MTB News: Cyclocross specialist Mathieu van der Poel finally clinched his first XCO World Cup win at the 2019 UCI Cross-Country Mountain Bike World Cup in Nové Město. Just one week after the action-packed season opener in Albstadt, the Dutchman organized the weekend just the way he likes it: on Friday he had reason to celebrate with his victory in the short track.
Dutch cyclocross specialist Mathieu van der Poel has finally made it. On the technically demanding course in Nové Město, he was able to hold his own with a lead of 19 seconds over second-placed Nino Schurter from Switzerland and thus secured his first XCO World Cup victory. Both van der Poel and Schurter didn't give the chasing group a chance and continuously increased their lead during the race. An exciting duel for third place ensued behind the leading duo. The local Ondrej Cink had the upper hand for a long time, but on the second to last lap the Swiss Mathias Flückiger attacked and finally crossed the finish line in front of Henrique Avancini from Brazil and Ondrej Cink. After his victory in Albstadt, the Swiss can once again finish on the podium.
“The start was good for me, I managed it really well. More would not have been possible, I am very satisfied” – Mathias Flückiger
Kate Courtney again the fastest
In the women's race, the American Kate Courtney repeated her impressive performance from Albstadt in front of enthusiastically celebrating fans at the side of the track. In the end, a total of 36 seconds separated her from Rebecca McConnell from New Zealand, who in turn finished six seconds ahead of Canada's Haley Smith. Before the XCO races on Sunday, the short track races were held on Friday. Mathieu van der Poel was also able to win here, followed by Maxime Marotte from France and Henrique Avancini. In the women's field, Chloe Woodruff from the USA asserted herself ahead of Briton Annie Last and Jolanda Neff from Switzerland.