI: Another French downhill party? Will the comebackers interfere? The French Downhill performances have been incredible so far. Loic Bruni and Amaury Pierron have each won three races this season, while Marine Cabirou just celebrated her first two victories in the Women’s Elite. They are clearly the ones to beat. But Tracey Hannah (AUS) surely will approach the World Championship differently than her recent World Cup races, during which she put down some safe runs to conserve her lead in the Overall World Cup. With what could be her first World Championship title in mind, the Australian will clearly aim for the win in MSA. Another rising star of this season won’t appear in the start gate in Canada: due to an injured shoulder Nina Hofmann (GER) will not be able to participate. A serious dose of action is added with the return of Myriam Nicole (FRA) and Tahnée Seagrave (GBR). Nicole has had to sit on the sidelines this season due to a broken ankle, but made her return to racing at Crankworx Whistler in which she claimed third place, less than a second behind Hannah. Tahnée Seagrave (GBR) will also make her return to the World Cup circuit in Canada, however, it remains to be seen how the winner of seven World Cup races maintained her form after suffering a significant shoulder injury in Fort William earlier this year. In the men’s competition defending champion Bruni is looking to win in his fourth World Championship (2015, 2017 and 2018). Amaury Pierron, defending Overall World Cup winner, Val di Sole winner Laurie Greenland (GBR) and Greg Minnaar (RSA) might be the ones who prevent him from doing so. With second place finishes in Leogang and Lenzerheide, record World Cup winner (21 victories) and three-time World Champion Greg Minnaar recently showed that, even at 37 years old, he’s still a threat. Troy Brosnan (AUS), Loris Vergier (FRA) and two-time World Champion (2011 and 2016) Danny Hart (GBR) complete the strong field. Celebrating the return of a legend as well, the men’s competition welcomes back Aaron Gwin (USA). The winner of 20 World Cup races had to pause to recover from several injuries and focused his rehab on the World Championship, where he aims to celebrate his first title.  Rider: Tracey Hannah / Photo: Mesum Verma Photography Schedule: The UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Mont-Sainte-Anne LIVE on Red Bull TV: JAPAN / SOUTH KOREA Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Women: Saturday, 01 September, starting at 1:00am live on Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Men: Saturday, 01 September, starting at 3:30am live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Women: Sunday, 02 September, starting at 1:45am live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Men: Sunday, 02 September, subsequently to the women’s race live CHINA Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Women: Saturday, 01 September, starting at 12:00am live on Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Men: Saturday, 01 September, starting at 2:30am live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Women: Sunday, 02 September, starting at 12:45am live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Men: Sunday, 01 September, subsequently to the women’s race live THAILAND Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Women: Saturday, 31 August, starting at 11:00pm live on Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Men: Saturday, 01 September, starting at 1:30am live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Women: Sunday, 01 September, starting at 11:45pm live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Men: Sunday, 02 September, subsequently to the women’s race live BANGLADESH Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Women: Saturday, 31 August, starting at 10:00pm live on Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Men: Saturday, 01 September, starting at 12:30am live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Women: Sunday, 01 September, starting at 10:45pm live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Men: Sunday, 01 September, subsequently to the women’s race live NEPAL (only with a VPN) Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Women: Saturday, 31 August, starting at 09:45pm live on Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Men: Saturday, 01 September, starting at 12:15am live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Women: Sunday, 01 September, starting at 10:30pm live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Men: Sunday, 01 September, subsequently to the women’s race live INDIA Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Women: Saturday, 31 August, starting at 09:30pm live on Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Men: Saturday, 01 September, starting at 12:00am live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Women: Sunday, 01 September, starting at 10:15pm live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Men: Sunday, 01 September, subsequently to the women’s race live IRAN Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Women: Saturday, 31 August, starting at 08:30pm live on Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne XCO Men: Saturday, 31 August, starting at 11:00pm live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Women: Sunday, 01 September, starting at 09:15pm live auf Red Bull TV Mont-Sainte-Anne DHI Men: Sunday, 01 September, subsequently to the women’s race live #uci #mtb #worldchampionship #montsainteanne #xco #dhi #canada #redbulltv #rasoulution #mtbmagasia #mesumvermaphotography   Photo: Piotr Staron One year after the succesful World Championships, the world’s best mountain bikers are back in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. The Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup was opened with men’s and women’s Cross-Country Short-Track, which had its Swiss debut. The measure of might was championed by Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (FRA) in the women’s field and Mathieu van der Poel (NED) in the men’s race. Four thousand enthusiastic spectators witnessed a battle for the ages and saw their local favorites, Jolanda Neff and Nino Schurter, battle tooth and nail for a spot on the podium. Drama unfolded for German racer Elisabeth Brandau, who gave away her potential win with a costly mistake.  Rider: Jolanda Neff / Photo: Piotr Staron With the sun high in the sky, the tracks in prime condition and four thousand specatators on the sidelines of the Cross-Country track, conditions could not have been better for the kick-off of the #FullgasMTB days at the foot of the Rothorn. Exactly at 17:30 / 5.30pm CEST, when the race timer sounded loudly throughout the Lenzerheide Bikepark, the Cross-Country Women Elite opened the proverbial festivities. The race was on, the atmosphere electric. The race pace was high, the battle between the riders fierce – and what unfolded over the next 10 laps was a race filled with overtaking, risky maneuvers and high-stakes drama. Swiss speed machine Jolanda Neff came off the start line on fire – her goal being obvious: to take first place here in Lenzerheide, which could be considered her local playground. It wasn’t until the seventh lap that a number of favorites separated themselves from the pack – including Kate Courtney (USA), Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (FRA) and Jenny Rissveds (SWE), who had to battle back from incidents earlier on the track. Once again, Elizabeth Brandau stepped on the gas pedal during the second half of the race, passing riders as they appeared.  Rider: Jenny Rissveds / Photo: Piotr Staron With two laps to go, the German speedsteer took the lead, set the pace and started separating herself from the chase group. Brandau’s performance and pace were one for the history books, which makes what followed all the more dramatic. With just over one lap to go, Brandau once again increased the pace, created a serious gap between her and her chasers and started celebrating her win the moment she crossed the finish line. Brandau rolled to the first turn, got off her bike, exhausted and sat down to catch a breath. Only when the chase group passed in front of her eyes and the screams of the audience became clear, did Brandau realize her costly mistake. She scrambled to get back on her bike, but it was too late – she had lost the lead and had to settle into the mid-pack and once again go flat out in order to salvage her race. The last lap was a thrilling duel between Ferrand-Prévot and Neff, a duel which would be decided at the last possible moment while crossing the finish line, when Ferrand-Prévot crossed the finish line half a wheel length ahead of Neff, just like last week in Val di Sole:  Rider: Jolanda Neff / Photo: Piotr Staron “It’s unbelievable. I had to fight back and knew from last week that I could beat Jolanda in the sprint. After my little crash at the start all I wanted to do was go flat out and do the best that I could. What happened to Elisabeth is awful, but that’s racing,” said Ferrand-Prévot. Neff continues to build her Overall World Cup lead with her second place finish, making the gap between her and Courtney 83 points, but was visibly still disappointed because of the missed home soil victory, especially because it was so close. Following her race, she immediately started analyzing her mistakes: “I have to try to be ahead at the end of the next race. For me, it’s important to find exactly where I need to take the lead. I have to work on that. Other that that, 99% of my race was good. But I am disappointed that I could not take the win here. The fans were already sensational today and on Sunday it will probably be even better. I try to do my best on Sunday,” said Neff.  Rider: Pauline Ferrand Prevot / Photo: Piotr Staron The third place went to Jenny Rissveds (SWE). The last time she was in Lenzerheide, in 2016, she won the Olympic distance, so a Short-Track podium shows promise for more. “It was a tough race. I was nervous at the start, because this was my first World Cup Short-Track race. But now I’m happy because of my third place.” The podium is rounded out by Anne Tauber (NED) in fourth and Nové Mesto Short-Track winner Chloe Woodruff (USA) in fifth. Courtney finished in ninth place, with Brandau finishing in 21st, which means she’ll start in the third row on Sunday. “My brain turned off. I pushed my limits so far and thought that it was the final lap. It was just stupid of me. It could have been my first win, I feel good and I’ll pay more attention in the future. Now I’m going to recover for Sunday and I’ll attack again,” said a very self-critical Brandau following the race.  