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There was an air of inevitability to the racing at Lenzerheide – the rooty, technical and high-altitude Swiss course that hosted the weekend’s round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. For reigning world champ Nino Schurter, regarded as the cross-country mountain biker of all time, it was another milestone in a career full of them. Showing his technical mastery, Schurter powered away with three laps to go, borne to the finish on a cacophony of cow bells from his home crowd. When he crossed the line, he passed Julien Absalon’s record for the most XCO wins. 15 seconds behind him, Alan Hatherly (South Africa) outsprinted Jordan Sarrou (France) for the minor placings, with Thomas Griot and David Valero Serrano fourth and fifth.
In the women’s race, European champion Loana Lecomte put uncertainty and “bad emotion[s]” behind her for a stunning win. Lecomte and her compatriot Pauline Ferrand-Prévot looked powerful from the start, jostling with the likes of Puck Pieterse and Anne Terpstra (Netherlands), Jenny Rissveds (Sweden), and Alessandra Keller (Switzerland). Keller and Terpstra spent time at the front through the middle of the race before the two French riders pulled away, Lecomte’s second attack snapping the elastic for Ferrand-Prévot.
Through the lenses of Piper Albrecht and the Red Bull photography team, this is how the weekend’s racing shook out for the elite XCO fields.
Loana Lecomte was focused and ready to rumble at the start. Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content Pool.Puck Pieterse (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won the last round of the World Cup, and her fast start put her in a strong position early on again. Italian champ Martina Berta was also in fine form.USA’s Hannah Otto onboard the newly released Pivot Mach 4 SL. Rebecca Henderson takes flight. Henderson finished the day in 24th position, surrounded by a number of other superstar riders, showing the depth of field in the Elite women’s race. Riding for the newly formed Lapierre Mavic Unity team, France’s Isaure Medde stepped into the Elite field for 2023. Multi-disciplinary talent – and reigning world CX champion – Fem Van Empel was on the fat tyres and flat bars, ultimately finishing in 16th. Germany’s Ronja Eibl is another rider with the cross-disciplinary Alpecin-Deceuninck squad. One of the many technical features that make Lenzerheide a spectacle. Ferrand-Prévot and Lecomte navigate a tricky rock section, the two French riders off the front. Loana Lecomte slips into the front, and from there, was away. Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content Pool.Former World Champion Evie Richards wasn’t far from the front of the race, ultimately finishing in 6th. Lecomte off the front, solo, closing in on the win. Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content PoolDisbelief …… and delight for the Frenchwoman. Anne Terpstra (Netherlands) and Alessandra Keller (Switzerland) stand on either side of Lecomte.First to win the race, first to open the champagne. Winner of Saturday’s Short Track (XCC), Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon CLLCTV) was in pole position to take the lead from the gun …… and local favourite Nino Schurter was right there, too. Eventual fourth place finisher Thomas Griot follows Sebastian Fini Carstensen (centre) through one of many rocky sections. The Lenzerheide course offers plenty of excitement for the large crowds. Australian national champion Sam Fox floating. Be sure to check out our Q&A feature with the young Australian. American Christopher Blevins was once again racing a modified Specialized Epic Evo, a model that offers more suspension travel for the rougher course. Big smiles from Lapierre Mavic Unity rider Sebastian Fini Carstensen. Carstensen finished in 36th. Brazillian superstar Henrique Avancini onboard the Caloi Elite Carbon FS. Avancini finished the day in 47th position. Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content Pool.Nothing but commitment from Nick Burki on one of the more intimidating rock sections. Schurter comfortably follows the wheel of former World Champion Jordan Sarrou. Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content Pool.Christopher Blevins rarely passes up on an opportunity to show some style for the crowd. The crossover bridge offered the unofficial style wars. New Zealand’s Ben Oliver submits his entry. Sebastian Fini Carstensen says “call me DHL, I’ll send it.”Nino Schurter rode clear of the field in the fifth lap and didn’t look back. Photo: Bartek Wolinski, Red Bull Content Pool.A long time coming, Nino gets his 34th World Cup victory and beats Julien Absalon’s record for the most wins. This was a big win for Schurter. Getting the record he was so clearly seeking, and doing it in front of a home crowd. It takes a village. The winners.
No big celebrations for this lot – the next round in Leogang, Austria, is just a week away.
