The first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup of the season took place in Stellenbosch – at the Coetzenburg Sports Precinct – today, which saw four action-packed events take place.
Riders took on a 4.4km course consisting of different obstacles and challenges. The amount of laps varied between the different events.
First up was the five-lap under-23 women’s race, which was won by Danish Malene Degn in a time of 1:18:52.
Straight after that, Norwegian Petter Fagerhaug comfortably won the six-lap under-23 men’s race in 1:18:23. South Africa’s Wessel Botha did well to finish in 19th.
Danish Annika Langvad showed great composure to win the six-lap elite women’s race in 1:33:14 after taking control on the final lap. South Africa’s national champion Mariske Strauss finished in 28th and she was “happy” with how it played out in the end.
New Zealander Sam Gaze caused a major upset to beat world champion Nino Schurter in exhilarating fashion, as the race went down to the wire in a sprint finish. Gaze won the seven-lap elite men’s race in 1:30:14.
South Africans had a tough day at the office in the feature event, with the highest-placed rider – Stuart Maris – having finished only 75th. Marais, however, felt “content” with the result considering he suffered some setbacks in the latter parts of the race.
Have a glimpse below of some of the action.
Photos courtesy of Shannon Valstar.
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- Elite women’s winner Annika Langvad in action at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- Malene Degn pictured winning the under-23 women’s race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- World champion Nino Schurter, pictured here during at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch earlier this year, won the elite men cross-country race at the UCI MTB World Cup in Albstadt, Germany, today . Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- Frenchwoman Pauline Prevot Ferrand pictured taking on the ‘pick-up-sticks’ during the women’s elite race – where she came second – at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- Under-23 men’s winner Petter Fagerhaug pictured showing off as he cruised to victory at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- Pieter du Toit showing off his South African colours during the men’s under-23 race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- A completely elated and overwhelmed Sam Gaze pictured winning the thrilling men’s elite race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- Swiss Sina Frei pictured flying through the air on the ‘pick-up-sticks’ in the under-23 women’s race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- The leading men pushing hard up a climb in the early stages of the elite men’s race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- The elite men’s field pictured shooting off for their race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- Elite women riders pictured before their race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. South Africa’s Mariske Strauss pictured in the centre. Photo: Shannon Valstar
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- Sam Gaze (front) and Nino Schurter pictured going down the wine barrel in the men’s elite race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Stellenbosch. Photo: Shannon Valstar
