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Wolrd Cup Pietermaritzburg, RSA |
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| Date: |
11.04.2009 |
| Description: |
Mountain Bike race |
| More information: |
http://www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI5/layout.asp?MenuId=MTUzNDI |
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| Diary:
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| 12.04.2009 |
7 Laps, 32km 1.56h
4th Place, 1.17sec behind winner José Hermida
Every year the World Cup opener is something special, and adds a little extra nervousness to it. After a half of a year without any XC racing, everybody gets their hopes, doubts and pressures!
My morning race routines plus packing for the race, uses more brain power than the normal automatic process. One more race then I am in auto mode again!!
All in all I am happy with my 4th place. I got the feeling of how hard our sport can be, but despite this I am looking forward to the European classics.
The South African crowed was huge and awesome! They made me feel like I am one of theirs. Well no wonder they call me the "adopted South African"!
Now I am heading to California for the Sea Otter Classic. This is not ideal with so much traveling, time zones and busy schedule during the event, but I am positive that I can improve my 4th place one week later in Offenburg,Germany.
Race Report: by Bobby Behan, Specialized Global Marketing
There was a downhill world cup held back in 1997 in Stellenbosch, South Africa, but the Pietermaritzburg venue represents the first time a triple world cup has been held in the continent of Africa.
Some of the cross-country athletes in Christoph “Susi” Sauser, Burry Stander and Todd Wells were here for almost ten days, racing in the African Cup race last weekend over the same course, while midday through this week they were joined by Rafa, Lene and The Monster Energy Specialized Team. It’s been cool this week in that the XC Team have pitted alongside The Monster Energy Specialized Team. It’s been a great opportunity for the athletes and staff to mingle and get to know one another.
This area of South Africa is close enough to Burry’s home. It’s not often that an athlete gets the opportunity to race near home so for Burry in particular today was important. For Susi too it was important, given his ten-year history with the country, he is now well known to many fans in South Africa.
The men’s race as expected was so fast from the start. Kabush burst up the first climb, but early on the lead group was already being formed with many expected faces in Sauser, Hermida, Absalon, Stander, Schurter. A few riders tried to break the group, but it did not happen until Absalon went to the front. Stander, spurred on by unreal home support and Hermida managed to hold on, while Susi and fellow Swissman Nino Schurter fell back to about 20’’. Meanwhile, victor from last weekend’s African Cup Race Kurschat from Germany was blasting through the field given his poor grid position.
Hermida was the man today and I knew he was going to be dangerous. I know he had some “sharp races” back home before cruising through The Cape Epic in relaxed fashion, therefore giving him a very good build up. He was unstoppable. Julien and Burry tried so hard settling for second and third respectfully. Burry rode like man possessed and all South African’s should be very proud of the 21 year olds efforts today. He never quit and always pushed. Burry also won the under 23 category
Susi managed to break clear of Schurter and Kurschat, who had joined them to place fourth. Two athletes on the podium is not a bad start to the season.
Todd Wells had a tough day finished 23rd, but expect to see more of him in the coming weeks.
1 José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Esp) Multivan Merida Biking Team 1.55.03
2 Julien Absalon (Fra) Orbea 0.32
3 Burry Stander* (RSA) Specialized Factory Racing 0.52
4 Christoph Sauser (Sui) Specialized Factory Racing 1.17
5 Wolfram Kurschat (Ger) Topeak Ergon Racing Team 1.20
6 Nino Schurter (Sui) Scott-Swisspower MTB-Racing 2.01
7 Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) Massi 3.40
8 Lukas Flückiger (Sui) Trek World Racing 3.56
9 Roel Paulissen (Bel) Cannondale Factory Racing 4.19
10 Mathias Flückiger* (Sui) Trek World Racing 4.30
23 Todd Wells (USA) Specialized Factory Racing 6.30
   
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