Albstadt received some well deserved sun rays this morning, greeting participants and spectators as competition began with the women and men's junior races. Gasping for air, they made their way to the finish of the very physical course
The Germans have it covered.
Albstadt's locals taking a glance at all the action happening at their doorstep.
The women's junior field taking off. Albstadt's course would prove one tough cookie for many of these young ladies, and the field got torn apart right after the first corner.
Sina Frei at the front of the women's junior field in lap one. The first ladies set a pace which proved too much for the rest of the field.
Close action during the women's race.
Reigning world champion Alessandra Keller leads the pack in the third round. Malene Degn, the Danish junior, would take over moments later and ride away to victory.
Ladies will be ladies. Long finger nails, polished and shiny. Great leverage for braking as well.
The spot for the crowds. Although attendance was sparse today, Albstadt will welcoming large crowds tomorrow.
Dead last. Yet refusing to give up. Well done Viktoriya Pastarnak.
Marshalls in Germany take their jobs seriously and encourage riders to push harder. This old frame provides some rattling motivation.
Albstadt's course might not be technical, but it does provide spectators and riders with quite some views. The trail snakes around the valley, allowing riders to track their opponents and try to catch up. Malene Degn tears the field apart.
Young German spectators cheer the riders up one of Albstadt's steep climbs. With the weather looking good, tomorrow is poised to be an awesome spectator packed race day.
The 'Albstadt' drop got taken out last year due to an extremely slippery landing. This year's drop got toned down, and to be honest, does not deserve to be called a drop off.
One sure sign which proves you are in Germany is sausage or hamburgers. And beer. Loads of it.
Did we say beer? Beer! Completely oblivious to the race going on right behind their backs, these guys taste some of Germany's finest brews.
Chilling out at the women's junior podium.
Totally enjoying the event, mesmerized by the warm up routine of the junior men who are about to start.
A cooling vest is not yet in his arsenal as Milan Vader uses water to cool down prior to the start.
The junior men started furiously. Albstadt's track consists of lots of singletrack, in which overtaking is no easy task.
Luca Schwarzbauer leads on the uppermost part of the track.
You know you're at a race when people start placing unnecessary tape throughout the forest.
Steep climbs. Hardly any rest. Riders gasping for air.
The Dutch might not have any mountains, but Milan Vader proves they do have young talent in mountain biking.
Riders make their way up the trails in Albstadt.
Bart Brentjens and Rob Warner check out the course. These two are the ones responsible for Red Bull's commentary during the World Cups.
Whilst not the fastest line, some riders ride to enjoy.
Fake hashtag tattoos all over the blue team.
Simon Andreassen pulling a wheelie to finish his race in style.
Luca Schwarzbauer and Simon Andreassen might just share the same hairdresser.
The first row of the U23 women's XCO, minutes prior to the start of the 2014 Albstadt World Cup.
Annemarie Worst of the Netherlands crashes during the start. Her foot got tangled in another rider's bike.
After a quick self check Annemarie Worst jumped back on her bike. She still managed to finish in 39th position.
Jenny Rissveds rides smooth, yet lacked the power to ride to the front.
Cairns had its nasty critters, but Germany is right up there. These giant red ants managed to kidnap this baby-curry wurst.
Yana Belomoina leads the race, with Margot Moschetti trailing close behind.
One lap later, Yana Belomoina finds herself in second position, with Margot Moschetti trying to get away. The two riders would battle for first position throughout the race.
The women's U23 podium. Yana Belomoina, Margot Moschetti, Lisa Rabensteiner.
Margot Moschetti carefully holding Germany's gold after winning the 2014 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Albstadt.
Day one of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Albstadt is done. Jenny Rissveds retakes the leader's jersey. Saturday is a wrap - stay tuned for men's U23 and elite action tomorrow.
I agree, great coverage. But it would have been nice to see a little bit about the american riders like Kate Courtney who's 19 and has been hitting top tens in u23 or Neilson Powless and Sean Bennet, both american juniors also getting top tens in a field of over a hundred kids.
But anyhow, I shouldn't complain, its cool to see a little XC action. Maybe it gives a new perspective to people on how sick xc can be at the world class level.
I've always been a fan of XC, but I started watching other forms of MTB and that's why I like Pinkbike so much. Now Pinkbike has become a place for all forms of MTB and I like that. Keep it going.
Good job Irmo!
Yane Belomoinoy slava! ))