WORLD CUP XC #1APRIL 23
WORLD CUP XC #1APRIL 23
Spa Francorchamps Formula One in Belgium, a new venue for mountain biking, was used to launch the 2005 World Cup XC series. The Formula One track’s paved climb was included by race organizers at the start and in each circuit to the finish. The climb ended at the forest.
What a star-studded World Cup roster! Heres a quick view:
*Julien Absalon was the 2004 Olympic and World Champion.
*Christoph Sauser is 2004 World Cup Champion.
*Miguel Martinez was the 2000 Olympic Champion
*Thomas Frischknecht was the 2003 Marathon Champion and 1996 XC World Champ. Frishy is 34.
*Gunn Rita Dahle is the 2004 Olympic and World Cup Womens Champion.
*Sabine Spitz was the 2003 Women’s World Champ.
*Mary McConneloug was the 2003 U.S. Womens National Champ.
The Formula circuit was just 20 miles from Liege, the site of the Liege–Bastogne–Liege spring classic, making it a busy weekend for racing in Belgium. Why should you care? Cadel Evans, a two-time World Cup XC Champ, was there and he placed 5th. The Australian was 24 seconds slower than Alexandre Vinokourovs race winning time of
Interesting fact: Marie-Helene Premont was the first woman to defeat Gunn-Rita Dahle at a World Cup event. This is from 2002. Dahle is returning from a serious accident on the road that occurred one month ago.
WORLD CUP XC 1 RESULTS
1. Julien Absalon (Fra)Bianchi-Agos 2. Roel Paulissen, (Bel)Giantat Jean-Christophe Peraud, (Fra),Lapierre 4. Christoph Sauser (Swi)Siemens Cannondale 5. Thomas Frischknecht (Swi)Swisspower 6. Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe)Siemens Cannondale 7. Juan Antonio Hermida (Spa)Multivan-Merida 8. Sergiy Rysenko, Ukr 9. Miguel Martinez (Fra)Commencal Oxbowst
10. Lado Fumic (Ger)Ladobrothersracingat WOMEN
1. Marie-Helene Premont (Can) Rky Mnt Biz Obj 2. Gunn-Rita Dahle (Nor) Meridaat 3. Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Multivan-Merida 4. Sabine Spitz (Ger) Specialized 5. Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) 6. Marga Fullana (Spa)Be One 7. Mary McConnelougSeven Cycling Cycles 8. Bernardine Boog Rauwerda, (Ned),Netherlands National 9. Sabrina Enaux (Fra)Lapierre 10. Katrin Leumann (Swi)Fischer-BMCat
