Strong Finish Delivers Second Place Finish for Absalon in Lenzerheide

Absalon stormed to second place at the fourth World Cup of the season in Lenzerheide over the weekend after an incredible performance in the second half of the race. His main rival, Nino Schurter took the win on home soil.

Despite an excellent start loop, Julien Absalon couldn’t follow Nino Schurter, Jaroslav Kuhlavy, Maxime Marotte and Victor Koretsky when the four riders broke away in the first lap. “I couldn’t go any faster, I was at my maximum” explained Absalon. In fifth place half way through the race, the Frenchman saw his moment when he passed Kuhlavy in the tech zone. The Czech giant had a flat tire and fell back to fifth place leaving the Shurter and the other two French riders in front of Absalon. “I realized it would have been the first time these two French riders would beat me fair and square at World Cup level and it gave me a big boost. I first caught Victor and then glimpsed Maxime at the beginning of the last lap so I went all in to get second place and score some points for the overall classification.” Nino Schurter already announced that he won’t take part in the next round of the World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne, which will give Absalon a chance to take the lead in the overall classification.

First World Cup top 10 of 2016 for Lukas Flückiger

Lukas Flückiger had to wait until a World Cup on home groundto crack the top 10 for the first time this season. He had a very good start and rode in a strong three-man group for most of the race. He even entered the last lap in fifth position, hoping for a top five. Unfortunately, there was a lap too much for him. He eventually crossed the finish line in 9th place. “It’s good for my morale. It gives me confidence for the rest of the season. I am coming back step by step after a very difficult beginning to the season. There are two important races coming up soon; the Swiss Championships and the World Cup in Mont-Sainte-Anne. I’m hoping for good results there.”

Flat Tire Ruins Indergand’s hopes for a Good Performance

Racing in around 12th position for five laps, Reto Indergand had a flat tire at the worse moment. “I felt like I was losing air about 100m after the tech zone. So I had to do a half a lap with no air in my rear tire. The mechanics did a great job and changed the wheel quickly but my motivation was gone after that.” He eventually crossed the finish line in 39th position.

A Day to forget for Martin Fanger

A lack of power in the legs, and a technical problem were on Martin Fanger’s programme for the day. A disappointing 45th place was not what was he was hoping for.

The BMC MTB Racing Team is still leading the Team Overall Classification with two rounds to go.