[UPDATED] Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Val Di Sole XC World Cup 2023
The results are in from the fourth Elite XC World Cup in Val Di Sole.
Another World Cup and another dominant performance from Puck Pieterse as she continues to impress in 2023.
From the off Puck Pieterse was looking strong and after the first full lap a gap of 41 seconds was created that would prove impossible to close even with a final lap mistake. Martina Berta couldn't quite secure a win at home but she still ends the weekend with a 2nd place finish. Rebecca Henderson looks to be back on form as she powered her way to 3rd place. Pauline Ferrand Prevot had another tough weekend as she had a big crash in the woods ending her chances for a podium finish.
After taking her third World Cup win in 2023 Puck Pieterse said: "I decided to go for it from the start, then it was just riding my own pace and trying not to fall back. Yeah, it worked again so it's apparently a good tactic."
Following his worst World Cup finish in Leogang Nino Schurter proved why he is one of the greatest of all time as he took his 35th World Cup win.
Nino Schurter showed he was back to business as usual as he looked strong off the start and made sure to watch the rider around him before attacking on lap four to build a lead of over thirty seconds. No one could catch the Swiss rider as he crossed the line 26 seconds ahead of Mathias Flückiger. Newly crowned European champ Vlad Dascalu made his way through to the front and bested Joshua Dubau to the line to secure third place.
After his 35th World Cup win Nino Schurter said in a broadcast interview: "It feels really good, yeah I realised in Lenzerheide I'm in really great shape. In Leogang, it was all a bit too much just after Lenzerheide but I knew I'm in great shape and I have a really great setup on my bike. Having such a great bike working on those difficult tracks like here and Lenzerheide it goes so well. From the start on I realised I'm quite strong at the climbs as well and get smooth through those sections. It was another insane ride here in Val Di Sole. I love it here in Italy."
Check out the results below.
Results:
Elite Women
1st. Puck Pieterse: 1:19:49
2nd. Martina Berta: +52
3rd. Rebecca Henderson: +1:00
4th. Laura Stigger: +1:06
5th. Mona Mitterwallner: +1:53
Elite Men
1st. Nino Schurter: 1:20:22
2nd. Mathias Flückiger: +26
3rd. Vlad Dascalu: +38
4th. Joshua Dubau: +38
5th. Alan Hatherly: +52
The Elite Women's Race as it Happened
4:00 am PDT: The Elite Women are Off
The Elites are off the line with Jolanda Neff leading into a shortened start loop.
4:02 am PDT: Laura Stigger Takes the Lead
Laura Stigger is looking to build on her XCC win as she is straight to the front of the race.
4:05 am PDT: Puck Pieterse Leads After the Start Loop
Following the short start loop it is Puck Pieterse who leads the race followed by Jolanda Neff and Martina Berta.
4:09 am PDT: Puck Pieterse Pulls Away from Pauline Ferrand Prevot
Puck Pieterse has created a three-second gap back to 2nd-placed Pauline Ferrand Prevot.
4:15 am PDT: Puck Pieterse Leads by 15 Seconds as she Starts the Second Half of Lap 1
Puck Pieterse is off to a fast start as she has already created a large gap back to Italian racer Martina Berta.
4:20 am PDT: After Lap 1 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Puck Pieterse: 19:51
2nd. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +41
3rd. Alessandra Keller: +42
4th. Martina Berta: +42
5th. Laura Stigger: +42
4:24 am PDT: Jolanda Neff Back in 28th After a Puncture
Jolanda Neff had a great start to the race but after a puncture, has dropped back to 28th position.
4:27 am PDT: Laura Stigger Moves into 2nd
Laura Stigger has pushed through from fifth at the start of the lap to 2nd as she is looking to close the gap to Puck Pieterse.
4:32 am PDT: Pauline Ferrand Prevot Takes Back the Lead of the Chasing Group
Pauline Ferrand Prevot has gone back to 2nd place as she leads Martina Berta and Laura Stigger.
