Photo Epic: We All Fall Down - Albstadt World Cup XC

May 20, 2018 at 16:51
by Matthew DeLorme  

From 3rd row to first in the start lap. The king sent a clear message.
Photo Epic
WE ALL FALL DOWN
UCI XCO World Cup Albstadt Presented by Mercedes Benz
Photography by Matthew Delorme and Irmo Keizer

Albstadt proved to be one of the more exciting races in recent memory. In the dry, it's not the most exciting of XC courses, but in the wet... it gets wild. The rain started with thunderstorms yesterday just before the U23 men headed out, accompanied by a morning drizzle during the U23 women this morning.

The elite women had the most treacherous conditions, and nearly every rider took a spill at one point or another. The course was not playing favorites. By the time the men took off from the start, the rain had stopped and the track was tacking up, but that didn't stop the chaos.

With a mechanical DNF in Short Track on Friday, Nino Schurter found himself starting on the third row, but halfway through the start lap, he was in the lead. Sam Gaze tried to take the lead at one point, but a flat ruined his hopes of a repeat win. Nino battled it out with van der Poel, Marotte, and Tempier until he had enough messing about and took off for the win. Jolanda Neff got away early on and never looked back while the rest of the woman's field looked like it exploded.

After South Africa, there were questions of how the season would shake out going forward. Many of those questions were answered. Bluntly.

The under 23 men woke up to treacherous conditions. A slight drizzle turned the course into a slippery journey.
The under 23 men woke up to treacherous conditions. A slight drizzle turned the course into a slippery journey.

Frenchman Joshua Dubau already showed he was in form in a German race in Heubach today he bested the competition in Albstadt taking the World Cup win. Jonas Lindberg chasing Dubau here would take third.
Frenchman Joshua Dubau previously showed he was in form during a race in Heubach, Germany. Today, he bested the competition in Albstadt, taking the World Cup win. Jonas Lindberg, chasing Dubau here, would take third.

More fast Frenchies. Antoine Philipp completes the men under 23 podium with his second place.
More fast Frenchies. Antoine Philipp completes the men under 23 podium with his second-place finish.

Loic Bruni was out here in Albstadt cheering Malene Degn on.
Loic Bruni was out here in Albstadt cheering Malene Degn on.

Malene Degn couldn t hold on to the lead today. Degn finished third.
Malene Degn couldn't hold on to the lead today. Degn finished third.

Sina Frei had the power on the greasy climbs today. She took the win in U23 Women.
Sina Frei had the power on the greasy climbs today. She took the win in U23 Women.

Evie Richards took second today.
Evie Richards took second today.

photo

Not the best conditions for a white kit.
Not the best conditions for a white kit.

It was Kate Courtney who flew straight to the front but soon after Jolanda Neff overtook her and left the field in the non-existent dust.
It was Kate Courtney who flew straight to the front, but Jolanda Neff overtook her soon after and left the field in the non-existent dust.

Annika Langvad proved her form more then once this season but struggled like many others today in Albstadt. She kept it safe and focusses on races to come.
Annika Langvad has proved her form more than once this season but struggled like many others today in Albstadt. She kept it safe and focusses on races to come.

Yana Belomoina is back after an injury made her mis the first round. Fighting her way up ther field she managed to cling to second place beating her teammate Anne Tauber in the last lap.
Yana Belomoina is back after an injury made her miss the first round. Fighting her way up the field, she managed to cling to second place, beating her teammate Anne Tauber in the last lap.

Yana Belamoina rode to a well earned second place.
Yana Belamoina rode to a well earned second place.

Anne Tauber took third today in the greasy Albstadt muck.
Anne Tauber took third today in the greasy Albstadt muck.

Coming in hot. Conditions were lethal in the elite women s race.
Coming in hot. Conditions were lethal in the elite women's race.

Kate Courtney is making quite an impression after entering the elite category. Her blazing start and a solid race saw her end in 10th.
Kate Courtney is making quite an impression after entering the elite category. Her blazing start and a solid race saw her cross the finish line in 10th.

Albstadt s track is beyond slippery as soon as water touches its surface. Alessandra Keller who rode a strong race had a small hickup here. Keller finished in fourth.
Albstadt's track is beyond slippery as soon as water touches its surface. Alessandra Keller, who rode a strong race, had a small hiccup here. Keller finished in fourth.

Jolanda Neff Kross SUI
Jolanda Neff, Kross, SUI

Langvad has a look at her drive train early on.
Langvad has a look at her drive train early on.

Once Jolanda Neff got away she just kept putting ridiculous time into the field.
Once Jolanda Neff got away she just kept putting ridiculous time into the field.

