Cross Country team secures a podium and a win in World Cup #2
It was an incredible weekend of racing for the Trek Factory Racing Cross Country team, with a win in the U-23 women’s race, a third place in the elite men’s race, and a top-10 in the elite women’s race.
After an auspicious start last weekend in the U-23 women’s race, Evie Richards came to the second race of the World Cup season looking for the top-step on the podium.
Evie had a great start to the race, and was keen to avoid any costly mistakes. Last week’s tumble in the heat of the race certainly cost her, and this weekend was not to be the same.
A consistent and mistake free race were part of the day’s success. In her own words,
"I can't quite believe I just won my first World Cup, it feels so amazing to win, due to all the hard work myself and everyone around me put in. After leading from the start loop, Kate took on the race early and we both got a gap. I felt strong up the steep climbs and I really pushed myself on the descents, it was super dry and fast, my dropper post gave me that extra confidence on the descents and I'm super happy I ran it."
"Coming into the last descent I knew I had a 50 second gap, unfortunately my rear tire began to deflate half way down the descent, but nothing was going to stop me this close to the line! I'm very lucky to have such amazing support and I was so pleased I could do my family and friends proud, I was spoiled with a surprise party when I got home!"
Anton Cooper is showing the world what many knew already, that he is a rider to watch. The Kiwi began in better position this week after his solid result last weekend, and certainly benefited from it.
Although the top-3 is a dream come true for Anton, it wasn’t expected for the first year elite rider. In his own words,
"I really wasn't expecting that today and would have been more than satisfied with another top 10. To come 3rd was just mind blowing. With 7 laps plus a start loop on the cards and in close to 30 degree heat I knew I had to pace myself plus keep cool and on top of my hydration. I had a good start and over the course of the next 2 laps was riding in among a big group of chasers. The chase group whittled down lap by lap and with 4 to go there was just 4 of us left."
"The lead group of 3 then became 2 as Mathias crashed out and I started to lay down the hammer over the last few laps, going solo in 3rd to the line. Racing in front of so many friends and family here was really special and to bag my first ever Elite World Cup podium in front of a wonderful crowd was a great feeling. Already looking forward to the next!"
Emily Batty was back in action after a disappointing first round of the World Cup season. The Canadian came to Albstadt, Germany with focus and determination. In her own words,
"After the Czech World Cup, I quickly refocused for round two of the World Cup series in Albstadt, Germany and targeted a better race outcome through a routine focused on small details. With an entire week in Germany to adequately prepare, I knew I could find more within myself and that's exactly what I did."
"I had strong opening laps and slowly made my way up to 7th place by the last lap until a untimely rear flat set me back to finish 10th place. I'm not totally back to the form I had in 2016 and perhaps the year of the Olympics took more out of me than I knew. However, these two results have fueled my fire and I'm motivated for the next four weeks of training."
The team’s next stop is the third round of the Cross Country World Cup in Vallnord, Andorra on July 2nd. Catch the replays, and watch the team live on RedBull TV.