4:36 am PDT: After Lap 2 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Puck Pieterse: 34:40
2nd. Martina Berta: +54
3rd. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +54
4th. Laura Stigger: +54
5th. Rebecca Henderson: +54
4:38 am PDT: Martina Berta & Pauline Ferrand Prevot Split from the Chasing Group
Martina Berta and Pauline Ferrand Prevot have begun to separate from the chasing group as they create a five-second gap to Rebecca Henderson in 4th.
4:45 am PDT: Pauline Ferrand Prevot & Martina Berta Gain Time on Puck Pieterse
Pauline Ferrand Prevot and Martina Berta have found more than ten seconds so far on lap three as the gap to the race leader looks to be shrinking.
4:50 am PDT: After Lap 3 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Puck Pieterse: 50:11
2nd. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +53
3rd. Martina Berta: +54
4th. Laura Stigger: +1:05
5th. Rebecca Henderson: +1:05
4:57 am PDT: A Big Crash for Pauline Ferrand Prevot
It was caught off-camera, but it looks like Pauline Ferrand Prevot has been taken out in the woods.
4:59 am PDT: Pauline Ferrand Prevot is Back on the Bike
Pauline Ferrand Prevot's crash was just in front of the tech zone so she has been checked over by her team and is back out on course. Pauline is in fifth place.
5:03 am PDT: There is a Huge Battle for 5th
Currently there are six riders in the fight for 5th. The group contains Alessandra Keller, Pauline Ferrand Prevot, Jolanda Neff, Evie Richards, Mona Mitterwallner and Jenny Rissveds.
5:07 am PDT: Going into the Final Lap the Top 10 Are:
1st. Puck Pieterse: 1:04:37
2nd. Martina Berta: +59
3rd. Rebecca Henderson: +1:24
4th. Laura Stigger: +1:25
5th. Mona Mitterwallner: +2:28
6th. Jolanda Neff: +2:28
7th. Jenny Rissveds: +2:29
8th. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +2:29
9th. Evie Richards: +2:35
10th. Alessandra Keller: +2:37
5:11 am PDT: A Mistake for Puck Pieterse
Puck Pieterse struggles to find traction up one of the steep climbs, this will have cost her a decent amount of time.
5:14 am PDT: Rebecca Henderson Pulls Away from Laura Stigger
Rebecca Henderson is having a great race as she powers away from Friday's XCC winner in the battle for third place.
5:20 am PDT: Puck Pieterse Wins in Val Di Sole
Puck Pieterse has an almost flawless race in Italy as she takes another win in 2023.
The Elite Men's Race as it Happened
6:30 am PDT: The Elite Men's Racing is Underway
The final event of the week in Val Di Sole is now underway as Jordan Sarrou leads the race into the short start loop.
6:32 am PDT: Alan Hatherly Takes the Lead
Alan Hatherly has taken control of the race as the Elite Men make their way around the start loop.
6:34 am PDT: XCC Winner Luca Schwarzbauer Takes his Turn at the Front
It's Friday's XCC winner Luca Schwarzbauer who takes to the front of the race as the pace is very high amongst the top riders.
6:37 am PDT: Nino Schurter Goes into the Lead
Nino Schurter appears to be back on top form as he now leads the race, can he take a 35th World Cup win today?
6:43 am PDT: A Group of 4 Forms at the Front
Currently it is Nino Schurter, Sam Gaze, Luca Schwarzbauer and Alan Hatherly who lead into the second half of the first lap.
6:47 am PDT: After Lap 1 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Sam Gaze: 17:24
2nd. Nino Schurter: +0
3rd. Luca Schwarzbauer: +1
4th. Alan Hatherly: +2
5th. Jordan Sarrou: +12
6:51 am PDT: A Small Mistake for Sam Gaze
Sam Gaze has to put a foot down as he loses traction as he makes his way around a turn up one of the big climbs.