Alone in a sea of people.
Alone in a sea of people.

Emily Batty takes a spill. She wasn t the only one.
Emily Batty takes a spill. She wasn't the only one.

photo

That sweet sweet feeling.
That sweet, sweet feeling.

Belomoina takes second.
Belomoina takes second.

Since years the women s elite racing has seen the most exciting action of the XCO events and today was no exception. Although Neff was untouchable the other places on the pidum were fiercely contested. Tauber goes aero for the last round.
For years, the women's elite racing has seen the most exciting action of the XCO events, and today was no exception. Although Neff was untouchable, the other places on the podium were fiercely contested. Tauber goes aero for the last round.

Neff Tauber and Belomoina hug.
Neff, Tauber and Belomoina hug.

Annie Last feeling the affects of a hard day out.
Annie Last feeling the effects of a hard day out.

Eva Lechner needed stitches after her fall.
Eva Lechner needed stitches after her fall.

Sam Gaze gave all he had in South-Africa s Stellenbosch and today he was on the hunt for more glory.
Sam Gaze gave all he had in South-Africa's Stellenbosch and today he was on the hunt for more glory.

In previous years Albstadt has been the scene of Schurter versus Absalon. Today Schurter is challenged by the likes of Van der Poel Tempier Fl ckiger Marotte Gaze and Sarrou.
In previous years, Albstadt has been the scene of Schurter versus Absalon. Today Schurter is challenged by the likes of Van der Poel, Tempier, Flückiger, Marotte, Gaze, and Sarrou.

David Valero was back from injury and rode a strong race ending in 7th.
David Valero was back from injury and rode a strong race, ending in 7th.

Mathieu van der Poel leads Nino somewhere around lap three.
Mathieu van der Poel leads Nino somewhere around lap three.

Stephane Tempier had a mega ride today. the muck wasn t slowing him down. He rode to second.
Stephane Tempier had a mega ride today. The muck wasn't slowing him down. He rode to second.

Maxime Marotte had a strong start but slipped back to fourth by the end of the race.
Maxime Marotte had a strong start but slipped back to fourth by the end of the race.

The first three laps of the race seemed promising for another challenge to Schurters supremacy but Nino Schurter would take off in lap 4 reinstating his status.
The first three laps of the race seemed promising for another challenge to Schurter's supremacy, but Nino Schurter would take off in lap 4, reinstating his status.

Matthias Fl ckiger attacked in lap three but was quickly catched by his pursuers.
Mathias Flückiger attacked in lap three but was quickly caught by his pursuers.

Marotte Fl ckiger Schurter and Forster going into lap three of the race.
Marotte, Flückiger, Schurter, and Forster going into lap three of the race.

photo

The champ. plain and simple. Nino wasn t messing about today.
The champ. plain and simple. Nino wasn't messing about today.

More common than not today. Kits showed where mistakes were made.
More common than not today. Kits showed where mistakes were made.

Fresh off a bad wrist injury Mathiew van der Poel put on another impressive performance. He took third here in Albstadt.
Fresh off a bad wrist injury Mathiew van der Poel put on another impressive performance. He took third here in Albstadt.

photo

Mathieu Van der Poel CX star running a full XCO season this year broke his hand only a short time ago and had to suffer due to this. A broken shoe made matters worse but he proved his class by finishing in thrid.
Mathieu Van der Poel, CX star running a full XCO season this year, broke his hand only a short time ago and had to suffer due to this. A broken shoe made matters worse but he proved his class by finishing in thrid.

Manny was looking good on home soil.
Manny was looking good on home soil.

Stephane Tempier rode one hell of a race to second place and seems closer then ever to that first World Cup win.
Stephane Tempier rode one hell of a race to second place and seems closer than ever to that first World Cup win.

Nino Schurter riding a hardtail with dropper seatpost and SRAM s new wireless shifting added another win to his palmares.
Nino Schurter, riding a hardtail with dropper seatpost and SRAM's new wireless shifting, added another win to his resume.

Pablo Rodriguez exhausted rests on his saddle after finishing in 21st
Pablo Rodriguez, exhausted, rests on his saddle after finishing in 21st

Gassed and gasping for air.
Gassed and gasping for air.




