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On the hunt for World Cup victory

May 11, 2021 | News | 0 comments

The World Cup in Albstadt delivered exciting MTB racing and podium spots for SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing for both Kate Courtney in 4th and Nino Schurter, 2nd. The team is dialed in for a great season to unfold.

Albstadt, Germany. Even though the World Cup kick-off in Germany missed the 20,000 spectators usually huddling together around the track, this first stop managed to deliver MTB racing action at its finest. With the way Nino Schurter was racing, he would have deserved this first victory of the season. With Victor Koretzky he battled against someone with a stronger sprint finish.
Step by step Kate Courtney gets closer to where she wants to be clearly aiming for the top spot on the podium. With a strong race to 4th place, she claimed her spot in the field of favorites to look out for in this season.

Andri Frischknecht also showed his teeth finishing in solid 24th while Lars Forster, unfortunately, picked a very bad day for racing. With the full team being back in full swing for the World Cup Season, the team’s momentum and overall performance were a great sign towards the season ahead!

The men’s race was as unpredictable as the weather that went from snowfall on Friday prior to the XCC to 25° summer conditions on Sunday for the XCO. With a packed field of favorites, all were set for an interesting afternoon of racing with pure MTB specialists like Schurter, Flückiger, Avancini, lining up against upcoming french riders or successful all-rounders like Mathieu Van der Poel or Tom Pidcock. After winning the short track on Friday and having a solid solo lead after 1.5 laps in the XCO, it looked like the MVDP would run the show, but like the weather, things changed fast.

The level of racing was tremendously high. With dozens of riders still within seconds of the lead after the halfway mark, the second part of the race tore the field wide open. After MVDP dropped back from his effort at the start, Ondrej Cink had a strong phase. Tom Pidcock was the one with the most impressive performance moving up over 70 places all the way up to the leading pack. Whoever attacked out of the leading group, it was always Nino Schurter to go with the attack. Same when Matthias Flückiger went to the front in the last lap. Nino controlled the race like no one else. And when he went down the very last descent all in with full risk, he managed to get a 3-second gap on his last follower, Victor Koretzky. The young French rider was holding up against Nino with a super-fast finale closing the gap and eventually outsprint Nino at the finish line.

“What can I say! I felt strong, believed in my chance to win and I gave everything I had. I’m proud of how I raced today. If this is not enough for first place, I have to accept and keep pushing hard to end up where I want to be – on top of the podium!” Nino Schurter 8x World Champion, 2020 European Champion & Olympic Champion SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing

Result-wise this season looks unusual for Nino who is used to win the races when in top shape. In 2021 he proved to be in best condition again, only that he was second to Avancini, 2 times second to Flückiger and now second again behind Koretzky. But it’s obvious, Nino still the most consistent of all and the victory is a question of time. Maybe next weekend in Nove Mesto?

Lars Forster started very ambitiously into this important selection race for the 2021 Olympics. Maybe it was the heat, the pressure or just a bad day. Not feeling himself, he struggled to cross the finish line on 51st. Andri Frischknecht performed very well. Starting out in the 5th row he moved up steadily throughout the race to make it into the top 20. The last lap he also had to pay for his effort fading a bit but finished in solid 24th.

Women’s Race

From early on in the race, it was clear the french were to beat with the U23 world champion Loana Lecomte and elite World Champion Pauline Ferrand Prevot showing their strength. The exciting race was for 3rd place. Kate dug deep to gain her spot on the podium. In the end, it was a fine 4th place behind Lecomte, Ferrand Prevot, and her US training buddy, Haley Batten.

“I am very happy with a solid start to the World Cup season in Albstadt! I raced to fourth place finishes in both short track and cross country, showing that my form is consistent and building as we head towards the biggest races of the season.” Kate Courtney World Cup Champion 2019 SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing
“I am very happy with a solid start to the World Cup season in Albstadt! I raced to fourth place finishes in both short track and cross country, showing that my form is consistent and building as we head towards the biggest races of the season. More than a result, I am proud of the mental race I rode on Sunday. In the past, I have been able to win on great days but usually faded off the podium if I wasn’t having a great ride. This weekend I was able to stay positive and persistent to salvage a good result on a good day. A huge thank you to our team for the fantastic support this weekend. With this start to the season, it really feels like our entire team and staff are in a positive and extra motivated mental space. Entering the season a bit hungry only helps us stay focused on working together and working hard in pursuit of those top steps of the podium.”

The SCOTT-SRAM team is already on their way to the next World Cup stop: Nove Mesto in the Czech Republic. It’s one of our favorite races on the circuit and the lions are still hungry for more. Let’s cross our fingers this is a good omen. See you there!