WORLD CUP XC #5JUNE 5
WORLD CUP XC #5JUNE 5
By Eddie Arnet
Willingen, a new stop on the circuit was a 3.2-mile layout on double track service roads. There were steep climbs, but not too many singletrack, and it was only a short circuit. For a total of 30.3 miles, the men raced 9 laps and a 1.5-mile opening round. The women raced 7 laps, covering a distance of 24 miles after the first circuit.
Willingen hosts the first three-header of the series and will host a weekend of fourcross, cross-country and downhill racing.
Julien Absalon was the dominant rider from the beginning. Julien Absalon won the first two events and was victorious in the second. Julien fell ill with stomach flu and had to finish back at Houffalize (Belgium). Marco Bui won this event. Christoph Sauser now has the victory. The World Cup XC Series is looking to be an intense battle between these three. Willingen was at the halfway point in the 8 race series.
Are we really supposed to be able to tell who is the dominant woman in the women’s field? Marie-Helene Premont, the opening round victor after breaking Gunn-Rita Dahles two-year win streak, has yet to support it.
This is the second race in the World Cup Fourcross & Downhill Series. There will be plenty of excitement. Will Jill Kintner (winner of the first 4X in Vigo Spain) repeat her feat? Luna Chix Kathy Pruitt: Is she able to improve on her third place finish downhill?
Keep checking back.
WILLINGEN, GERMANY WORLD CUP XC4 RESULTS
Only 54 of the 174 riders who began the race completed the entire distance.
1. Christoph Sauser (Swi)Siemens Cannondale 2. Marco Bui (Ita)Dynamix 3. Julien Absalon (Fra)Bianchi Agos 4. Jose Antonio Hermida (Spn)Multivan Merida 5. Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe)Siemens Cannondale 6. Specialized 7. Silvio Bundi (Swi)Athleticum 8. Adam CraigGiant Ralph Naef (Swi)Multivan Merida 10. Jader Zoli (Ita), 50. Michael BroderickSeven-Kenda 98. Alan ObyeU.S. National-3 laps
128. Sam Schultz SamU.S. National-4
153. John Devine JohnU.S. National-4
154. Nick Waite NickU.S. National-4
WOMEN
Seventy-three of the women who started were there; 27 completed all seven laps.
1. Gunn-Rita Dahle (Nor)Multivan Merida 2. Sabine Spitz (Ger)Specialized 3. Marie-Helene Premont (Can)Rky Mtn-Biz Obj 4. Irina Kalentieva (Rus)Multivan Merida 5. Mary McConnelougSeven-Kenda 6. Annabella Stropparo (Ita) 7. Maja Wloszczowska (Pol)Lotto 8. Kiara Bisaro (Can)Gearsracing 9. Nina Gohl (Ger)Multivan Merida 10. Alison Sydor (Can)Rky Mtn-Biz Obj 15. Kelli EmettFord-Specialized 57. Kathy Sherwin-3 laps
