Schurter powers to 35th World Cup win at Val di Sole, Pieterse claims dominant victory

Nino Schurter cruised to a 35th UCI World Cup win with a dominant victory at the Cross-Country Olympic World Cup at Val di Sole, while Puck Pieterse was triumphant in the women’s elite race.

Schurter, of Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team, crossed the line in 1:20:22 for his sixth World Cup win at the Italian venue, some 26 seconds ahead of second-placed Mathias Fluckiger (Thomus RN Racing Team).

The Swiss, 37, edged in front of the early pacesetter Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon CLLCTV) just six minutes into the race and it was a position he held onto comfortably as he secured another victory.

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“Yeah, it feels really good realising that I’m in really great shape,” Schurter said at the conclusion of the race.

“I have a really great set up at the moment on my bike. Having such a great bike working on those difficult tracks, it goes so well.

“From the start I realised I’m quite strong at the climbs as well and it was another insane ride here. I love it here in Italy!”

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He had been followed closely in an intense battle with Alan Hatherly (Cannondale Factory Racing), but the South African couldn’t maintain such a blistering pace and eventually fell to fifth position after dropping off in the fourth lap.

Taking third position was Vlad Dascalu (Trek Factory Racing) who beat Joshua Dubau (Rockrider Ford Racing Team) to the final podium place following an exciting sprint finish.

It had been a slow start from Fluckiger, who was involved in a collision on the start line, but he slowly but surely climbed up the rankings before roaring into second.

In contrast, Schwarzbauer started quickly but lost momentum and ended up pushing his bike to the finish after his chain snapped, although he still managed a top 10 finish.

Jordan Sarrou (Team BMC) lost ground in the battle for the overall championship by finishing in eighth position and slips to second behind Schurter.

Meanwhile, Pieterse (Alpencin-Deceuninck) claimed a dominant win in the women’s elite race.

It was a third World Cup win of the year for the young Dutchwoman, who crossed the line in 1:19:49, 52 seconds ahead of home favourite Martina Berta (Santa Cruz RockShox). Third placed Laura Henderson (Primaflor Mondraker Genuins Racing Team), from Australia, was eight seconds further behind to complete the podium.

Pieterse extended her lead in the standings and now has 1,096 points, almost 300 more than second-placed Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Ineos Grenadiers), who had a day to forget after finishing seventh following a nasty crash approaching the final lap.

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“I decided to go for it from the start,” Pieterse said.

“And then it was just about riding my own pace and trying not to fall back. Yeah, it worked again, so it’s apparently a good tactic!

“I’ll try to keep it [the leader’s jersey]. I’m really happy to still have it.”

The 21-year-old made an early attack and led from the get-go of this fourth-round race, never looking back as she left her rivals in her wake.

In her first year participating in the elite races, Pieterse has looked a level above her competitors this year and her victory was never in doubt in Trentino.

Midway through the first lap, Pieterse had already opened a 13-second lead on the chasing group, led by Ferrand-Prevot and Berta.

By the start of the second lap, that lead had increased to over half-a-minute. Further behind, Jolanda Neff (Trek Factory Racing) suffered a puncture but recovered well to get back amongst the challengers.

After a slow start, Mona Mitterwallner (Cannondale Factory Racing) climbed into the top 10 halfway through the race. But further ahead an intriguing battle was playing out between Ferrand-Prevot and Italy’s Berta for second place until the former suffered a nasty crash.

The Frenchwoman was able to gather herself and get back on the bike to continue her race but suffered further misfortune with a puncture in the final lap.

Reflecting on a tough day, Ferrand-Prevot said: “I’m in one piece, at least. I had a big crash and it took time to feel myself again.

“It was really dusty and yeah, I came a bit too fast. It was my own fault so I can’t complain. It was a stupid crash.

“I had a puncture in the last lap, so it was a mess.”

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Taking advantage was Henderson, who climbed into third spot and subsequently taking a podium spot.

Pieterse’s win was never in doubt, however. Apart from a slight wobble on the final lap in which she slightly lost momentum negotiating a hill on the challenging route, it was a perfect display from the Dutchwoman.

There were emotional scenes at the finishing line as Berta was overcome with emotion and was embraced by her ecstatic team-mates as she achieved her best performance of the season.

There is now a break for the World Championships, which takes place next month in Scotland.