Reign Supreme - XC Finals Photo Epic

Jul 4, 2016
by Matthew DeLorme  
XC Worlds


REIGN SUPREME

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY MATTHEW DELORME & IRMO KEIZER





The animals in the forest of Nove Mesto have all decided to flee to some place far away and quiet. Their peaceful little woods has been invaded by what is one of the loudest, largest crowds of MTB fans in recent memory. If numbers are correct, some 50,000 people bought tickets to the XC World Championships today. There is no describing the deafening sound this crowd makes, and riding through it must be unnerving. Eardrums everywhere will be ringing for days. On this final day of XC World Championships, we saw Nino Schurter take a commanding victory, and his teammate, Jenny Rissvids rode away with the gold in the U23 women. Czech favorite Jaroslav Kulhavy had an amazing ride up at the front battling with Julien Absalon right down to the last lap before taking the silver. Julien Absalon was in great form today, but it wasn't enough for the top spot in the end. Now it's time for a couple days rest before Lenzerheide and then it's time focus all attention on the games. If this weekend is any indication of how they will play out, Rio should be incredible. It still may be awhile before any wildlife feels it's safe to return to the forests of Nove Mesto.

The Kulhavy crowd was up bright and early to spread their enthusiasm for the day.
The Kulhavy crowd was up bright and early to spread their enthusiasm for the day.

U23 women out head out for battle.
U23 women out head out for battle.

Alessandra Keller pushing hard to catch up to Jenny Rissveds.
Alessandra Keller pushing hard to catch up to Jenny Rissveds.

The crowds were next level. Racers ears are going to be ringing for days.
The crowds were next level. Racers' ears are going to be ringing for days.

If you can t Rock n Roll Walk n Roll.
If you can't Rock n Roll, Walk n Roll.

Alessandra Keller powering her way to third in U23 women.
Alessandra Keller powering her way to third in U23 women.

The Czech fans shouting Skye Davidson from Zimbabwe onwards.
The Czech fans shouting Skye Davidson from Zimbabwe onwards.

Alessandra Keller leads the pack followed by Sina Frei Evie Richards and Jenny Rissveds. A pack of highly talented riders will be entering the elite field.
Alessandra Keller leads the pack followed by Sina Frei, Evie Richards and Jenny Rissveds. A pack of highly talented riders will be entering the elite field.

Jenny Rissvids was in a class all her own today.
Jenny Rissvids was in a class all her own today.

The art of the perfect hand off.
The art of the perfect hand off.

A crash early on cost Evie Richards who finished fourth.
A crash early on cost Evie Richards, who finished fourth.

Dutch speedskater Anne Tauber is one to watch for the future. In her first season on the mountainbike she has won two bronze medals in World Cups. In Nove Mesto she finished in 6th despite a crash.
Dutch speedskater Anne Tauber is one to watch for the future. In her first season on the mountain bike she has won two bronze medals in World Cups. In Nove Mesto she finished in 6th, despite a crash.

Powering away from the field Jenny Rissveds left no doubt as to who was strongest today.
Powering away from the field, Jenny Rissveds left no doubt as to who was strongest today.

Sina Frei can be added to the list of Swiss weapons.
Sina Frei can be added to the list of Swiss weapons.

That moment of disbelief. A face we got very used to seeing this weekend.
That moment of disbelief. A face we got very used to seeing this weekend.

All that s left is to watch the others cross the line.
All that's left is to watch the others cross the line.

Pauline Ferrand-Prevot at Julien Absalon s side. This lady is tough after crashing hard yesterday she replied it s all ok .
Pauline Ferrand-Prevot at Julien Absalon's side. This lady is tough, after crashing hard yesterday she replied 'It's all ok'.

KS Lev s dropper seatpost is rocking on more and more XC bikes like on Florian Vogel s.
KS' Lev dropper seat post is being rocked on more and more XC bikes, Florian Vogel's included.

It is all about bells and whistles in Nove Mesto.
It is all about bells and whistles in Nove Mesto.

This man is responsible for random outbursts of the French national anthem. Better than non stop horns and air raid sirens in you ears.
This man is responsible for random outbursts of the French national anthem. Better than non stop horns and air raid sirens in you ears.

Reveling is hard work. Best to take a union break and have a beer.
Reveling is hard work. Best to take a union break and have a beer.

Beno modified his Jaroslav shirt to Ninjaslav. Because it was ninja time.
Beno modified his Jaroslav shirt to Ninjaslav. Because it was ninja time.

The men s elite field is off under blue skies and a perfect temperature.
The men's elite field is off under blue skies and a perfect temperature.

Loads and loads of people everywhere.
Loads and loads of people everywhere.

Jaroslav leading Nino up the hill on lap one.
Jaroslav leading Nino up the hill on lap one.

