As SCOTT is celebrating 60 years of history, Nino Schurter was given a Spark RC 900 World Cup Retro Special Edition to race at the World Cup in Val di Sole, Italy- the Olympic Champion has honored this special event in style winning his 29th World Cup.
Val di Sole, Italy, July 8th. N1NO Schurter managed to win his 29th World Cup. In front of a huge crowd in Val di Sole, the Olympic Champion dominated the race from the first lap. However, at the end the 32 year old Swiss had to battle it out with local Gerhard Kerschbaumer. Like the two previous years, N1NO attacked at the very same spot he already decided races in 2016 and 2017 against Julien Absalon and Stephane Tempier.
N1NO Schurter now leads the Overall World Cup with 1130 pts ahead of Mathieu van der Poel (820 pts), who got 3rd today.
N1NO Schurter was riding in style- not only with regards to his look.
Photos: Sven Martin, Jochen Haar, Armin Küstenbrück
In World Cup racing, the eyes are on the Olympic and World Champion no matter what. Showing up with a 90ies-style Retro Spark in green and orange, a purple helmet and yellow shoes even boosts he attention to #nextlevel. The story of celebrating the 60th aniversary of SCOTT Sports with a special retro bike and kit that goes with it was in many ways a succseful one. Learn more below.
Another tight finish, another top podium result in the box- N1NO needs four more wins to equalize Julien Absalon’s magic World Cup Victory Count.
N1NO launched an early attack and gained a 25 sec lead already in the 2nd lap. “That was a bit early to brake away and ride all the race on my own”, N1NO said. “I focused on Mathieu van der Poel as I expected him to set the pace.” The Dutch Road Champion won the Short track race two days earlier, everyone expected him to make a move.
Val di Sole is one of these World Cups with amazing tifosi- it’s truly a great promotion for Mountain biking.
N1NO managed to distance Gerhard Kerschbaumer and Mathieu van der Poel for the most part of the race- until the last lap. Thanks to Italian Kerschbaumers ultra-loud Italian Tifosi, he closed the gap to N1NO in the very last climb to take the lead. But Kerschbaumer didn’t seem to remember how and where N1NO won the last two years on exactly this course: on the very last spot an attack would be possible, just before entering the very last downhill section. N1NO did just that- exactly how he outsprinted Absalon and Tempier the past two years. We’re already excited today about next year’s strategies of N1NO’s competitors.
Today’s Podium: N1NO Schurter (1st), Gerhard Kerschbaumer (2nd), Mathieu van der Poel (3rd), Henrique Avanci (4th), Florian Vogel (5th).
“I am super happy with my 29th World Cup win. Val di Sole is always amazing to compete at- It is a demanding course, the crowds are great and it is always super tight. I was working hard to get away soon, that’s why I suffered in the last laps. It again was a great final. I am looking forward now to the race in Andorra this coming weekend.”
Andri Frischknecht had a tough start due to his 47th starting position. However he managed to finish in a great 14th place: “It is kind of tough to start in the back however I fought my way towards the Top Ten and I am super happy with my result. It’s all about a good regeneration now as the coming weekend in the high altitude of the Pyrenees will be again a hard challenge.”
Making good progress, Matthas Stirnemann finished in 25th. He also started from far back in 67th position. “I am happy with that result, it’s gonig in the right direction.” Michiel van der Heijden finished in 52nd.
Andri Frischknecht finished in 14th, Matthias Stirnemann in 24th.
The SCOTT Spark RC 900 Worldcup Retro Special Edition
SCOTT is celebrating its 60th anniversary throughout the 2018 season. To celebrate this event, one of their most iconic athletes – Olympic and World Champion Nino Schurter – was given a Spark RC 900 World Cup Retro Special Edition to race at the World Cup in Val di Sole, Italy. Its funky green and orange design dates back to the 90ies and is a tribute to the very first Mountain bike which SCOTT created, the so-called “Pro Racing” from 1990.
Also, find all Specs of the special bikes just there.
Alongside with the Retro bike, Nino was given an entire head-to-toe Retro kit to match his look: A Centric Plus and Cadence helmet, RC SL shoes and gloves in the original look of 1988.
Photography: Jochen Haar
The “Pro Racing” Series from 1990
SCOTT’s Pro Racing model dates back to 1990. Back then it was the top of the range MTB, intended for both Downhill (!) and XC racing.
Here is how the “Pro Racing” model was promotet at the time:
Pro Racing technology: Tange Prestige tubes. Vantage Comp Rims with 32 spokes and Ritchey Megabite Hard drive tyres. Shimano XT group with round chainrings, Hyperglide, Superglide and 21 Speed. Hand made at the welding seams. Plain racing-green, no but (Original Catalog description from 1990).
About the SCOTT History
In 1958, Ed Scott changed the ski pole. This would be the catalyst for decades of innovation, technology and design to follow. For 60 years the brand has taken a NO SHORTCUTS approach to product development, racing, climbing, descending and everything in between. For 60 years, SCOTT’s employees and athletes have put nothing but passion behind every stride, pedal stroke and carve. #SCOTT1958
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