Ruska Saarela, Finland and Vojtech Ludvik, Czechia both recorded their second victory in the CX80 WMTBOC today, Saarela by 18 seconds and Ludvik by just over 3 minutes. Czechia’s men were wholly dominant, packing four riders into the top six.
The women’s race, over 28.9 km with 360 m climb, was a fascinating contest between the two top riders this season, Saarela and the Dane Nikoline Splittorff. It was Splittorff who led through the first hour, taking advantage of a mistake by Saarela costing her 1.25, but in the last half-hour of the race the tables were turned, with Splittorff down on Saarela by 0.24 3 minutes before the finish. Ursina Jaeggi, Switzerland, eleventh in the World Cup standings before today, was eighth early on but then rode strongly throughout to take the bronze medal, 2.46 down. Camilla Søgaard, Denmark, silver medalist in Mass Start, began strongly and was placed third after 45 minutes of racing, but then couldn’t hold the pace on a hot and sunny day, and dropped back.
A master-class by the Czech men’s team was the highlight of the men’s race, where Ludvik won over his compatriot Krystof Bogar, gold medalist in the Sprint, by 3.08. Ludvik was fastest throughout, and Bogar second-fastest over the gruelling 37.5 km course with 400 m of climbing. Bronze medalist was home rider Bartosz Niebielski, 3.54 down – his second bronze medal in two days. Austrian Andreas Waldmann was fourth; Czechs Vojtech Stransky and Jan Hasek also achieved podium placings.
In the Junior World MTBO Championships, the women’s race ended in a tie – after riding 1:38:58! – between Imante Aleliunaite, Lithuania and the Swiss rider Malin Lara Roerhl, so two gold medals awarded there. Jakub Racansky, Czechia was a clear winner of the men’s race, 4.12 ahead.
The final races of the CX80 World MTBO Championships, the Relay races, take place tomorrow starting at 11.00 CEST, and as with all the other races, will be available to watch free of charge on IOF TV with English commentary.
Leading results, Long Distance
Women
- Ruska Saarela FIN 1:33:21
- Nikoline Splittorff DEN 1:33:39
- Ursina Jaeggi SUI 1:36:07
- Tilda Palm SWE 1:37:17
- Gabrielle Gustafsson SWE 1:37:37
- Constance Devillers FRA 1:38:11
Men
- Vojtech Ludvik CZE 1:48:51
- Krystof Bogar CZE 1:51:59
- Bartosz Niebielski POL 1:52:45
- Andreas Waldmann AUT 1:53:48
- Vojtech Stransky CZE 1:56:11
- Jan Hasek CZE 1:56:23
Junior World MTBO Championships
Women
1= Imante Aleliunaite LTU & Malin Lara Roehrl SUI 1:38:58
- Aino Kankaanpaa FIN + 3.43
Men
- Jakub Racansky CZE
- Eemil Koskinen FIN + 4.12
- Matteo Traversi Montani ITA + 4.31