uci.ch
CROSS-COUNTRY WORLD CUP
Christoph Sauser (Specialized), could make up the ground lost by Julien Absalon, current World Cup leader and new Olympic Champ (Orbea), who will be absent this weekend. The fourth-placed Swiss rider in Beijing is now in control of his fate. He must win the final two stages, and hope Absalon does not finish lower than 53rd in Schladming’s Austrian final. This is highly unlikely.
The same is true for Catherine Pendrel, winner of the Luna CHIX in Bromont. The Canadian is currently 473 points behind Marie-Helene Premont, her compatriot (Rocky Mountain), and has decided to not make the trip to Australia.
DOWNHILL WORLD CUP
What In the Sam Hill (Monster Energy Iron Horse) is able to run downhill on his home turf and can’t make any mistakes. He is now 46 points ahead of South African Greg Minnaar, Santa Cruz Syndicate. These two men will fight hard, with World Champion Gee Atherton (Animal Commenal), a likely spoiler.
Gees’ little sister Rachel is close to her first ever overall World Cup win. Sabrina Jonnier, Maxxis, is just 83 points behind. She hasn’t had her last word. Tracy Moseley (Kona), Floriane Pugin (Playbiker-Ironhorse) and Emmeline Ragot (Suspension Center) will fight for the third step on the podium.
4-CROSS WORLD Cup
Anneke Beerten (MS Intense), is almost certain to win the fourth round of 4-cross. The men’s race is open! Rafael Alvarez (points leader) who won Maribor, Mont-Sainte-Anne, and Bromont has recently broken his wrist. He will compete in the two last races. This leaves the way clear for German Guido Tschugg and legendary French rider Cedric Gracia (Commencal-Furious-Oakley).
The overall ranking contenders have no choice. They must win the Labor Day Weekend August 30-September 1, in Canberra. If they want to win the World Cup Glory, Sauser, Minnaar, and Jonnier will need to do everything possible. It’s all about the heat!
The World Cup Finale will be held in Schladming (Austria) on September 13 and 14. Next, the World Cup Marathon will take place in Ornans (France) on October 4 and 5. Frances Thomas Dietsch, Finlands Pia Sundstedt are the current leaders.
