One Last Dance: XC Finals - Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup 2016
There was one last XC round to go in the World Cup before the games in Rio next week. This stop, the legendary Mont-Sainte-Anne. Many of the top riders had already headed to Brazil and will be resting up and letting the efforts of their training settle before the biggest event in four years. For those who headed to this round, they were greeted by humid weather with off and on rain showers. Notably missing were Schurter, Rissveds, and Neff.
Catharine Pendrel got out fast and all but walked away with women's race. Gunn-Rita showed she is in touch heading into the Games with a solid second place performance. Emily Batty rode to third place in front of an ecstatic home crowd. Julien Absalon wasn't afraid to keep racing right before Rio and found himself battling for the better part of three laps with Mathias Fluckiger. Mathias would have to settle for third after being overtaken by Victor Koretzky. Now we have to wait a week and see just who comes away with the big gold in Rio.
With Saturday's dust still settling from the downhill races, Mont-Sainte-Anne started to get ready for another day of racing. The women's U23 field had been rescheduled to start two minutes after the women's elite field. Due to this we have a slightly reduced exposure for the U23 field as it makes it very difficult to get all the images we'd love to take.
9:00 AM sharp and the men's U23 field charges up the hill.
Titouan Carod took off with a pace no one was able to follow.
Antoine Bouqueret, Carod's teammate, riding in second position.
Lukas Baum of Germany took third place in the U23 men's race.
It was hot today. Dunk bottles were key for keeping core temps down.
Sina Frei dominates in the women's U23 field.
After a couple of consistent third place finishes, Anne Tauber now claims second.
Chiara Teocchi has been in the hunt all season, today she took third in U23 women.
What would Mont-Ste-Anne be without its volunteers? Finishers were offered a selection of drinks and food.
The women's elite racing is getting more and more exciting. Even with the Olympics around the corner, most riders made their way down to fight for glory.
Catharine is hitting her peak just right. Now we know she certainly is a medal contender for the Games.
The women head out for their five laps.
Sabine Spitz had a tough day out there as a crash and mechanicals threw her back in the field. After fixing her bike -and herself- she continued the race. True racer's spirit.
Annika Langvad and Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa fought as Catharine Pendrel took off. Langvad seemed to be heading towards Pendrel at one point but faded afterwards. Gunn-Rita is impressive to say the least. Second place for her.
Gunn-Rita is no slouch. She powered her way to second today against a few solid foes.
Batty has had good luck before at MSA. This time she took home the bronze. Hopefully she keeps up the momentum to the Games.
Anneke Langvad wasn't able to get away this round. She finished fourth, and retains the overall title.
Pendrel taking the express way down Beatrice.
Katerina Nash was on it today, she rode to fifth place.
Catharine Pendrel rides into the finish, adding another incredible result to her palmares. Her mom and dad witnessed the moment.
Catharine and Gunn-Rita congratulate each other at the finish.
The fans are fanatical for Emily.
Warming up was, well, warm.
With big names like Nino Schurter and Jaroslav Kulhavy missing, the men's elite field might just be even more fired up as riders are eager to move up the ranks.
Men's start.
Mathias Fluckiger was on fire today with an early lead that was eventually taken by Absalon.
Mont-Ste-Anne claimed its victims today.
Matthias Fluckiger opened up the race as he sped away.
Absalon didn't take the lead until around the third lap. After that, he didn't look back.
Jordan Sarrou had the ride of his season today finishing in fifth place.
Absalon closes the gap on Fluckiger.
Although temperatures dropped slightly, the air felt thick in Mont-Ste-Anne. A relentless course made even the best riders suffer. Maxime Marotte was no exception.
Matthias Stirnemann in a bit of dark woods on his way to fourth place.
Victor Koretzky had a great day out today taking second place in the last race before the games.
Julien Absalon's list of victories keeps growing.
Jordan Sarrou made his way up to the front of the race. Matthias Fluckiger briefly faded, but came back strong to finish in third.
Reading a book. No better way to kill time in between laps.
Not an easy victory, but concluded in true Absalon style as he pulled away from the competition.
3rd for Matthias Fluckiger.
Manny Fumic didn't have the day he was looking for. He finished in 16th.
MSA isn't an easy course. It burns some more than others.
Bottles wait to be uncorked.
MENTIONS: @mdelorme / @ikeizer
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The men's will be Schurter's to lose.