Annika Langvad Pulls Out of Nove Mesto World Cup XC
Just hours ahead of today racing Annika Langvad announced on social media that she will not be racing today.
The 2016 XC World Champion and silver medalist in last year’s World Cup overall has decided to not race after not feeling "100% race fit". Rather than pushing through to secure some points, she has taken the decision to build her strength for the next round.
This morning’s news follows last weekend’s race in Albstadt, where she also pulled out of the race after only a couple of laps. Annika has always had a strong start to the season winning the first race of the season for the past three years. This year will also mark the first time in three years that Annika won't take the win here in Nove Mesto.
 | "Hi All! Sadly I won’t be racing today’s World Cup in Nove Mesto. I am far from 100% race fit. Instead of trying to push through, this time I’ve decided to pull the plug now in order to draw a line, start fresh and work on getting back. I am honestly very gutted about this. Especially since Nove Mesto is one of my favourite places to race. I will do everything I can so sort things out. See you in Andorra!" |
We hope to see Annika back up to full race speed at the next round in Andorra.
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That said, Candice Buys probably feeling the hot seat this year. Don't forget that their Cape Epic ended in failure with Jaro/Gaze.
Like I said the team is a mess at the moment...
She can retire as one of the overall greatest female cyclists of all time!
Langvad and Sauser have proven that the Epic is the most efficient xc bike out there. The spark might be lighter on paper but the Epic comes out on top everytime the race goes past 1h30min. Most ppl go for 2-3 hour mid pace rides, not 1 hour max gas - Annika is safe
Langvad, Sauser, and Stander (RIP) have given Spec plenty of return on their investment.
She is already a dentist...she can afford these $15,000 race bikes on her own. LOL
Spec has been pretty big mouthed about their athletes staying on the FS Epic while contenders were choosing HTs, because the epic was that efficient - that is marketing I would say? Reminding people that your bike has won the "hardest mtb race" x times is marketing right?
I'm not here to sell Epics, I'm arguing that Langvad has done her share to sell quite a few Epics because those bikes go forward very fast when she's pedaling them.
I am not claiming that the epic is efficient, Specialized are, I've never ridden one and I don't want to, okay?
And I would say that the difference in the bikes must account to less than 1% of performance difference among all the high end bikes racing in World Cups and marathon races.
You are so naïve this is touching.
Let me make myself clear, I do no myself believe that an S-works Epic FSR is the most efficient suspension design ever created on a cross-country style mountain bike!
The epic has been hyped as one of, if not the most efficient bike, it has the race results to back up that claim. I see that claim repeated on FB and forum posts almost daily. I don't think it is. But many people do think it is, and they buy it, because they believe what they are told.
Canyon have 2 world tour teams btw..
Canyon have 2 world tour teams btw.."
Yes and they get most of their wins from the highly successful Movistar team and very little from Katusha who's roster is not as good with their main sprinter who was failing to get to his best level and no GC/classic stars. It shows this is not about the bike.