Last weekend’s battle with Gerhard Kerschbaumer got into the next round. This time in Vallnord with a better end for the former U23 World Champion. Even though N1NO Schurter was riding strong, it was just not enough to overcome the flying Italian.
Vallnord, Andorra, July 15th. It has always been a special race in Vallnord up at 2000m above sea level. And indeed, also this time the super tough climber’s course turned the 5th round of the 2018 UCI World Cup somehow into a battle field. Different to last weekend, N1NO Schurter was not able to keep the new kid on the block of the last two races under control. But the good news is, N1NO’s overall lead (1405 points) in the World Cup is growing. With only two races to go the World Champion is 325 points ahead of the Dutch Mathieu van der Poel (1080 points), who is even considering to drop the Mont St. Anne World Cup due to his participation at the Mountain Bike and Road European Championships in Glasgow.
Racing in high altitude where the air is super thin is tough; racing 8 instead of 7 laps makes it even tougher. N1NO and Gerhard Kerschbaumer set the pace together until the 6th lap. From then, the flying Italian was too strong for the World Champion.
Photos: Sven Martin
It was quite obvious that N1NO chose the same strategy as in Val di Sole, Italy a week ago. Right from the gun he set such a high pace nobody could follow. Except Gerhard Kerschbaumer who this time was already present from the start on. The two built their lead constantly over a chasing trio with Henrique Avancini, Mathieu van der Poel and Jordan Sarrou. Mid through the race the leaders were over a minute ahead. It was clear the winner must be either from Switzerland or from Italy.
Upper playground- Vallnord not only offers a technical track, but also steep climbs and downhills.
Kerschbaumer looked very strong on the climb, always breaking away from N1NO. The World Champion on the other hand had no problem closing those gaps in the technical downhills, which were quite challenging. The reason why Kerschbaumer was this year the first rider to drop N1NO on a climb is probably found in the different preparation these two riders had. While N1NO stayed home all June to train on his home trails, Gerhard stayed 3 weeks at 2000m altitude to particular prepare for these two race weekends. It sure payed of for him. After winning the 2013 World Cup and World Championship in the U23 category it got rather quite around the rider from northern Italy.
Two laps to go N1NO was not able to resist the attacks of his competitor and had to let him go. However, the second place is more than a great result. Looking at the time gaps to 3rd place finisher Mathieu van der Poel and 4th place Henrique Avancini, his hottest contenders for the overall World Cup title, it’s fait to say N1NO showed a great performance. Only there was an even stronger rider out there today. Chapeau, Gerhard and N1NO.
Today’s Podium from left: Henrique Avanci (4th), N1NO Schurter (2nd), Gerhard Kerschbaumer (1st), Mathieu van der Poel (3rd), Jordan Sarrou (5th).
This year we have not seen the World Champion more exhausted at the finish. He stated: “This was indeed the toughest race. Not only did I fight the altitude but also a very strong Gerhard Kerschbaumer. The combination of both was a little too much. However, I can leave Andorra with my head up. Today was an important step towards defending my World Cup title.”
“This was indeed the toughest race. Not only did I fight the altitude but also a very strong Gerhard Kerschbaumer. The combination of both was a little too much. However, I can leave Andorra with my head up. Today was an important step towards defending my World Cup title.”
N1NO is World Cup leader, so is his bike, the SCOTT Spark RC 900 World Cup.
Andri Frischknecht finishes in 15th
This time starting from 42nd position Andri Frischknecht managed again to overcome more than half of the riders ahead of him. Especially in the last third of the race, Andri had the 5th fastest time in the third last lap, he was charging up to finish in great 15th. He is slowly moving up in the ranking.
Andri: “I gave it all and it payed off to stay calm the first few laps. With this result and hopefully a good European Championship I should finally make it further up in the ranks to get a better starting position in Mont St. Anne August 12th.”
Andri Frischknecht (top) started from 42nd and finished in 15th, Michiel van der Heijden in 50th position.
Dutch Champion Michiel van der Heijden kind of stayed around 50th all race long and finished in this position as well. Matthias Stirnemann on the other hand did not feel well at all and had to quit the race.
The SCOTT-SRAM riders will have different schedules the next few weeks. While N1NO will skip the European Championship to fully focus on the Mont St. Anne World Cup in Canada, Andri made the selection to represent Switzerland at the European Games in Glasgow and will then travel to Canada. Same with Michiel, but first he will try to defend his Dutch national champion title next weekend. Matthias is on the same program as N1NO.
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