Rider: Jolanda Neff, Pauline Ferrand Prevot, Jenny Rissveds / Photo: Piotr Staron With only a few minutes in between the finish of the women’s race and the start of the men’s race, spectators made sure to get the best possible spots once again. At 18:15 / 6.15pm CEST, it was the men’s turn to attack the one kilometer long Bike Arena loop. The men started cautiously into their first lap. With the track lying 1,485 meters / 4,927ft. above sea level, endurance definitely comes into play. Due to the cautious start, the lead pack that came into the fifth lap was still 26 riders strong. One lap later, Henrique Avancini (BRA) cranked up the pace and only Short-Track dominator Mathieu van der Poel (NED) and local speedster Nino Schurter (SUI) were able to stay close to him. What followed was a battle of epic proportions with a number of lead changes. In the seventh lap, it was Schurter who was at the front and setting the pace. The 32-time World Cup winner showed a very aggressive, if slightly unusual, riding style in order to separate himself from the two chasers, both of which are extremely strong sprinters. However, both van der Poel and Avancini showed plenty of resolve and kept up with Schurter. In the ninth lap, van der Poel showcased his signature explosive attack, overtaking Schurter and putting some distance between him, the Swiss racer and Avancini. Avancini was all but beat though – he caught up to the chase pack and it was this exact trio that would decide the race between themselves. Avancini and van der Poel started the last uphill section together, putting distance between them and Schurter, who was unable to keep up, resulting in another battle for top spot between the Dutch dominator and the Brazilian sprinter.  Rider: Nino Schurter / Photo: Piotr Staron  Rider: Henrique Avancini / Photo: Piotr Staron At the end of the race, it was the Dutch powerhouse that celebrated his fifth Short-Track victory of the season – which also means that he’s won every Short-Track race that he’s started this season. “Winning every Short-Track race is great, but also really hard. Especially Nino, who has some new tactics, was exceptionally strong. I’m satisfied with my season. I’ve managed to get better once again and am now riding against the best riders in the world, which is fantastic,” said an ecstatic van der Poel. Second-place finisher Henrique Avancini (BRA) acknowledged van der Poel’s feat: “At first, it was a very strategic race, until Schurter showed his more aggressive side. He wanted to achieve something special in front of the home crowd. I tried everything and really wanted to beat van der Poel, as it was probably the last chance to do so this year. My goal was to be on the home stretch before him, which is why I started my attack on the last long uphill, but his attack was stronger.” The third-place finisher, racing in front of his home crowd, was also satisfied with his result: “I felt really good at the start and tried to attack quickly, but in the end, I was missing something. Mathieu van der Poel is simply the man to beat when it comes to Short-Track, but it was my best Short-Track race so far, which makes me confident for Sunday. The race will be one of my season highlights,” said Schurter.  Rider: Nino Schurter / Photo: Piotr Staron Following Brandau’s costly mistake, it was Manuel Fumic (GER) who managed to snag a strong finish and a good starting place for Sunday, keeping German Cross-Country hopes high. The 37-year-old not only got his best sprint result to date, but also secured the highest-placed finish in any men’s German XCC race. “I’m happy with my sixth place and the fact that my teammates finished in second and fourth place, makes it that much better. Racing in Lenzerheide is always amazing, there are always so many fans here and they support us all the way,” said Fumic. The Short-Track debut in Lenzerheide was a showdown of the highest level and the perfect opener for an eventful race weekend.  Rider: Mathieu Van der Poel, Nino Schurter, Henrique Avancini / Photo: Piotr Staron  Rider: Henrique Avancini, Mathieu Van der Poel, Nino Schurter / Photo: Piotr Staron Saturday is Downhill Day After the thrilling start of the Cross-Country speedsters, it’s all about the Downhill aces on Saturday. The action starts at 09:45 with the Junior Women’s race, followed by the Junior Men, who take to the track at 10:15. At 12:30, it’s up to the Women Elite to show who manages to champion the Lenzerheide STRAIGHTline, while the men will battle it out for podium spots at 13:30. The Men and Women Elite races from Lenzerheide will be broadcast LIVE on Red Bull TV. The women’s broadcast starts at 12:30pm CEST, followed by the men’s broadcast at 13:45 / 1.45pm CEST. The full broadcast will be available for replay immediately after the conclusion of the LIVE broadcast.  |
