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MTB World Cup XC #4 — Women’s & Men’s Report

June 4, 2005 — Sabine Spitz (Specialized) missed the top spot on the podium at the 4th UCI MTB World Cup in Willingen, Germany. The German champion tried to ambush the dominance of the Series’ top competitor Gunn-Rita Dahle (Multivan Merida) and she nearly succeeded. But Dahle was able to get a small margin of 30 seconds at the end of the first lap on the technically easy, but physically very difficult 34.56 km course. Dahle crossed the finish line first in 1.48.58h but had to admit: “This was the toughest race of the season. I had to give 110 percent.” Only at the Olympic Games in Athens 2004 had Dahle had to push her limits that far she commented.

The second placed Spitz (1.49.37h) took her final position as motivational stimulation: “My physical condition is very good, just the last bit is missing”. Second in the World Cup overall rankings Canada’s Marie Hélène Prémont (Rocky Mountain/Business Objects) finished third 2.2 minutes behind.

In the men’s race that followed Swiss rider Christoph Sauser (Siemens/Cannondale) prevailed with a time of 1.59.30h over Marco Bui (ITA, Full Dynamix) who was 20 seconds behind and 2004 Olympic Games gold winner from France, Julien Absalon (FRA, Bianchi-Agos) at 2.00.14h. Local hero Manuel Fumic gained the lead after the start. But during the fast and spectacular race former European champion Ralph Näf took over the lead.

Unfortunately he couldn’t break away fully and couldn’t keep up the pace later. The new World Cup overall leader and today’s winner Sauser said after crossing the finish line, “I knew I would be very strong today”. Just once the Swiss rider had to worry when Marco Bui hit the gas and threatened Sauser’s lead. “I was never sure how good Bui was. Therefore I had to test him. Later I recognized his heavy breathing. At the last lap I thought he would attack but I speeded up again and finally it was enough.”


Men

1. SUI19760413 SAUSER Christoph SIEMENS CANNONDALE MTB RACING TEAM 1:59:30
2. ITA19771017 BUI Marco 1:59:50
3. FRA19800816 ABSALON Julien BIANCHI AGOS 2:00:14
4. ESP19780824 HERMIDA Jose Antonio MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM 2:00:38
5. SWE19800517 KESSIAKOFF Fredrik SIEMENS CANNONDALE MTB RACING TEAM 2:02:18
6. GBR19820412 KILLEEN Liam SPECIALIZED FACTORY RACING 2:03:07
7. SUI19780613 BUNDI Silvio ATHLETICUM-MTB-TEAM 2:03:12
8. USA19810815 CRAIG Adam 2:03:27
9. SUI19800510 NAEF Ralph MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM 2:03:36
10. ITA19751001 ZOLI Jader 2:03:53

76. CAN19850529 PLAXTON Max MAXXIS-MSC -2Laps
DNS CAN19770414 KABUSH Geoff

Women

1. NOR19730210 DAHLE Gunn-Rita MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM 1:48:58
2. GER19711227 SPITZ Sabine SPECIALIZED FACTORY RACING 1:49:37
3. CAN19771024 PREMONT Marie-Hélène 1:51:18
4. RUS19771110 KALENTIEVA Irina MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM 1:52:29
5. USA19710624 MCCONNELOUG Mary 1:52:49
6. ITA19680704 STROPPARO Annabella 1:54:10
7. POL19831109 WLOSZCZOWSKA Maja LOTTO 1:54:41
8. CAN19751211 BISARO Kiara 1:55:07
9. GER19830728 GÖHL Nina MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM 1:55:30
10. CAN19660909 SYDOR Alyson 1:56:03

32. CAN19690205 SINCLAIR Patricia -1Lap





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