Previously:

Full XCO Results
Short Track XCC Results
Short Track Photo Report
Julien Absalon Talks Retirement
Tech: Nino's Wireless Shifting Setup
Tech: Ultralight Brakes & Single-Sided Forks
Tech: Hardtails With Dropper Posts
Video: Course Preview
Anne Terpstra's Ghost Lector
Photo Story: Course Preview

Author Info:
mdelorme avatar

Member since May 11, 2011
186 articles
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85 Comments
  • 106 0
 The other competitors didn't stop and wait for Gaze to fix his puncture?
  • 8 0
 Classic
  • 46 1
 "Sam Gaze tried to take the lead at one point, but a flat ruined his hopes of a repeat win"

Bullshit. He was dropped way before then.
  • 10 45
flag WAKIdesigns (May 21, 2018 at 3:14) (Below Threshold)
 What else should they do? Say Chapeau after he joins them? Maybe you should go and duel them with revolvers like real gentlemen used to solve these things. Holy sht... what standards do you live up to in order to demand such from others? moralizing beigists FFS...
  • 16 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Well somebody you didn't watch the Commonwealth Games.
  • 12 41
flag WAKIdesigns (May 21, 2018 at 5:19) (Below Threshold)
 @Fix-the-Spade: no I didn't, but if you expect racers to stop and wait for someone who stumbled without a rule being written, you should get fkd, honestly. And writing such rule would be even dumber. Hey, how about slipping all this podium mess and giving everyone participation trophees?! Fkng entitled beigist snowflakes. Your parents set you up for failure. Your parents suck. If you fell, got a mechanical, guess what, sht happens! Nobody cares who's fault is it, the result is: you. are. not. winning. deal with it. I'm angry, I'm fkng angry...
  • 34 2
 @WAKIdesigns: It was a JOKE! Gaze got pissed at Cooper for doing just that at the commonwealth games. Called it bad sportsmanship and all that befor eeventually walking back his comments. Which you can do right now for your BS rant.
  • 23 1
 @WAKIdesigns: I gave you a chance to look up the reference, but nope, you just doubled down on the angrish, never change Waki.
  • 10 4
 @Fix-the-Spade: I am going to give WAKIdesigns a pass today...because he is hilarious. Pinkbike comment section wouldn't be the same without him.
  • 1 0
 @rrsport: Hope he flipped them off as they rode away from him.
  • 18 0
 Crazy last pic. Wonder what he's on about there?
  • 50 0
 Hemmeroids?

It's a bad scene when your coach mixes up the chamois butter with the Preparation H.
  • 13 1
 Its interesting to see Nino had a dropper on... first time I'm aware of it in an xco race
  • 15 2
 Note how "normal" the dropper equipped riders look on the descents. Low body position, bent knees, smiling :-)
  • 10 1
 @headshot: but notice how well van der poel did, and that perfect pic of him... His post wasn't down. Wink
  • 12 1
 Yes, but was he happy? Caption that last pic of him... " But you said the damn seat would not trash my b#lls"
  • 2 0
 I think they said that was the first time Nino was racing with a dropper
  • 6 2
 @SonofBovril: Even Nino is still learning...
  • 3 0
 @headshot: Incredible how few riders had droppers. That course looks more enduro in some of the shots than XC. Guys and gals with their chest on the seat like old school, trying to keep from going over the bars. I really expected to see more droppers this season. Seems like basic equipment no matter what you ride.
  • 4 0
 @Poulsbojohnny: although this course is VERY slippery when wet (or moist), it is not a very technical course. That’s why you also saw that many riders revert back to a hardtail. For some, a dropper is still too much weight (in their mind) and for others, who are not sponsored, it is even a matter of budget.
  • 2 0
 @SonofBovril: The interesting thing is Stephane Tempier was closing gaps to him on the descent, with his seat up. First race I have seen where Nino looked like the inferior descender.
  • 4 0
 @WhatAboutBob: I think Nino was so strong on the climbs he didn't need to take the risk of flatting on the descents.
  • 1 0
 @headshot: I think he was running the dropper to prevent flats more than anything else.
  • 7 0
 I don't seem to be able to believe that Van der Poel is gasping for air in that photo. If you watched the immediately after the race podium it was easy to see that he was not happy...seems like that is what is going on here. The level of competition is very high, and he is not used to third! Can't wait to watch Nove Mesto...
  • 2 1
 Yeah, Nova measto is like a rough cx track. Should suit him much better than Albstadt.
  • 1 0
 Same. That looks more like he's teed off and yelling or something. The first time I did a triathlon, I had no training or fancy equipment, and swimming kills me. By the end of that thing, I was all caps gasping, and looked nothing like that pic. Not to mention that those guys are in another universe of physical fitness, and hence wouldn't be so beat up.
  • 9 0
 Terrific XC racing today
  • 8 0
 Fantastic pictures and captions.
  • 5 1
 Do you think teams even try to wash white shorts, or do they just toss them?
  • 5 1
 XCO is the future, very techy courses with multi lap, great for spectators, exciting racing.... sign me up
  • 1 0
 riders will full suspension suffered chain retention issues due to the amount of mud caked onto the chainstays. Weather conditions and the XC Short course made it a Hardtail course. Nove Mesto should bring back the normal state of play
  • 1 0
 A great selection.

