Denmark’s Annika Langvad and Switzerland’s Nino Schurter nab victories in dramatic style at the third round of the Mercedes-Benz UCI World Cup in the Czech Republic.
The picturesque Nové Město na Moravě was the backdrop of one of the toughest stops on the calendar. Punchy climbs meld with technical descents and a long, hot asphalt sprint to the finish line at the Vysočina Arena.
Jolanda Neff and Annika Langvad perform at UCI XCO World Cup in Nove Mesto. Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool.
In the elite women’s field, Denmark’s Annika Langvad had already kicked off a strong start to the weekend, having taken the win at the second ever XCC short track race on Friday evening.
The reigning World Champion, Jolanda Neff, who had triumphed in some fashion at the previous round in Albstadt, Germany lead from the start. But the pack were wise to her plans in the opening phases of the last race and it was Langvad who lead the charge to reign her back in.
Jolanda Neff and Annika Langvad. Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool.
Neff tried her best to lure Langvad into launching her sprint early but Langvad tapped the power on and was simply too strong, taking the top spot.
Annika Langvad. Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool.
In the elite men’s field, the reigning UCI World Cup title holder, Nino Schurter, had already tasted the more painful side of Nové Město having crashed in the short track event earlier in the weekend.
Nino Schurter performs at UCI XCO World Cup in Nove Mesto. Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool.
That left Schurter in a group of three with France’s Maxime Marrotte and another Kiwi, Anton Cooper. Marrotte dropped a few bike lengths on the second half of the last lap and left Schurter to gun for his sixth win at the Czech venue with the youngster.
The victor of round one, New Zealander Sam Gaze, crashed early in the race amidst one of the Czech track’s infamous rock gardens. The second of the two young stars in ascendancy, Mathieu Van Der Poel, fell victim to the rocks shortly after.
That left Schurter in a group of three with France’s Maxime Marrotte and another Kiwi, Anton Cooper. Marrotte dropped a few bike lengths on the second half of the last lap and left Schurter to gun for his sixth win at the Czech venue with the youngster.
Anton Cooper and Nino Schurter photo finish. Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool.
After a photo finish after one of the longest sprint finishes in UCI World Cup history, the pair were separated by the smallest of margins. Schurter was left as the winner and after a tricky start to the season, regained the UCI World Cup overall leaders jersey.
Anton Cooper, Nino Schurter, Maxime Marotte stand on the podium at UCI XCO World Cup in Nove Mesto. Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool.