6:53 am PDT: Nino Schurter Builds a 5-Second Lead
Nino Schurter makes the most of the technical descents as he creates a small gap back to Sam Gaze and Luca Schwarzbauer.
6:54 am PDT: Alan Hatherly is Trying to Close the Gap to Schurter
Alan Hatherly has moved up to 2nd place as he is trying to close in on Nino Schurter.
6:59 am PDT: The Leading Pair Keep the Pace High
Alan Hatherly and Nino Schurter aren't letting up as the speed remains high and the gap to third increases to 20 seconds.
7:00 am PDT: After Lap 2 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Alan Hatherly: 29:47
2nd. Nino Schurter: +0
3rd. Luca Schwarzbauer: +19
4th. Sam Gaze: +21
5th. Joshua Dubau: +33
7:09 am PDT: The Chasing Group Catches Sam Gazes
A large chasing group has brought in Sam Gaze as seven riders battle for fourth place. Luca Schwarzbauer remains on his own 15 seconds ahead of this big group of riders.
7:13 am PDT: After Lap 3 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Alan Hatherly: 42:31
2nd. Nino Schurter: +0
3rd. Mathias Flückiger: +33
4th. Luca Schwarzbauer: +34
5th. Maxime Marotte: +34
7:14 am PDT: Nino Schurter Picks Up the Pace
Nino Schurter has increased the speed at the front but so far Alan Hatherly goes with him.
7:16 am PDT: Alan Hatherly Can't Keep Up
Alan Hatherly is suffering as the high pace from Schurter is too much.
7:18 am PDT: Nino Schurter Creates an 11-Second Gap to Alan Hatherly
The gap to 2nd-placed Alan Hatherly is already sitting at 11 seconds.
7:23 am PDT: The Gap from 1st to 2nd Stays Around 10 Seconds
Nino Schurter is still pushing hard but the gap isn't growing. Nino will want to pick up the pace as Mathias Flückiger is gaining time and is only 20 seconds behind.
7:26 am PDT: After Lap 4 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Nino Schurter: 54:52
2nd. Alan Hatherly: +31
3rd. Mathias Flückiger: +41
4th. Joshua Dubau: +1:00
5th. Jordan Sarrou: +1:00
7:31 am PDT: Mathias Flückiger Catches Alan Hatherly
Mathias Flückiger is now just two seconds behind Alan Hatherly as the battle for 2nd heats up with one and a half laps left.
7:36 am PDT: Mathias Flückiger Moves into 2nd
Mathias Flückiger has overtaken Alan Hatherly and is starting to pull ahead.
7:38 am PDT: Going into the Final Lap the Top 5 Are:
1st. Nino Schurter: 1:07:33
2nd. Mathias Flückiger: +41
3rd. Alan Hatherly: +48
4th. Joshua Dubau: +1:02
5th. Vlad Dascalu: +1:12
7:43 am PDT: Vlad Dascalu & Joshua Dubau Put Pressure on Alan Hatherly
Vlad Dascalu and Joshua Dubau have got on the rear wheel of Alan Hatherly as we have a big final lap fight for the podium positions.
7:45 am PDT: Alan Hatherly Drops to 5th
After a strong start Alan Hatherly is struggling to hold onto the podium as both Vlad Dascalu and Joshua Dubau ride past.
7:51 am PDT: Nino Schurter Makes it 35 World Cup Wins in Val Di Sole
Nino Schurter continues to make history and prove he is one of the greatest of all time as he takes another World Cup win.
Full Results:
Elite Women
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Elite Men
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Overall Standings:
Elite Women
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Elite Men
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Another World Cup and another dominant performance from Puck Pieterse as she continues to impress in 2023.
From the off Puck Pieterse was looking strong and after the first full lap a gap of 41 seconds was created that would prove impossible to close even with a final lap mistake. Martina Berta couldn't quite secure a win at home but she still ends the weekend with a 2nd place finish. Rebecca Henderson looks to be back on form as she powered her way to 3rd place. Pauline Ferrand Prevot had another tough weekend as she had a big crash in the woods ending her chances for a podium finish.
