Events »
2006 UCI World Cup # 3: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
After a six week layoff between the first two UCI cross country events, the world’s top xc racers were back in the saddle over the weekend, enduring muddy conditions on a course that was modified in the days leading up to the race. Both Julien Absalon and Gunn-Rita Dahle continued where they left off the previous week, stamping their authority all over this year’s series.
Men’s event
Like last week’s race in Spain, the third World Cup xc race of the season saw another huge field, with 250 riders lined up at the start. After the gun, riders sprinted up the Francorchamps Formula One track before moving into singletrack. The lead pack gained an obvious advantage over the rest of the field, as riders who were stuck in the back had to deal with a tangle of bikes, bodies, and thick mud.
In the end, Absalon (FRA) showed he is still the class of the field with a comfortable margin of victory. Filip Meirhaeghe almost podiumed, placing notice that he’s rounding back into form after serving his suspension for EPO use. Bart Brenjens built on his solid start to the season, ending the race in 6th place, just over 5 minutes behind Absalon.
Men’s results. 5.5 laps, 35.5km
- Julien Absalon (FRA, Bianchi-Agos) 2:14:53
- Jose Antonio Hermida Ramos (ESP, Multivan-Merida) 0:27 back
- Ralph Näf (SUI, Multivan-Merida) 2:13
- Filip Meirhaeghe (BEL, Groep Versluys-Sportstech-Landbouwkredie) 3:36
- Roel Paulissen (BEL, Giant) 5:10
- Bart Brentjens (NED, Giant) 5:15
- Christoph Sauser (SUI, Specialized) 6:53
- Carlos Coloma Nicolas (ESP, Proflex) 7:03
- Jader Zoli (ITA, KTM International) 7:11
- Nino Schurter (SUI, Swisspower) 7:16
Women’s event
Much like the men’s event, the women’s race took place on an extremely muddy course that made things difficult for many of the competitors. As usual, Gunn-Rita Dahle destroyed the rest of the field, building up a lead of over 2 minutes and finishing the race in first place ahead of Russia’s Irina Kalentieva. Canadian Marie-Helene Premont crossed the line in third place, just over three minutes behind Dahle. Premont’s teammate, Canadian Alison Sydor, battled a mechanical problem on the first lap to finish strongly, recording a top ten finish (9th) for the race.
Women’s results. 3.5 laps, 23.5 km
- Gunn-Rita Dahle (NOR, Multivan-Merida) 1:36:51
- Irina Kalentieva (RUS, Topeak-Ergon) 2:10 back
- Marie-Helene Premont (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 3:11
- Sabine Spitz (GER, Specialized) 4:27
- Lene Byberg (NOR, Bikin’Cyprus) 4:46
- Nina Göhl (GER, Multivan-Merida) 5:03
- Margarita Fullana Riera (ESP, Spiuk Illes Balears) 7:03
- Katerina Nash (CZE, Luna Women’s Team) 7:53
- Alison Sydor (CAN, Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 8:21
- Cecile Rode (FRA, Lapierre International) 8:26
Next weekend, the riders on the circuit head to Fort William in Scotland for a ‘mega-weekend’, where spectators can catch a glimpse of Dahle and Absalon, along with other faves from the downhill circuit like Steve Peat, Nathan Rennie, Sam Hill, Cedric Gracia, and Fabien Barel.