Jaro had home track advantage today but it wasn t enough to fight off Nino.
Jaro had home track advantage today, but it wasn't enough to fight off Nino.

Julien Absalon was trucking in the BMX section. Absalon took third today
Julien Absalon was trucking in the BMX section. Absalon took third today

This race proved tough to call. At first Kulhavy seemed to be on fire but Cink Absalon and Schurter were quick to follow. Then finally Schurter gained the upper hand. Absalon and Kulhavy trying to close the gap.
This race proved tough to call. At first Kulhavy seemed to be on fire, but Cink, Absalon and Schurter were quick to follow. Then finally, Schurter gained the upper hand. Absalon and Kulhavy trying to close the gap.

Carlos Coloma whips up the crowd.
Carlos Coloma whips up the crowd.

Schurter overtook Kulhavy flying down the rockgarden. Cink in third.
Schurter overtook Kulhavy, flying down the rockgarden. Cink in third.

Stephane Tempier had a strong ride to fifth place.
Stephane Tempier had a strong ride to fifth place.

Nino over taking the back markers on the Shimano Expert Climb. He was moving fast indeed.
Nino overtaking the back markers on the Shimano Expert Climb. He was moving fast indeed.

Kulhavy in touch with Absalon before he over took Julien on the last lap.
Kulhavy in touch with Absalon before he overtook Julien on the last lap.

Ondrej Cink was looking sharp today as he battled up front.
Ondrej Cink was looking sharp today as he battled up front.

Sergio Mantecon digging deep.
Sergio Mantecon digging deep.

Once again the victor. Now there is one last bit of gold to collect in just over thirty days.
Once again the victor. Now there is one last bit of gold to collect in just over thirty days.

Brothers are always there with a kind word at race end.
Brothers are always there with a kind word at race end.

Kulhavy put up one hell of a fight.
Kulhavy put up one hell of a fight.

The Spanish team sharing an excellent overall performance.
The Spanish team sharing an excellent overall performance.

Sergio Mantecon feeling the hard effort of the day. Mantecon took seventh.
Sergio Mantecon feeling the hard effort of the day. Mantecon took seventh.

The cycling colors. A dream for many a reality for a select few.
The cycling colors. A dream for many, a reality for a select few.

Schurter spraying champagne. Kulhavy in second Absalon in third.
Schurter spraying champagne. Kulhavy in second, Absalon in third.


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68 Comments
  • 40 0
 50,000!? That's fantastic!
  • 3 6
 It says 50'000 paid.....Do you think they bought tickets?
  • 9 0
 @RLEnglish: A total of about 57,600 people in five days.
  • 6 0
 @MichalHofi: how cool is that!
  • 4 2
 @ikeizer: 2013 IBU World Championships Biathlon visited 201,500 people in 8 days!
  • 4 1
 @MichalHofi:

imgflip.com/readImage?iid=20749423
  • 2 0
 @MichalHofi: 8 days, that is cheating Wink
  • 29 1
 Damn though a new version of the Reign had been released.
  • 33 0
 Giant have acquired Kona. Enter the Reign Supreme!
  • 3 0
 @slowrider73: well played sir
  • 3 2
 @slowrider73: and than....Giant Cadabbra Big Grin
  • 3 0
 So, a Giant Stinky Air might be in the works?
  • 18 1
 N1NO!
  • 15 1
 Mountain bike is a beautifull sport. Doesn't matter if XC or DH... bikes on dirt is awesome
  • 10 0
 Looks like the Dugast tubular a are a thing of the past for Nino, but his team mate Jenny gets to use them now?

Wicked coverage.
  • 7 0
 Yeah interesting. He got 2 flats at the wc tound in France on his first official outing on 29. Now looks like hes switched to 29 and has switched tyres. Hmmm
  • 9 0
 Curious as well that Nino opted for the XMC 1200 wheelset over the XRC 1200 wheelset he had on the bike before the race. Only 50g difference, but I wonder if he's trying to replicate the feel of the tubulars with the larger rim width of the XMC.
  • 3 0
 @jmusuperman: Nino its fed up with flat tires. You'll likely see him race tubeless from now on, including the Olympics.
  • 6 0
 @slowrider73:
So back to basic and the 29er tires sure aren't holding him back on the climbs.
  • 3 0
 I thought that maybe Dugast isn't making tubular mtb tires in 29 because Jenny is still on 27.5.
  • 1 0
 So I can't figure out what tires Nino was riding. I can see the "prototype" stampings, but I cannot recognize the tread or sidewall.

