Belomoina and Schurter destroy XCO rivals at UCI World Cup in Vallnord

Yana Belomoina and Nino Schurter stormed to impressive victories at the third round of the UCI XCO World Cup in Vallnord with both leaving Andorra leading their respective categories handsomely.

In the women’s race, Belomoina channelled the confidence gleaned from her maiden victory in Albstadt and promptly set about disappearing into the distance.

Yana Belomoina performs at UCI XCO World Cup in Vallnord, Andorra. Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool.

The 24-year-old seemed to get faster with every lap and soon had a sizeable lead, leaving reigning world champion Annika Langvad in pursuit alongside seasoned veteran Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå.

Langvad, who had triumphed at the recent XC Marathon World Champs, was in good form and happy with her performance at a track which traditionally hasn’t been kind to her.

It was Belomoina, however, who would secure another win by 97 seconds on a day when she truly decimated the field and showed the kind of electrifying form she’s in.

She said, “It was a great race. It’s unbelievable. After my win in Albstadt, I had so much motivation for this. Now I have a lot of points and I hope I can retain my leader’s jersey.”

In the men’s race there was drama at the start when Germany’s Manuel Fumic broke his chain right from the gun. But before it had even sounded, the field was rocked by the news that Jaroslav Kulhavy would not be starting due to illness.

Nino Schurter performs at UCI XCO World Cup in Vallnord, Andorra. Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool.

All eyes were on the big Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel as he seemed set about his continued harassing of series leader, Schurter.

The reigning champion, though, was in no mood to wait around for any attacks and went full gas from the start and, in reality, was in a league of one all day.

A group of three formed behind him consisting of Mathias Flückiger, Sam Gaze and Jordan Sarrou.

It was the canny Flückiger who would storm to a sprint for the line to clinch second place from Sarrou with the series moving on to Lenzerheide in Switzerland on July 9.

Schurter said, “I am super happy. Love this course. Super tactical. I feel at home here. Amazing to win here.

“Here at altitude, you need to pace the race and have a gap. I was able to go hard where I wanted.”

Flückiger added, “The track was pretty awesome. I am pretty happy. I waited until the finish to sprint because, with the altitude, you pay for it otherwise.”