World Champs 2009 – Mens and Womens Elite XC

Race report by Bobby Behan.

The start of the XC here in Canberra has been recognized as possibly the most important part of the race, since about 80% of the laps are single track, thus making it very difficult to pass. American Todd Wells known for his ability to kick, had a poor start today finding himself in the mid thirties going into the single track. “The start is different that most mountain bike races. It is more like a road start. In a road race the group surges up one side, then the other side surges. Every time the group surged I would be on the wrong side”.

Christoph Sauser, the defending champion, has been consistently at the top for ten years, but this year marks a tough one for the Swissman who has been struggling to find consistency and form. “I was not super confident I could defend my title, but I’m always positive and still had the sparks to believe I could do it”. Christoph not known for his starting capabilities was just outside the top ten going into the single track.

Although, pushing hard and giving his 100% it was obvious early on, that Christoph would not be at his best today but finishing within the top ten was still a credible result.

The cards were stacked against Todd Well’s today after his start, but the American exploded up the ranks as the laps accumulated. For most of the race Christoph and Todd were close together. Christoph spotted Todd on the descents. “I don’t think there was anybody out there as fast as Todd today on the descents. He was flying and was impossible to chase”. It’s a big accolade coming from The Swissman, who is respected for his technical prowess.

“Man the 29er was awesome out there” commented Wells. “This course has many transitional areas where you need to carry speed through dips and the 29er holds its speed so well with the bigger wheels. I felt I was possibly the fastest out there today on the downhills and the single tracks. On loose blown out dusty corners it felt so stable. You can lean it over more and you don’t drift at all. The bike was perfect.”

Christoph was obviously disappointed with his result, but very happy for fellow countryman Nino. Todd was extremely pleased with his result, but also a little gutted about his start and who knows, had the start been better, could have been even more involved in the action closer to the front.

Race Result:

1    Nino Schurter (Switzerland)            2:04:39
2    Julien Absalon (France)            0:00:03
3    Florian Vogel (Switzerland)            0:00:58
4    José Antonio Hermida Ramos (Spain)    Same Time
5    Geoff Kabush (Canada)            0:02:04
6    Cédric Ravanel (France)            0:02:35
7    Jean-Christophe Peraud (France)        0:02:59
8    Todd Wells (United States Of America)    0:03:06
9    Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic)        0:03:22
10    Christoph Sauser (Switzerland)        0:03:45

Womens XC:

Lene Byberg, who has been part of The Specialized Factory Racing Team since 2007, earned her first world championship medal today, which is a mark of her consistency this year and progression over the past three seasons.

Regarded as a slow starter by many and one who gets stronger throughout the race, Lene had a couple of races this year where she reversed that notion such as at the Madrid World Cup. Here in Canberra was also the same with Lene attacking the race from the gun, always being in the top four early on, until she went clear with Germany’s Olympic Champion, Sabine Spitz. Lene and Sabine traded positions through to the early stages of lap two, where Lene took the charge, riding hard at the front in a quest for the title.

“I had a great feeling today on the rollers during warm-up and knew my legs were good. If you have that feeling, then why not ride hard and give everything from the start”! The start also suited Lene as it wasn’t super steep, but steady, thus allowing her to find a good rhythm.

The title was within Lene’s grasps until half a lap to go, when Irina Kalentieva, who suffered mechanical problems early on, caught and passed Lene.

“I was disappointed crossing the finish line, having been so close, but later on the silver medal achievement hit me and made me happy” commented Lene. “My Era bike was perfect today as always. The tires were the best choice (Specialized SLK 2.0) and the course was definitely suited to the full suspension and I felt I had a huge advantage”.

Lene is in the driving seat in the World Cup Rankings with her number one position overall, a position she will aim to defend next weekend in Champery, Switzerland and the weekend after in Schladming, Austria.

Race Result:

1    Irina Kalentieva (Russia)                      1hr 43’20’’
2    Lene Byberg (Norway)                      @ 13’’
3    Willow Koerber (United States of America)              @ 52””
4    Sabine Spitz (Germany)                      @ 1’30’’
5    Anna Szafraniec (Poland)                      @1’37’’
6    Catharine Pendrel (Canada)                      @ 2’36’’
7    Cecile Rode Ravenel (France)                  @ 3’07’’
8    Esther Süss (Switzerland)                      @ 3’ 40’’
9    Eva Lechner (Italy)                          @ 3’58’’

Browse Timeline

• « Burry Stander wins his first World Title
• » Burry Stander wins his first UCI World Cup in Champery!

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