With the biggest Elite field seen since the 2012 London Olympics, the Hadleigh Park International was always going to be full of fast and furious racing. Big hitters included Nino Schurter, Julien Absalon, Jolanda Neff and Annie Last, who all turned up to duke it out in a pre-Olympic showdown that had many punters placing bets for the upcoming Rio games. So who came out on top? Check out all the thrills and spills below;
Press Release: We were blessed with brilliant sunshine today but it was the stars who shone brightest! Jolanda Neff and Nino Schurter were victorious in the Elite races, demonstrating just why they are heading to Rio as favourites for Olympic glory.
In the Women’s race Jolanda was joined by many other cross-country stars, including her Swiss compatriots Linda Indergand and Kathrin Stirnemann. Frenchwomen and last year’s World Champion, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, and Australian Champion, Bec Henderson, were among other big-name starters. U23 World Champion Jenny Rissveds also took the start, although she withdrew from the race early, obviously in some physical discomfort.
Neff and Indergand really ignited the race from the start, although they had to shake off Britain’s Annie Last before they were free to fly. Neff’s pace soon proved too high for her Swiss Olympic team mate and she rode away to the win. Indergand didn’t come under too much pressure in second, but behind her the chase – which included Last, Stirnemann, Henderson and Ferrand-Prevot – was ever-evolving. Last, who is coming back from a prolonged period of illness, dropped back as Ferrand-Prevot showed us that her injury is getting better by moving up and settling into third. Stirnemann was able to eventually reel in Henderson and take fourth spot. Henderson rounded out the podium in fifth.
Nino was a clear winner in the end, but in the beginning it was a melee of to-ing and fro-ing as the riders scrabbled for position. Again there were many stars of XC in the Men’s race; a plethora London 2012 medallists and Rio medal contenders. There were the Swiss, headed by Schurter and including Matthias Stirnemann, Lars Forster, Andri Frischknecht and Thomas Litscher. The two-time Olympic gold medallist Julien Absalon was joined by French Olympic Team mate Maxime Marotte, plus a whole host of others including Marco Fontana, Manuel Fumic, Sam Gaze and Michiel van der Heijden.
The start was led out by Gaze, the U23 World Champion, but groups formed and fragmented constantly over the opening laps as the race found its rhythm. Absalon didn’t have the best of starts, but then we know this isn’t his strength and a steady, deadly come back is…
As Gaze faded and Fontana punctured, Schurter began to tighten his grip on the race. Stirnemann was the man to stick with him as others faded until a dramatic crash curtailed his chances of a win. Stirnemann was able to continue and fought valiantly in the final lap, but Luca Braidot, who had been dangerously quiet thus far, was able to overtake into second spot by the finish. Absalon was solid in fourth place, and Litscher, who had led the race for a short while, was comfortable in fifth.
One of the most thrilling battles of all was happening just behind the leaders as Fumic, van der Heijden and Martin Gluth fought a tight battle, never more than a metre or two from each other. They caught and passed Marotte in the latter stages to set up a sprint finish for sixth. Gluth was able to take it with Fumic seventh and van der Heijden eighth. Marotte and Frischknecht rounded out the stop ten.
Earlier in the day the Junior Men gave us an exciting race, with a large lead group only splitting on the last half lap to determine the podium of this round of the UCI Junior Series. William Gascoyne had a great start and gave the home crowds plenty to cheer about in the opening stages until a puncture saw him drop out of contention. Thankfully for the British fans Cameron Orr was on hand to take up the challenge. However, a stinging attack from Jofre Cullell on the last lap blew the group apart and he was able to take the victory by six seconds. Nick Burki took second and Ursin Spescha was third, just ahead of Orr.
The UCI Junior Series for Women was won in commanding fashion by Great Britain’s Sophie Wright. Sophie had a conservative start but her climbing prowess soon saw her move to the front of the race and pull clear of her competitors. Anna Spielmann and Lisa Pastiener duelled it out for second and third with Spielmann able to pull clear of her rival by the finish.
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And in the Elite Mens race best brit was self funded (living off savings!) Phil Pearce. Needs sponsorship for next year or he’s hanging up his boots.
We were there cheering everyone on, especially our local champ Phil Pearce. Amazing racing on a great course and great to see the juniors racing so well. Properly inspirational for my kids too.
Phil – keep at it!
Yes was a great event. I watch all the World Cups so good to see the riders in person. Going back at the end of the month to ride the venue as well, very impressed.
Yeah us too. Thinking of a kids club trip to ride there, then maybe i’ll sneak an MSG race in too. Wrong region for me, but looks worth it to race there.