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2011-5-8 15:34 |
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September 15: Elite Men Cross Country,
Kessiakoff wins his first World Cup
By Rob Jones in Maribor
Fredrik Kessiakoff (Cannondale-Vredestein)
Photo ©: Rob Jones
The final round of the cross-country World Cup was the first cross-country World Cup to be held in Maribor, Slovenia, so it was only fitting that a first-time winner took the top step of the podium as Fredrik Kessiakoff (Cannondale-Vredestein) became the first Swede to win a World Cup. There were no surprises in the overall standings, with recently crowned world champions Irina Kalentyeva (Topeak-Ergon) and Julien Absalon (Orbea) winning the overall titles.
Cannondale-Vredestein took firm control of the race from the start, with team mates Roel Paulissen, Jakob Fuglsang, Kessiakoff and Kashi Leuchs all at the front on the first descent. They were joined by Christoph Sauser (Specialized), Manuel Fumic (Fumic Brothers Racing), Jose Hermida (Multivan-Merida) and Geoff Kabush (Maxxis). Kabush was still feeling the effects of an arm injury two weeks earlier, and faded as the race went on (finishing 45th), but the others proved to be the main race animators.
The one name missing was that of world champion and already World Cup champion Julien Absalon. Absalon admitted to having little motivation for the race, saying: "I did it just for fun today. I had a really bad start, and it is hard to fight back when you have no goal in the race. In the middle I caught up to my team mate Inaki Lejarreta, who is fighting for a Spanish Olympic selection, so my goal became to work for him during the race."
Absalon patiently worked for Lejarreta all race, moving him up to 17th and then holding back at the line to let the Spaniard cross first.
Christoph Sauser (Specialized)
Photo ©: Rob Jones
Back at the front, the race was down to three riders by the start of lap two - Kessiakoff, Sauser and Hermida. The Swede attacked halfway up the climb, splitting the group, with Hermida immediately giving chase and Sauser deciding to play a waiting game.
"They were both too fast, and it was too early," commented Sauser. "I know Freddy blows when he goes out so hard, so I was waiting for weakness there. But this time he didn't. I caught Jose (on lap five), but Freddy was out of reach."
Manuel Fumic also caught a tiring Hermida with a lap to go, to take third, with Paulissen rounding out the top-five. Adam Craig (Giant), after his patented slow start, moved up steadily through the field to finish 12th, the top North American result. "I finally got going halfway through the race," said Craig. "Once it opened up I could pass, and catch riders on the tricky bits. I haven't been feeling super tip-top, so I'll take this result."
Road professional Gilberto Simoni (Saunier Duval-Prodir)
Photo ©: Rob Jones
Kessiakoff was ecstatic with his win; riding much of the last lap with a grin on his face after the gap to Sauser went over a minute and his win seemed assured. "Finally! I've been waiting for this one for a long time," he exclaimed. "I just decided to give it everything; why hold back? It is the last important race of the season, so it was do or die for me."
Hermida took second in the final overall standings behind Absalon, with Sauser third, Paulissen fourth and Kessiakoff moving into fifth.
Race Notes
- Despite the team announcing that he would ride a full suspension bike in a World Cup for the first time, Julien Absalon ended up sticking to his usual hard tail. "I am more comfortable with it," he explained. "Maybe this winter I will spend some time testing a full suspension bike." |
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发表于 2007-9-18 20:15
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