MTBWALblog: ELIMINATOR : UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup Volterra

lundi 8 mai 2017

ELIMINATOR : UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup Volterra

Watch the official trailer here

Lorenzo Serres wins first heat of UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup

Frenchman goes into the lead #UCIMTBWC

The city of Volterra was the first to host the UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup. The mountain bikers were facing several obstacles in the narrow streets of Volterra. Start and finish was set on the Piazza dei Priori, a charming main square where locals gathered to see the urban racing scene.

See results

As the rain falls on the Piazza dei Priori, the mountain bikers found themselves warming up in the town hall of Volterra. The race got started earlier due to windy conditions. Among the contenders were national champions Perrin-Ganier (France), Gegenheimer (Germany), Widén (Sweden) and Szymczuk (Poland).

Federspiel out due to illness

Reigning World Champion Daniel Federspiel missed his chance due to illness. His absence gave the four representing national champions a chance to battle for victory. Federspiel is expected to ride the remainder of the series.

Lorenzo Serres sets fastest time

Frenchman Lorenzo Serres was the fastest on the slippery steps of the 480-meter course with an average of 22.90 km/h, 12 milliseconds ahead of Alberto Mingorance. This earned him an excellent position for the qualification heats.

Sun is out as we enter the qualification heats. The local fans were looking forward to cheering on the Italian mountain bikers, of which most made it to the quarterfinals.

French champion Titouan Perrin-Ganier missed his chance for the big one: he crashed in the final corner and had to settle for 6th place. Gegenheimer won the small finals ahead of Perrin-Ganier and Fruet. Wagenbauer came in 8th.

Finals

Federico Mandelli (Italy) and Alberto Mingorance Fernández (Spain) from El Conchel FRM also had a good day, having both successfully qualified through to the finals. Former European Champion, Jeroen van Eck, was still in the mix, as well as 18-year-old Lorenzo Serres.

Taking on the first corner, the riders are battling for those top positions. Yet again, Lorenzo Serres went as first through the corners but not for long. It all came together again before entering the final lap. Coming over the Safety Jogger bridge, it's again Serres who takes the lead. Spaniard Alberto Mingorance didn't manage to close the gap. He finished in second place. Jeroen van Eck sprinted to third, followed by Federico Mandelli.

Alberto Mingorance told us afterwards he was expected to wait before entering the final lap. Despite of coming out of the first lap all together, he couldn't get away.

Lorenzo Serres goes into the lead after the first UCI MTB Eliminator in Volterra.

The UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup resumes on June 3rd and June 4th in Columbus, Georgia (USA). We hope to see you there!

Shorttrack (XCC)

Nice weather and a great atmosphere saw the first day of racing go well. A bunch of 23 riders were lining up for the UCI Shorttrack. It was Federico Mandelli who took the win, ahead of Martino Fruet and Steffen Thum.

Recap the action