World Cup number 2 of 9, Offenburg, Germany
Race Reports, Sunday April 27th, 2008
Women’s Race @ 10:30: Lene builds on her world cup standing since last weekend
Lene working her way down one of the tricky drops (courtesy Gary Perkin)
As promised, but not in line with previous years here in Offenburg, where rain was the norm, the sun was shinning down brightly, leaving very dry, fast racing conditions. I have to say confidence was high on my part going into Lene’s race and I felt at least a top ten position was realistic, but Lene proved that and more to place a very commendable 7th overall.
Lene working hard to maintain her position (courtesy Gary Perkin)
The women’s racing is very open this year, making for exciting viewing and an outcome, which is hard to predict. Irina Kalentieva set the early race pace, which she was not relinquishing right through to the finish, but she was pushed hard by an ever present Marie Helene Premont, Margarita Fullana and Liu from China, who died in the latter stages. Meanwhile her compatriot Ren, last weekend’s winner looked like she was once again going to foil everybody’s plans on the last lap with a final burst, but this weekend her final burst amounted to a crash and a bloody nose, but a 3rd place overall, which was not too bad. Lene battled hard and at one stage occupied 5th, but in the end was very content with her 7th position behind Sabine Spitz. Lene's world cup ranking has increased from 11th to 9th as a result of today's race.
Lene was very pleased at the finish (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Lene’s Bike:
Bike: Specialized Full Suspension (Women’s Specific)
Tires: Specialized SLK 1.9 (Front and Rear)
Tire Pressures: 28 PSI (Front and Rear)
Fork Pressure: Roc Shoc Sid 45- / 50+
Rear Shock Pressure: 80 PSI
Weight: 9.3 Kilos
For the women’s results please click here
For the women's overall world cup rankings please click here
Men’s Race @ 2pm: Susi tackles all, but the dominate Absalon
Liam Killeen on the start line (courtesy Gary Perkin)
I was confident for a very strong Susi performance today and perhaps even a victory, but once again Julien Absalon was the obstacle that is becoming increasing hard to overcome.
Susi on the front trying to make his mark (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Not known for his starts, Susi was a little out of the action in the opening laps, but became a feature when the real racing commenced. A bunch containing all of the major contenders including Absalon, Hermida, Schurter & Vogel were stuck together like glue until Absalon made his decisive move on the single track through the forests. It was a shrewd move, with Susi in 5th and little room for over taking, it was hard for the group to react. Susi in an after race interview said that it would have been very hard to hold the wheel of Absalon, when he made this key move.
Susi concentrating on one of the courses more technical sections (Courtesy Gary Perkin)
Susi on one of the drops (courtesy Gary Perkin)
As Absalon started to stamp his authority on the field an interesting race was unfolding for second place. By the time Absalon had almost guaranteed victory with a 1 minute lead, Susi decided to make the move for second position. He rode hard putting 10 seconds between himself and his pursuers (Hermida, Vogel and Schurter), which he managed to maintain to the finish. As a result of his second position Christoph now moves to 2nd in the overall world cup rankings going into next weekends World Cup in Madrid. Two years ago in the Madrid, the last time the event was held there, a very impressive race unfolded between Susi and Absalon. I am sure next Sunday’s race will be a similar one!
Susi content with second as he salutes the great crowd (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Meanwhile, Liam Killeen with a start grid of 127 has his work cut out added to the fact that he was carrying a sore throat into the race. Liam struggled throughout the race – it was very clear that he was not feeling well, but despite this managed to move halfway through the field to 65th position. Lets hope a good week of rest and recovery will have Liam ready to tackle things next weekend in Madrid.
Liam Killeen fighting on (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Liam on one of the testing drags (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Christoph’s Bike:
Bike: Specialized Epic Carbon Full Suspension
Tires: Specialized SLK Team 1.8 (Front and Rear)
Tire Pressures: 28 PSI (Front and Rear)
Fork Pressure: Roc Shoc Sid 45- / 50+
Rear Shock Pressure: 85 PSI
Weight: 9.12 Kilos
Liam’s Bike:
Bike: Specialized Epic Carbon Full Suspension
Tires: Specialized SLK Team 1.8 (Front and Rear)
Tire Pressures: 29 PSI (Front and Rear)
Fork Pressure: Roc Shoc Sid 80- / 85+
Rear Shock Pressure: 95 PSI
Weight: 9.12 Kilos
For the men’s results please click here
For the men's overall world cup rankings please click here
Susi on the podium (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Men's Podium L-R: Christoph Sauser, Julien Absalon and Florian Vogel (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Some background photos to the race:
Benno cleaing down one of our bikes (courtesy Gary Perkin)
A few minutes shuteye on Saturday, but one should always be aware that Gary Perkin is never far away!!!! Paparazzi at it's best!!!! (Courtesy the one and only Gary Perkin)