After taking her third World Cup win in 2023 Puck Pieterse said: "I decided to go for it from the start, then it was just riding my own pace and trying not to fall back. Yeah, it worked again so it's apparently a good tactic."
Following his worst World Cup finish in Leogang Nino Schurter proved why he is one of the greatest of all time as he took his 35th World Cup win.
Nino Schurter showed he was back to business as usual as he looked strong off the start and made sure to watch the rider around him before attacking on lap four to build a lead of over thirty seconds. No one could catch the Swiss rider as he crossed the line 26 seconds ahead of Mathias Flückiger. Newly crowned European champ Vlad Dascalu made his way through to the front and bested Joshua Dubau to the line to secure third place.
After his 35th World Cup win Nino Schurter said in a broadcast interview: "It feels really good, yeah I realised in Lenzerheide I'm in really great shape. In Leogang, it was all a bit too much just after Lenzerheide but I knew I'm in great shape and I have a really great setup on my bike. Having such a great bike working on those difficult tracks like here and Lenzerheide it goes so well. From the start on I realised I'm quite strong at the climbs as well and get smooth through those sections. It was another insane ride here in Val Di Sole. I love it here in Italy."
Check out the results below.
Results:
Elite Women
1st. Puck Pieterse: 1:19:49
2nd. Martina Berta: +52
3rd. Rebecca Henderson: +1:00
4th. Laura Stigger: +1:06
5th. Mona Mitterwallner: +1:53
Elite Men
1st. Nino Schurter: 1:20:22
2nd. Mathias Flückiger: +26
3rd. Vlad Dascalu: +38
4th. Joshua Dubau: +38
5th. Alan Hatherly: +52
The Elite Women's Race as it Happened
4:00 am PDT: The Elite Women are Off
The Elites are off the line with Jolanda Neff leading into a shortened start loop.
4:02 am PDT: Laura Stigger Takes the Lead
Laura Stigger is looking to build on her XCC win as she is straight to the front of the race.
4:05 am PDT: Puck Pieterse Leads After the Start Loop
Following the short start loop it is Puck Pieterse who leads the race followed by Jolanda Neff and Martina Berta.
4:09 am PDT: Puck Pieterse Pulls Away from Pauline Ferrand Prevot
Puck Pieterse has created a three-second gap back to 2nd-placed Pauline Ferrand Prevot.
4:15 am PDT: Puck Pieterse Leads by 15 Seconds as she Starts the Second Half of Lap 1
Puck Pieterse is off to a fast start as she has already created a large gap back to Italian racer Martina Berta.
4:20 am PDT: After Lap 1 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Puck Pieterse: 19:51
2nd. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +41
3rd. Alessandra Keller: +42
4th. Martina Berta: +42
5th. Laura Stigger: +42
4:24 am PDT: Jolanda Neff Back in 28th After a Puncture
Jolanda Neff had a great start to the race but after a puncture, has dropped back to 28th position.
4:27 am PDT: Laura Stigger Moves into 2nd
Laura Stigger has pushed through from fifth at the start of the lap to 2nd as she is looking to close the gap to Puck Pieterse.
4:32 am PDT: Pauline Ferrand Prevot Takes Back the Lead of the Chasing Group
Pauline Ferrand Prevot has gone back to 2nd place as she leads Martina Berta and Laura Stigger.
4:36 am PDT: After Lap 2 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Puck Pieterse: 34:40
2nd. Martina Berta: +54
3rd. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +54
4th. Laura Stigger: +54
5th. Rebecca Henderson: +54
4:38 am PDT: Martina Berta & Pauline Ferrand Prevot Split from the Chasing Group
Martina Berta and Pauline Ferrand Prevot have begun to separate from the chasing group as they create a five-second gap to Rebecca Henderson in 4th.
