April 1, 2007 (Schaan, Lichtenstein) — The first Swisspower Cup of the season, which was the first race of 2007 for many European pros, is history. The winners in both the Elite Women’s and Men’s categories weren’t overly surprising, with 2002 World Champion Sabine Spitz (GER, Ghost International) and defending World Champion Julien Absalon (FRA, Orbea) winning their respective races on the fast, 3.9-kilometre course in front of 7,000 enthusiastic fans.

The women’s race started at 11:30 a.m. local time under sunny skies, but a fresh springtime breeze kept the 52 riders cool as they launched themselves up the two-kilometre climb. Spitz led out the first lap and by the beginning of lap two of eight, a lead group of eight had established itself, containing Spitz, Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Topeak-Ergon), Eva Lechner (ITA, Colnago), Cecile Ravanel (FRA, Lapierre International) and Sandra Walter (CAN, X.O-Felt Women’s MTB Team).

Spitz and Kalentieva proved themselves in a class of their own as they rode away from the rest of the field on the third lap. Spitz eventually finished 22 seconds ahead of Kalentieva. Sabrina Enaux (FRA, Lapierre International) took third place, 2:16 back from Spitz, successfully shutting the Swiss women out of the medals. The best Swiss rider was Renata Bucher (SUI, Stoeckli-Craft) in sixth position. Canada’s Walter finished ninth.

Like in the women’s race, the Elite Men’s field was stacked with world-class riders drawn by the prospect of the UCI Class 1 points and cash purse. At 2:00 p.m. local time, 107 men started the 10-lap race, with the young Swiss rider, Lukas Fluekiger (SUI, Athleticum) logging the fastest first lap in a time of 10:04. Fluekiger, Florian Vogel (SUI, Swisspower) and Absalon distanced themselves from the field in the first few laps of the race, with the Swede, Frederik Kessiakoff (SWE, Cannondale-Vredestein) working hard to bridge up to the front. Kessiakoff eventually finished second, 1:04 behind the World Champion, Absalon, with Vogel managing to get a podium spot for Switzerland with third position.

Results

Women (8 laps, 31.2km)

1. Sabine Spitz (GER, Ghost International) 1:44:21
2. Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Topeak-Ergon) 1:44:42
3. Sabrina Enaux (FRA, Lapierre International) 1:46:37
4. Eva Lechner (ITA, Colnago) 1:46:38
5. Cécile Ravanel (FRA, Lapierre International) 1:47:02
6. Renata Bucher (SUI, Stöckli-Craft) 1:47:07
7. Katrin Schwing (GER, Trek-RSC Neustadt) 1:47:52
8. Petra Henzi (SUI, Fischer-BMC) 1:48:39
9. Sandra Walter (CAN, X.0-Felt Womens MTB Team) 1:48:49
10. Nina Göhl (GER, Multivan Merida) 1:48:50

Overall after 1 event

1. Sabine Spitz (GER, Ghost International) 100 points
2. Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Topeak-Ergon) 80
3. Sabrina Enaux (FRA, Lapierre International) 70
4. Eva Lechner (ITA, Colnago) 65
5. Cécile Ravanel (FRA, Lapierre International) 62
6. Renata Bucher (SUI, Stöckli-Craft) 60
7. Katrin Schwing (GER, Trek-RSC Neustadt) 59
8. Petra Henzi (SUI, Fischer-BMC) 58
9. Sandra Walter (CAN, X.0-Felt Womens MTB Team) 57
10. Nina Göhl (GER, Multivan Merida) 56

Men (10 laps, 39km)

1. Julien Absalon (FRA, Orbea) 1:47:55
2. Fredrik Kessiakoff (SWE, Cannondale-Vredestein) 1:48:58
3. Florian Vogel (SUI, Swisspower) 1:49:23
4. Nino Schurter (SUI, Swisspower) 1:49:40
5. Inaki Errasti Lejarreta (ESP, Orbea) 1:49:47
6. Oliver Beckingsale (GBR, Giant) 1:50:10
7. Cédric Ravanel (FRA, Lapierre International) 1:50:11
8. Ruben Cueto Ruzafa (ESP, Orbea) 1:50:41
9. Lukas Flückiger (SUI, Athleticum) 1:51:08
10. Peter Riis-Andersen (DEN, ALB-GOLD) 1:51:25

Overall after 1 event

1. Julien Absalon (FRA, Orbea) 100 points
2. Fredrik Kessiakoff (SWE, Cannondale-Vredestein) 80
3. Florian Vogel (SUI, Swisspower) 70
4. Nino Schurter (SUI, Swisspower) 65
5. Inaki Errasti Lejarreta (ESP, Orbea) 62
6. Oliver Beckingsale (GBR, Giant) 60
7. Cédric Ravanel (FRA, Lapierre International) 59
8. Ruben Cueto Ruzafa (ESP, Orbea) 58
9. Lukas Flückiger (SUI, Athleticum) 57
10. Peter Riis-Andersen (DEN, ALB-GOLD) 56