MTB News: At the first World Cup race of the 2021 season in Albstadt, Germany, Frenchman Viktor Koretzky clinched his first World Cup victory. Due to a technical defect, Mathias Flückiger, who was leading at times, had to settle for third place behind Nino Schurter.
The elite men got down to business right from the start. Both the Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel and the Brazilian Henrique Avancini started off with a lot of speed. In the course of the race, a leading group formed consisting of Nino Schurter, Victor Koretzky, Ondrej Cink and Mathias Flückiger. While the two Swiss Schurter or Flückiger were usually in the lead, the Frenchman Koretzky was stuck to their rear wheels in third place. Cink had some trouble keeping up with the pace, but didn't let himself be shaken off. Then Schurter countered an attack by Flückiger, attacked on the last lap at the end of a climb and thus heralded the final phase. The Frenchman Koretzky was able to keep up, while Mathias Flückiger was forced to ride the long climb in an energy-sapping position. The reason for this was a defect in the seat post cable, which kept the saddle down. Not good conditions for fast times. He squandered unnecessary energy and was no longer able to follow the duo Schurter and Koretzky. Koretzky remained stubborn, overtook the reigning European champion a few meters from the finish line and thus clinched his very first World Cup victory. However, there is not much time to celebrate, as the second World Cup race of the season will take place next week in Nove Mesto (Czech Republic).
“The defect today was very annoying. Nevertheless I am satisfied. I caught a small cold at the Tour de Romandie and therefore only arrived on Friday. That I was still able to compete for victory resp. only a technical defect could stop me makes me confident for the next races!” – Mathias Flückiger
Podium Elite Men
1. Victor Koretzky, FRA, 1:20.23
2. Nino Schurter, SUI, +0.02
3. Mathias Flückiger, SUI, +0.23
Podium Elite Women
1. Loana Lecomte, FRA, 1:21.38
2. Pauline Ferrand Prevot, FRA, +0.53
3. Haley Batten, USA, +1.15
Podium U23 men
1. Carter Woods, CAN, 1:11.49
2. David List, GER, + 0.06
3. Simone Avondetto, ITA, +0.17
Podium short track men
1. Mathieu von der Poel, NED, 20.39
2. Victor Koretzky, FRA, +0.02
3. Nino Schurter, SUI, +0.03
Podium short track women
1. Pauline Ferrand Prevot, FRA, 20.37
2. Linda Indergand, SUI, +0.01
3. Annie Last, GBR, +0.02