June 20, 2008

Hat trick for Schurter at World Championships

Ride.ch

Nino Schurter dominated the U-23 XC race at the Mountain Bike World Championship June 20 in Val di Sole, Italy. After riding four laps with South African Burry Stander, Schurter didn't give Stander any more chances and rode away for the victory. Stander took the silver medal ahead of Mathias Flückiger, who improved the Swiss balance with his bronze medal. 

For a long time it seemed like a back-breaking fight between two world class athletes. In just the first lap, Schurter and Stander were able to put distance between themselves and the other riders and throughout the race that distance increased. It was within the realm of possibility to see a final sprint for the win by the two leaders, but then Schurter increased the pace and Stander was unable to keep up with him. 


Nino Schurter

Mathias Flückiger was riding his own race three minutes in arrears but had a lead of one minute over the main field. Fabian Giger completed the triumph of the Swiss riders – he crossed the line fourth and confirmed that his finish at the European Championships was no fluke. He knew that the podium was impossible because of the fast pace right from the beginning, but the fact that two Swiss riders were among the leaders was very motivating for him. Pascal Meyer was the fourth Swiss racer to finish in the top ten.

This is the third World Championship title for Schurter. He won the junior race in Les Gets (2002)and the U-23 race in Rotura, New Zealand in 2006. His second place, behind Jakob Fuglsang, in last year's U-23 race was his biggest defeat. But with the title in Val di Sole, Schurter can once again dons the rainbow jersey, even if it's just for a brief period: next season he will move up to elites, where only World Champions in that category are allowed to wear the rainbow jersey.


World champion 

Mathias Flückiger has two years more in the U-23 category. The junior World Champion from Rotura has improved his achievement in every race and ranks highly among the potential Swiss leaders. Fabian Giger will also remain in the U-23 class for one more season. 

Results: 2008 Mountain Bike World Championships, U-23 Men's Cross Country
1. Nino Schurter (SUI)
2. Burry Stander (RSA)
3. Mathias Flückiger (SUI)
4. Fabian Giger (SUI)
5. Stephane Tempier (FRA)
6. Dario Gasco (ARG)
7. Raphael Gagne (CAN)
8. Frank Beemer (NED)
9. Pascal Meyer (SUI)
10. Robert Gehbauer (AUT)

Medal tally after the Men's U-23 race:
1. Switzerland: 5 medals (1 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze)
2. France: 2 medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze)
3. Colombia: 1 medal (1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze)
4. Slovenia: 1 medal (1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze)
5. Slovakia: 1 medal (1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze)

Swisspower Mountainbike team riders and Scott bikes are World Champion!!!!
- Nino Schurter U23 World Champion
- Florian Vogel 2nd at World’s category Elite
- Matthias Rupp 3rd at World’s category Junior

Ranking bike brands XC:
1. Scott: 8 Medals (2 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze)
2. Specialized: 2 Medals (2 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze)
3. Merida: 3 Medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze)
4. MBK: 2 Medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 0 Bronze)
5. Lee Cougan: 1 Medal (1 Gold, 0 Silver, 0 Bronze)