Fog lifted as nerves started twitching around La Massana. Elite race day. It all accumulates to this one day. One chance for a jersey desired by many yet won by few. Crowds gather as clouds disperse. Welcome to elite race day.
Prior to starting the women's race, it was extremely hard to call today's winner. We've seen Annika Langvad in incredible form lately. Irina Kalienteva is always a podium contender, Jolanda Neff, Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesjaa, Catharine Pendrel. Shuffle the pack and draw a card. The women are off.
Six laps was a bit long for the women's field, causing them to ride for almost two hours. The men had to race the same amount of laps, on a course which had dried quite a bit. As with the women, the winner was all but certain. The Schurter-Absalon battle was a safe call, but could Manuel Fumic or Florian Vogel surprise friend and foe?
Tears of joy were shed as today's races ended. We've witnessed some tremendous racing as riders fought for that much wanted title. The XCO riders headed off for their after party, and today marks race day for the downhillers. With a course unforgiving and long, riders are poised to prove themselves, prepare yourself for another exciting day of World Championships racing in Andorra.
About the PhotographersIrmo Keizer • Age: 36 • Years Shooting: 10 Irmo Keizer has been mountain biking since high school. Irmo loves nature, technical trails and landscapes and dislikes too many race lines and fire roads. Irmo has a strong passion for all sorts of mountain bike disciplines ranging from cross country, to enduro and downhill. Combining his passion of mountain biking and photography ten years ago, Irmo has been working as a photographer/editor in mountain biking ever since. Matthew Delorme • Age: 40 • Years Shooting: 8 Matthew DeLorme is just one of Pinkbike’s motley crew of World Cup Photographers. He currently lives out of a Ogio bag, and calls the road his home. Delorme works for Trek Bicycle, covering their MTB racing programs. He can usually be found laying in the dirt trackside, cracking jokes and saying things that make little to no sense. He enjoys capturing accessory moments and the journey every bit as much as catching the action shot.
Well, quite unacceptable behavior….
"During the 2015 season, aged just 23, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot became the first person ever - in the history of cycling - to simultaneously hold the World road title, World cyclo-cross title and World mountain bike title."
That's an amazing feat.
I see quite a few of the ladies using their middle finger to brake. Any reasoning behind that?
Im really liking Cink. Glad he got the national champ win too.