World Cup Number 3 of 9 (XC), Madrid, Spain
Our third dry race in a row is an impressive run of good luck given the time of year and the possibility of rain in Belgium and Germany especially. Here in Madrid though, we had temperatures in the mid 20’s, which provided very fast surfaces and plenty of dust! The venue itself is one that I really like. It’s located in the heart of Madrid, in a city park and given the close proximity of the city attracts a lot of spectators, which gives the event a really cool vibe and feel.
Men's start (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Women's Race: Consistency shines through for Lene
Lene had an amazing start, which is crucial in any world cup, but especially Madrid as the first lap is completed at a serious rate. However, into the first few corners and onto the initial technical section Lene lost ground, which was evident by her 14th position after lap one.
Lene the Norwegian Champion warming up (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Lene working her way to 8th overall (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Meanwhile at the front Lene’s fellow country woman, the girl who missed out much of last year through injury was back. Gunn Rita was to be found on the front pushing the pace, a position we have all got accustomed to over the years. Gunn Rita was pushed hard by both Fullana and Premont. Gunn Rita and Premont managed to shake Fullana in the final two laps, but a finish separating Premont and Gunn Rita by only 1’’ gave Gunn Rita her first World Cup victory of 2008.
As the racing progressed Lene got stronger and stronger and looking at her lap times following the race this was very evident: 14th fastest, 17th fastest, 14th fastest, 9th fastest and 4th fastest. Her last lap was certainly impressive as Lene moved quickly through a number of riders and came close to catching Liu from China, but ran out of ground. Lene finished a solid 8th overall and retains her 9th position in the world cup overall, which she is very satisfied with.
Lene on one of Madrid's short climbs (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Lene all alone on the course (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Lene’s Bike:
Bike: Specialized Full Suspension (Women’s Specific)
Tires: Specialized Team 1.8 (Front and Rear)
Tire Pressures: 27 PSI (Front and Rear)
Fork Pressure: Roc Shoc Sid 60+ / 55-
Rear Shock Pressure: 75 PSI
Weight: 9.23 Kilos
Women’s Results in brief:
1. Gunn Rita Dahle Flessjaa Multivan Merida Biking Team 1 hour 48’ 14’’
2. Marie Helene Premont Rocky Mountain + 0’’
3. Margarita Fullana Massi + 1’13’’
8. Lene Byberg Specialized Factory Racing + 3’17’’
Women’s Overall World Cup Rankings in brief:
1. Marie Helene Premont Rocky Mountain 560 Points
2. Ren Chengyuan China 480 Points
3. Margarita Fullana Massi 460 Points
9. Lene Byberg Specialized Factory Racing 320 Points
Men's Race: A tough day for Susi and Liam moves up the grid
Early on and Susi fighting to hold position (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Susi on the left trying hard to pass, but without the legs (courtesy Gary Perkin)
I had high expectations for Susi today as did Susi, but legs do the talking and today, Susi unfortunately just did not have that fire in his legs that he normally has. It was an interesting race in that many of the usual contenders, such as Schurter, Fulsgang, Naf, Vogel, Paulisson and others were also having a bad day. So there were faces not normally near the front, seen pushing the pace on the front.
Susi pushing through the garden (courtesy Gary Perkin)
For awhile I figured Susi would just move up in his usual style, but today you could just see that he was struggling to pass riders. At the front it was not going to be all about Absalon, well that’s what Jose Hermida had in mind. He tried so hard to over throw the king, but Julien once again showed that he is the class of the field, to drop Jose in the final laps and win his third consecutive world cup of 2008. There are so many positive things you can say about Absalon. He is very impressive.
Despite finishing 12th, Susi although disappointed, will be pleased to retain his second place position in the overall world cup rankings.
Susi on the finish (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Liam Killeen was on fire in the closing laps today. As you will know, having read reports from previous world cups, Liam has had his work cut out given his positioning on the starting grid. This weekend, Liam made amends by moving from 113th to finish 35th. It was an impressive ride from the Englishman and he now moves to 60th overall in the overall rankings, thus giving him a more competitive start position on the grid at the next world cup in Andorra.
Liam successfully made his way through the crowds (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Liam passing through the start finish (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Liam was satisfied at the finish (courtesy Gary Perkin)
Words from Christoph on the race:
This is the fastest course in the world cup circuit. Every climb sprinting full on, and on the long flat section after riding through the start/finish the tactics are going to play. Most of the time nobody wanted to waste energy at this point before heading into the short climbs where it is single file racing for almost the entire race.
I started well, always sticking my nose up the front in this long flat section, but unfortunately not for too long. The first bend before climbing I got stuck in chaos, and found myself back into 20th. Sure if I would have had a very good day, I would have been able to move up front, but just to pass two riders was such a effort. I was pretty much at the limit for most of the time and I also could not ride away from my group over the last two laps even when I tried hard.
Lots of very strong riders struggled big time today. There were some blowing legs, so much, that you could almost hear the explosion! This made me feel a little bit better when I passed them towards the end. But only a little bit...
Christoph’s Bike:
Bike: Specialized S Works Epic (Full Suspension)
Tires: Specialized Team 1.8 (Front and Rear)
Tire Pressures: 28 PSI (Front and Rear)
Fork Pressure: Roc Shoc Sid 60+ / 55-
Rear Shock Pressure: 80 PSI
Weight: 9.13 Kilos
Liam’s Bike:
Bike: Specialized S Works Epic (Full Suspension)
Tires: Specialized SLK 2.0 (Front and Rear)
Tire Pressures: 28 PSI (Front and Rear)
Fork Pressure: Roc Shoc Sid 90+ / 80-
Rear Shock Pressure: 85 PSI
Weight: 9.61 Kilos
Men’s Results in brief:
1. Julien Absalon Orbea 2 hours 12’ 30’’
2. Jose Antonio Ramos Hermida Multivan Merida Biking Team + 12’’
3. Jean-Christophe Peraud Orbea + 52’’
12. Christoph Sauser Specialized Factory Racing + 2’06’’
35. Liam Killeen Specialized Factory Racing + 5’ 32’’
Men’s Overall World Cup Rankings in Brief:
1. Julien Absalon Orbea 750 Points
2. Christoph Sauser Specialized Factory Racing 445 Points
3. Jean-Christophe Peraud Orbea 430 Points
60. Liam Killeen Specialized Factory Racing 36 Points