Val di Sole, Italy. The historic World Cup venue in Val di Sole has once again shown why it is a firm favourite for Nino Schurter. The technical, fast course is perfectly suited to The Greatest Of All Time, and provided the stage for Elite World Cups wins in 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2023, an U23 World Championship title in 2008, and again an Elite World Championship title in 2021. Now, in 2024, N1NO Schurter has won his 36th World Cup on this course, marking his ninth victory in Val di Sole, and adding another chapter to mountain biking’s history books!
With the Olympics in Paris on the horizon, N1NO has given an epic performance, showing he is in impressive form, even at the age of 38! But it’s not only Nino Schurter celebrating this weekend, as phenomenal performances from all riders meant SCOTT-SRAM once again won the Team Of The Day award!
After a 4th place finish in the XCC, Nino Schurter lined up on the front row for Sunday’s XCO knowing that this was a course that would suit his taste. Determined to prove his form at 38 years old with a World Cup win this season, it was destined to be a hard fought race. Right from the GO, Nino Schurter took the lead, pushing hard to break the field apart within the first few laps. The competition were working up a sweat from the outset just to hold onto the SCOTT-SRAM rider’s wheel. This was hard, fast, tactical racing from mountain biking’s greatest rider – just like the good old days!
The high pace took its toll as Nino’s pursuers one-by-one had difficulty keeping up. Only Alan Hatherly was able to hang on to the Swiss superstar, the one contender strong enough to face the GOAT on Sunday. But the cracks began to show. Where Nino had his eyes ahead, Alan Hatherly could only focus on himself and the huge effort he was making to hang on. Never quite managing to make his mark, he was eventually let go, leaving Nino Schurter to ride solo all the way to the finish line. Two solo laps on a course that has seen Schurter take many of his greatest wins, N1NO rode unchallenged towards his historic #36 World Cup victory.
Team of the Day in the Men’s category
Perhaps the most honourable accolade of all, SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team was awarded Team of the Day in the Men’s category in Val di Sole. Thomas Frischknecht, Team Director said: “Super excited to see Nino winning once more after all these years. And even greater to have with Filippo in P5, meaning two riders on the podium. Despite some who see this differently, it’s proof that our team currently has the two fastest Swiss riders. Together with Andri Frischknecht (P29), who also added points here in Val di Sole, becoming Team Of The Day again is a true team effort. We’re celebrating being on the right way with all the work the team has put into the recent months.”
Filippo Colombo
Filippo had a tough start to the race, forcing him to the fight for a position back at the front. A strong chasing group tailed Nino and Hatherly throughout the entire race, which Filippo always stayed in the middle of. An attack by Filippo in the final lap left Luca Braidot and Mathis Azzaro hanging on, and the trio wrestled through the final technical sections, all fighting for their podium places. The trio battled for the line in a sprint finish, that saw Filippo cross the line in P5 for hsi third podium this season.
Kate Courtney
Very happy with another consistent ride and top 15 finish for Kate in the XCO! After a crash in the XCC, Kate had some work to do. Starting from the fourth row, she rode well to move up throughout the race. It was a solid start to this next block of World Cup racing and Kate stays motivated to continue building for the next races.
SCOTT Spark RC X Flight Attendant
SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing Team athletes – Nino Schurter, Kate Courtney, Filippo Colombo and Andri Frischknecht – are now racing the all-new SCOTT X Flight Attendant models, both the Spark RC World Cup EVO and Spark RC World Cup. Developed in close cooperation with The Greatest Of All Time, the new Spark RC X Flight Attendant is undoubtedly a game changer, as the world’s best XC race bike gets even better!
