With Nino Schurter (Sui) Scott Odlo MTB Racing Team not on the start line racing with Orica-GreenEdge on the road this weekend, the stage was set for Absalon to make it two in a row following his victory at round #1 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – and he did just that but not w/o some drama in the men’s 31km race (start loop + 6 laps).
After the 1.6km start loop, and an early crash that took down several riders, Thomas Litscher (Sui) Multivan Merida Biking Team took the lead followed by Flückiger, Marotte, Mantecon, Fontana, Hermida, Absalon and McConnell. During the 2nd lap Absalon flatted costing him some spots as Flückiger reeled in Litscher on lap 3 while Absalon regained his up front positioning.
Flückiger became the new race leader as Litscher flatted as well with Marotte and Absalon leading the chase. During the penultimate lap the three came together as McConnell, Mantecon and Hermida were over 30s behind. On the final lap Absalon took charge dropping his rivals to claim another WC victory and continue in the leader’s jersey.
Results
1. Julien Absalon (Fra) BMC Mountainbike Racing Team 1:38:22
2. Mathias Flückiger (Sui) Stöckli Pro Team 0:16
3. Maxime Marotte (Fra) BH-Suntour-KMC 0:24
4. Daniel McConnell (Aus) Trek Factory Racing 0:28
5. José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Esp) Multivan Merida Biking Team 0:32
6. Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (Esp) Trek Factory Racing 1:02
7. Thomas Litscher (Sui) Multivan Merida Biking Team 2:16
8. Ondrej Cink (Cze) Multivan Merida Biking Team 2:43
9. Stéphane Tempier (Fra) BH-Suntour-KMC 2:56
10. Jaroslav Kulhavy (Cze) Specialized Racing XC 3:20
43. Cory Wallace (Can) Kona Factory Team -1 lap
Full results here.
Standings after 2 rounds
1. Julien Absalon (Fra) BMC Mountainbike Racing Team 500 points
2. Maxime Marotte (Fra) BH-Suntour-KMC 320
3. Mathias Flückiger (Sui) Stöckli Pro Team 310
31. Raphael Gagne (Can) Rocky Mountain 78
Standings here.