MTB World Cup Albstadt: Will Nino Schurter make history?
BIKE
· 05.05.2022
Nino Schurter (SUI) and his long-time rival, the now retired Julien Absalon (FRA), were successful several times on the climbing-heavy course at the MTB World Cup in Albstadt. But the two cross-country legends have much more in common than their victories on the Alb. With Schurter's victory at the 2022 MTB World Cup opener in Petrópolis the two riders now hold the joint record of 32 individual World Cup victories. With Absalon no longer able to actively compete since the end of his career in 2018, Schurter has the opportunity to be crowned the sole record holder this weekend in Albstadt. But the competition is tough: last year's winner Victor Koretzky (FRA) is taking a break from his road racing season and will be at the start in Albstadt, as will Olympic MTB champion Tom Pidcock (GBR). Only Mathieu van der Poel (NED), last year's short track winner, is missing because he is competing in the Giro d'Italia. Mathias Flückiger, overall World Cup winner in 2021, will also have a say in victory on the climbing-heavy course in the Bulletäle. Exciting from a German perspective: Max Brandl (Lexware) will make his World Cup debut. He recently suffered a crash in training in Heubach. In addition, Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon) will be trying to move up significantly further at his home World Cup than his 45th place in Brazil.
"I'm in good shape and I'm optimistic about Albstadt. However, I've already experienced both. A few close wins and a few close losses like last year. It's sure to be another fierce battle for victory. I hope I can have my say again. We will see!" - Nino Schurter
The MTB World Cup races in Albstadt live on Red Bull TV:
Short track race
Women - Friday, 6 May at 17:30
Men - Friday 6 May at 18:15
Cross Country
Women - Sunday, 8 May at 11:20 a.m.
Men - Sunday, 8 May at 14:35
Jolanda Neff returns
The women's competition offers a completely different picture with different winners almost every year: the top spot in Albstadt has already been occupied by greats of the sport such as Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (FRA), Kate Courtney (USA) and Jolanda Neff (SUI) - the only rider to have been successful twice in Albstadt. They are all back this year and hungry for another success. However, the competition from the young guns is just as strong, with riders such as last year's Albstadt winner Loana Lecomte (FRA), who also won the overall World Cup in 2021, as well as Austrians Laura Stigger and newcomer Mona Mitterwallner, who all finished on the podium in Petrópolis in third, fourth and fifth place. Australia's Rebecca McConnell, who won her first ever World Cup in the Brazilian jungle, will also be trying to make it to the top of the podium again.
