Reaching the Boiling Point: Lenzerheide XCO World Cup, Elite Men and Women
After the thrashing the XC racers gave themselves at Worlds last week, they were at it again here in Lenzerheide this weekend. This time, they were racing at 1,500 meters of elevation and like last year at Lenzerheide, it was hot. The forecast was for thundershowers today, but they never materialized which meant racers were out in the blazing heat and powdery dust putting themselves well into the hurt box. Ice was in high demand to keep cool during warm up, and the call-up boxes were nearly completely covered by umbrellas.
Jenny Rissveds has had an impressive season so far, and today she took her first win as a pro. Rissveds passed Annika Langvad on the last lap after leading for most of the race. Jolanda Neff had a tough time here last year but redeemed herself today on home soil taking third place. Nino Schurter played a little cat and mouse with Kulhavy on the opening lap, but then turned up the gas and took off for the rest of the race passing a few back markers in the process. Julien Absalon took second for the men and Maxime Marotte continued his top-notch season with another third place finish. Now that the dust has settled the racers can take a few weeks off before MSA and then it's off to the games.
Rissveds must have known the sky was the limit today when she got to the start.
The women head out into the heat of the day.
Jolanda Neff was flying down Heidi's Hell, Neff had a much better day in Lenzerheide than she did last year.
Jenny Rissveds was on the gas today. She added her first pro win to what has been an impressive season already.
Alessandra Keller charging hard to sixth place.
Annika Langvad was out front for most of the race but Rissveds would pass her on the last lap.
Maja Wloszczowska had a much better day that she did at worlds last week. Maja finished fifth.
Katarina Nash had a roaring good day out on the dusty Lenzerheide course. Nash took fourth.
World Champion in the U23 category, Jenny Rissveds, taking the win in the elite women's field today in Lenzerheide.
In a race which thrived once again, with riders taking the lead in turns, Jolanda Neff ultimately finished in third.
Hiding from the sun.
Pre-race cooling for Nino Schurter as temperatures reached tropical levels in Lenzerheide.
Nerves raging throughout the start zone for both riders and staff as the race is about to get going.
An uphill start saw riders charging hard.
Jaroslav Kulhavy leading Nino into lap two.
Jaroslav Kulhavy was out for revenge as Nino Schurter bested him before his home crowd a week earlier.
Two phones, just to make sure. #myphoneisbetterthanyours
Julien Absalon pushed hard today in the heat and took second.
Battle of the mountain bike superpowers. The French and the Swiss both have an arsenal of riders at their disposal. Maxime Marotte riding in second position here. He'd finish in third, after Absalon.
Victor Koretzky met the man with the hammer in his last laps, falling from third position in the race to 13th.
Schurter pleasing the crowd. The course in Lenzerheide might not be the most technical, but physically it is demanding.
Nino Schurter all but ran away with another win today.
Julien Absalon pushed hard today in the heat and took second.
Jaroslav is in good form right now. Can it last until the Olympics? Kulhavy took fourth today.
Riding into his last lap, proving his confidence, Schurter whips it up.
Maxime Marotte trying his best to cool down.
It was hot, dry, and dusty out there today, and it pushed riders to the brink.
Fontana dug deep today. Many riders struggled with the heat and dust, collapsing as their bodies' reserves had been exhausted.
Nino and Julien once again showing mutual respect for each other at the finish line.
Sometimes you give it your all and it doesn't go to plan.
MENTIONS: @mdelorme / @ikeizer
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Much respect to Absalon and Marotte too. I think Absalon knew he wasn't on Nino's pace that day, but his last couple laps were beastly. Felt awful for Marotte as Absalon just blasted right by him - he put on one hell of an effort and we're going to see a lot more of him in the future.
then DH and FR came along and changed everything!
MY GOD that guy is cold and not funny !! A true Swiss man.
The best of the best would be Schurter on the track and Kulhavy/Fontana/Fumic/Hermida (pick the one you like) when the race is over to make a bit of a show...