4:45 am PDT: Pauline Ferrand Prevot & Martina Berta Gain Time on Puck Pieterse
Pauline Ferrand Prevot and Martina Berta have found more than ten seconds so far on lap three as the gap to the race leader looks to be shrinking.
4:50 am PDT: After Lap 3 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Puck Pieterse: 50:11
2nd. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +53
3rd. Martina Berta: +54
4th. Laura Stigger: +1:05
5th. Rebecca Henderson: +1:05
4:57 am PDT: A Big Crash for Pauline Ferrand Prevot
It was caught off-camera, but it looks like Pauline Ferrand Prevot has been taken out in the woods.
4:59 am PDT: Pauline Ferrand Prevot is Back on the Bike
Pauline Ferrand Prevot's crash was just in front of the tech zone so she has been checked over by her team and is back out on course. Pauline is in fifth place.
5:03 am PDT: There is a Huge Battle for 5th
Currently there are six riders in the fight for 5th. The group contains Alessandra Keller, Pauline Ferrand Prevot, Jolanda Neff, Evie Richards, Mona Mitterwallner and Jenny Rissveds.
5:07 am PDT: Going into the Final Lap the Top 10 Are:
1st. Puck Pieterse: 1:04:37
2nd. Martina Berta: +59
3rd. Rebecca Henderson: +1:24
4th. Laura Stigger: +1:25
5th. Mona Mitterwallner: +2:28
6th. Jolanda Neff: +2:28
7th. Jenny Rissveds: +2:29
8th. Pauline Ferrand Prevot: +2:29
9th. Evie Richards: +2:35
10th. Alessandra Keller: +2:37
5:11 am PDT: A Mistake for Puck Pieterse
Puck Pieterse struggles to find traction up one of the steep climbs, this will have cost her a decent amount of time.
5:14 am PDT: Rebecca Henderson Pulls Away from Laura Stigger
Rebecca Henderson is having a great race as she powers away from Friday's XCC winner in the battle for third place.
5:20 am PDT: Puck Pieterse Wins in Val Di Sole
Puck Pieterse has an almost flawless race in Italy as she takes another win in 2023.
The Elite Men's Race as it Happened
6:30 am PDT: The Elite Men's Racing is Underway
The final event of the week in Val Di Sole is now underway as Jordan Sarrou leads the race into the short start loop.
6:32 am PDT: Alan Hatherly Takes the Lead
Alan Hatherly has taken control of the race as the Elite Men make their way around the start loop.
6:34 am PDT: XCC Winner Luca Schwarzbauer Takes his Turn at the Front
It's Friday's XCC winner Luca Schwarzbauer who takes to the front of the race as the pace is very high amongst the top riders.
6:37 am PDT: Nino Schurter Goes into the Lead
Nino Schurter appears to be back on top form as he now leads the race, can he take a 35th World Cup win today?
6:43 am PDT: A Group of 4 Forms at the Front
Currently it is Nino Schurter, Sam Gaze, Luca Schwarzbauer and Alan Hatherly who lead into the second half of the first lap.
6:47 am PDT: After Lap 1 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Sam Gaze: 17:24
2nd. Nino Schurter: +0
3rd. Luca Schwarzbauer: +1
4th. Alan Hatherly: +2
5th. Jordan Sarrou: +12
6:51 am PDT: A Small Mistake for Sam Gaze
Sam Gaze has to put a foot down as he loses traction as he makes his way around a turn up one of the big climbs.
6:53 am PDT: Nino Schurter Builds a 5-Second Lead
Nino Schurter makes the most of the technical descents as he creates a small gap back to Sam Gaze and Luca Schwarzbauer.
6:54 am PDT: Alan Hatherly is Trying to Close the Gap to Schurter
Alan Hatherly has moved up to 2nd place as he is trying to close in on Nino Schurter.
6:59 am PDT: The Leading Pair Keep the Pace High
Alan Hatherly and Nino Schurter aren't letting up as the speed remains high and the gap to third increases to 20 seconds.