Now I know what you're on about my dream medium size XC bike for BC XC racing would be 66HA, 77SA, 440mm reach/seattube length/rear centre length, 90mm head tube length, 330mm BB height (with 2.3" tires), 110mm rear/120 front. 25.5lbs with a 125mm dropper and completely pimp build.

I dream about that bike.

I bet the next Spark won't be far off that. Sniper or the Unno Horn is probably the closest currently available.
  • 3 0
 Same pic used twice with slightly different captions. Which one is correct?
  • 3 0
 Course looks like a lot of fun, I really like the way that XC is going. Awesome to see a packed crowd too!
  • 3 1
 Well that's one XC track I'd be riding flat pedals on. Damn that place looked like a peanut butter and KY jelly sandwich. Props to anyone who kept it upright.
  • 3 1
 A hit of CO2 and Flueckiger might have stayed in contention. They gotta start carrying at least a fats pump surely?!
  • 2 1
 On a lot of courses the time to stop to temporarily re-inflate your tyre is not worth it when you can keep riding or run to the pits, where you'll get a wheel swap anyway
  • 9 3
 Agree. That wheel change was a joke. I wonder why they didn't turn the bike upside down. If you have a slow leak but enough sealant, a quick inflate is all you need for the rest of the race. Too much roadie influence in XC?
  • 4 0
 @headshot: with the tyres they run, once you have a leak it’s highly unlikely to fix itself. They’ll still have to do a wheel swap anyway
  • 4 4
 @headshot: I agree too many roadie influences. It has taken too long (since the beginning) to rid MTB from roadie parts. The only remnants I see now are presta valves, I cannot wait to see them disappear in favor of the far superior schrader.
  • 5 4
 @Accuratehvacr: I hope you are joking on the schrader valve thing! Total pain to deal with.
  • 1 1
 @Poulsbojohnny: Please elaborate, I have always found schrader valves very easy to use. You don't see presta valves on an air shock, why do we use them on our tires?
  • 1 1
 @Poulsbojohnny: That’s why they’re on motorcycles and cars and all industrial equipment. Because schraders are superior as valves.
  • 2 0
 Thanks for the pics. Gives a good sense of that drop. That looked scary in the mud.
  • 1 0
 Interesting to see how much rear brake many of the riders are pulling- levers up against the bar. I wonder if they set them up softer to keep more speed?
  • 2 0
 Surprised to see Nino on a dropper post.
  • 2 0
 You know they make better tires for this...
  • 1 0
 Epic! What handlebar width are they racing?
I am 6.1 and 6.2 wingspan. Thinking about changing my 700mm wide bar.
  • 1 0
 Great photos! Hey, was anyone riding full suspension?
  • 2 1
 Jonas Lindberg, Annika Langvad and a bunch others
  • 1 0
 Jaroslav Kuhlavy, but he dnf early
  • 4 0
 No one on the podium had a full suspension. This was a hardtail course.
  • 1 0
 The new UCI rule is you have to ride the same bike you race short track on, so a lot chose hard tails due to the super flat short track race. Next week in Nove Mesto I bet it will be mostly full-suspensions in short track due to the XC course at Nove Mesto.
  • 2 0
 where is the Nino whip?
  • 2 0
 I rode the course yesterday and honestly, I didn't see a whole lot of places where Nino could have thrown it sideways. It was pretty gnarly!
  • 1 2
 They should be racing short travel trail bikes on stuff like this. Can still be setup light for climbing. Someone please get these people knee pads and mud tires too!
  • 2 0
 Great coverage!
  • 3 2
 This track is steep!
  • 3 4
 xc trails now a days are getting really technical, they should start wearing protection to avoid cuts.
  • 1 0
 PROGNARXC
  • 7 8
 why loic did not compete?
  • 13 0
 he didnt qualify
  • 1 0
 @krazieghost: he probably could uf he tried.
  • 2 5
 frustrating when so many photos are taken on the wonk so you cant actually see the terrain level
  • 4 0
 Or maybe the terrain... Isn't level. Razz
  • 2 0
 Don't use the trees to judge level, particularly on mountains that hold snow in the winter. Look at the spectator's legs. If they are vertical, the shot is level.
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