I'm sure someone recognizes exactly what tires those are, can you enlighten me?
  • 5 0
 @hellanorcal: Maxxis Aspens.
  • 1 0
 @slowrider73: i think it'll depend on how technical the terrain is. if its gonna be vallnord and the like, he'll probably switch to 650b; otherwise he'll use a 29 (we'll have to see). but judging from his performance yesterday, i think he'll use his 29" more often Smile

re switching of tires, maybe its gonna be custom-made by maxxis and dugast. its possible since both companies have partnered in the past i think.
  • 1 0
 @WhatAboutBob: looks like a different tread, closer to the maxxlite than the aspen
  • 1 0
 @aidanbrown559: they have 29"
  • 1 0
 I've seen him ride some Ritchey branded tyres, and since he's sponsored by them it's only logical to be them
  • 2 0
 @KotsosK: Yea he rides the ritcheys for training and long races wheres punter resistance is more important than weight. But if you look at the bike check in the article from a couple days ago he is clearly running unbranded aspens.
  • 1 0
 @aidanbrown559: Yeah, you're right. In the bike check the tread pattern is definetely Aspen but I didn't give it much thought, the could have copied it, it's not uncommon
  • 11 0
 Czech brought it's A game to the sport. Mountain Biking is killing it right now!
  • 6 0
 hard to believe it's the same sport as things like the "fest" series...
mtb is killing it

bravo!
  • 9 2
 must be super depressing for 99% of the riders knowing they are fighting for 4th place, barring issues with top 3 guys...
hard to believe guys still even want to race...
dh, enduro, & bmx all have top guys, but the rest of the field is right there to pounce...
doesn't seem to be the case in xc
  • 8 0
 Well done Matthew DeLorme and Irmo Keizer well done!!! THANK you for all your work on this championship!
  • 5 0
 Thanks man. Nove Mesto is a blast to do. I say we charter your crowd and ship them to all venues ????????????.
  • 1 0
 @ikeizer: UCI would have to pay :-D :-D :-D
  • 5 0
 All these punters and journalists saying SRAM eagle is unnecessary and only for unfit people etc etc and yet the man who got 4th at the xc champs was using the granny cog on his eagle cassette, so I'm guessing all of those who are to good/fit for eagle are top three world championship level fit? Because of you placed fourth or lower it might actually be useful
  • 8 1
 Good racing. Couldn't give a shit about the corporate shitmess and contrived course at Rio.
  • 5 1
 Yep. Screw the Olympics.
  • 5 0
 Incredible athletes and an absolutely insane crowd. Great to see Kulhavy up there at home. Getting pumped for Rio.
  • 5 0
 "Carlos Coloma whips up the crowd"
...meanwhile old dude not impressed.
  • 5 0
 There is only one reason why you'd do this in a XC race - crowd pleasing. Doing that at world champs, when riding in good position, hell yeah that is cool.
  • 4 0
 JARO KULHAVY is our boss! I was there,perfect atmosphere,ears still ringing Big Grin
  • 3 0
 Guess it's because of my bmx rim and dh bars rings :-D sorry mate! The atmosphere was awesome!
  • 2 0
 @raidenCZE: Haha ,sooo thank you very much! Big Grin The world needs more fans like you! Big Grin
  • 2 0
 Webcast replay? Maybe i'm not looking at the right places but can't find any...
I would love to see the races!

Anyone knows?
Cheers
  • 6 0
 Red Bull TV

www.redbull.tv/live/AP-1KRDTX4WH2111/uci-mtb-and-trials-world-championships
  • 6 0
 www.redbull.tv/live/AP-1KRDTX4WH2111/uci-mtb-and-trials-world-championships
  • 2 0
 Guy just left of the cup (in the photo of the guy holding up a cup) in the blue shirt, combo of Gee Atherton and Thomas Genon
  • 2 0
 The race coverage, the detailed bike pics, This is why I log into Pinkbike to start my day! The best MTB site on the web! Thank you!
  • 3 0
 I need a Specialized gnome hat.
  • 1 0
 Take a close look at the opening picture: Nino jubilating but no one looks at him. The crowd went crazy for their hero. Who cares about 1.place.
  • 1 0
 Wow those conditions look fantastic. Sun coming through the trees like that. Beautiful!
  • 2 0
 Awesome race, awesome crowd and those top guys are insane... Smile
  • 1 0
 maybe a little too insane...
  • 3 0
 Kulhavý!
  • 2 1
 These XC race bikes keep merging more and more towards the trail AM category.
  • 1 0
 Loved it great race great that it was on television in New Zealand, now i hope they play the DH world champs too
  • 1 0
 Great report. It’s a pity that PB have not covered the Marathon world championship last month.
  • 1 0
 Future so bright for Rissveds! Nino has obviously found more speed now he's on a 29er!
  • 2 0
 what a crowd!!
  • 1 0
 Looks like a blast!
  • 1 0
 just try to not get lapped by nino... so much fun
  • 1 0
 N1no Hero !!!! Smile
  • 1 1
 Awesome!
  • 1 3
 Ya mum
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