7:00 am PDT: After Lap 2 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Alan Hatherly: 29:47
2nd. Nino Schurter: +0
3rd. Luca Schwarzbauer: +19
4th. Sam Gaze: +21
5th. Joshua Dubau: +33
7:09 am PDT: The Chasing Group Catches Sam Gazes
A large chasing group has brought in Sam Gaze as seven riders battle for fourth place. Luca Schwarzbauer remains on his own 15 seconds ahead of this big group of riders.
7:13 am PDT: After Lap 3 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Alan Hatherly: 42:31
2nd. Nino Schurter: +0
3rd. Mathias Flückiger: +33
4th. Luca Schwarzbauer: +34
5th. Maxime Marotte: +34
7:14 am PDT: Nino Schurter Picks Up the Pace
Nino Schurter has increased the speed at the front but so far Alan Hatherly goes with him.
7:16 am PDT: Alan Hatherly Can't Keep Up
Alan Hatherly is suffering as the high pace from Schurter is too much.
7:18 am PDT: Nino Schurter Creates an 11-Second Gap to Alan Hatherly
The gap to 2nd-placed Alan Hatherly is already sitting at 11 seconds.
7:23 am PDT: The Gap from 1st to 2nd Stays Around 10 Seconds
Nino Schurter is still pushing hard but the gap isn't growing. Nino will want to pick up the pace as Mathias Flückiger is gaining time and is only 20 seconds behind.
7:26 am PDT: After Lap 4 the Top 5 Are:
1st. Nino Schurter: 54:52
2nd. Alan Hatherly: +31
3rd. Mathias Flückiger: +41
4th. Joshua Dubau: +1:00
5th. Jordan Sarrou: +1:00
7:31 am PDT: Mathias Flückiger Catches Alan Hatherly
Mathias Flückiger is now just two seconds behind Alan Hatherly as the battle for 2nd heats up with one and a half laps left.
7:36 am PDT: Mathias Flückiger Moves into 2nd
Mathias Flückiger has overtaken Alan Hatherly and is starting to pull ahead.
7:38 am PDT: Going into the Final Lap the Top 5 Are:
1st. Nino Schurter: 1:07:33
2nd. Mathias Flückiger: +41
3rd. Alan Hatherly: +48
4th. Joshua Dubau: +1:02
5th. Vlad Dascalu: +1:12
7:43 am PDT: Vlad Dascalu & Joshua Dubau Put Pressure on Alan Hatherly
Vlad Dascalu and Joshua Dubau have got on the rear wheel of Alan Hatherly as we have a big final lap fight for the podium positions.
7:45 am PDT: Alan Hatherly Drops to 5th
After a strong start Alan Hatherly is struggling to hold onto the podium as both Vlad Dascalu and Joshua Dubau ride past.
7:51 am PDT: Nino Schurter Makes it 35 World Cup Wins in Val Di Sole
Nino Schurter continues to make history and prove he is one of the greatest of all time as he takes another World Cup win.
Full Results:
Elite Women
Elite Men
Overall Standings:
Elite Women
Elite Men
Author Info:
Member since Mar 16, 2017
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I think there was one in the Top 10 of the U23 races...but the talent isn't coming through - or is going to other disciplines....mainly CX/Road.
The common thread here is that they have both had excellent short track results. Maybe strange for me as an amateur armchair observer to suggest this, but the other commonality is that they both frequently have issues with pacing, and holding their pace through a complete XCO.
During his better moments he still looks super strong, especially in XCC. Just wish he'd work on getting some *good* results first, instead of going out there in the opening laps pacing himself as if he's going for the win. That might give him a better foundation to build on and use as a starting point to go for wins again.
I'm just spit-balling, as I don't know. We'd have to ask Sam himself
But he is the current Marathon World Champ. And he has a large number of "good" results in other high level (but non-World Cup) events. So clearly he has the ability to pace himself well.