Race Recap: Val di Sole XC World Cup

3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network

Under the blazing Italian sun, Val di Sole in Trentino hosted the forth round of the 2023 XC World Cup on Sunday.

3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
Neff, Pieterse and Stigger get the jump on the pack.

The Women’s Race

The Women’s XCO race was dominated by the breakout star of the series, Dutch rising star Puck Pieterse, who claimed her third win from four races by a massive margin of 52s after breaking away from the field to ride solo on the first lap. Italian Martina Berta rode her best-ever World Cup race to finish second on home soil ahead of Australian Rebecca Henderson in third. Austrian’s Laura Stigger and Mona Mitterwalner rounded out the podium. South Africa’s Candice Lill placed 22nd and sits 29th in the points.

3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
Neff and Stigger share the holeshot.
3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
After a steady start Rebecca Henderson picked riders off one by one for an eventual third place finish.
3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
Inspired by an adoring fan base, Italian Martina Berta claimed a career best second place.
3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
Fast as lightning off the start line, with remarkable climbing prowess and skills to boot on the descents, CX star Puck Pieterse is the real deal when it comes to XC.
3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
On lap one Puck rode off the front, opened a gap on the best in the world and never looked back. With this win, Puck Pieterse extends her lead in the overall to a massive 296 points.

Results

  1. Puck Pieterse NED 1h 19m 49s
  2. Martina Berta ITA +52s
  3. Rebecca Henderson AUS +1m 0s
  4. Laura Stigger AUT +1m 6s
  5. Mona Mitterwallner: AUT +1m 53s

Women’s XCO standings

  1. Puck Pieterse NED 1096 points
  2. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot FRA 800
  3. Laura Stigger AUT 690
  4. Anne Terpstra NED 667
  5. Alessandra Keller SUI 662

The Men’s Race

After a long duel with SA’s Alan Hatherly, Nino Schurter opened a gap on the field to claim his 35th World Cup victory by a margin of 26s over compatriot Mathias Flückiger. Newly crowned European Champion Vlad Dascălu finished a further 12s behind Flückiger. Joshua Dubau claimed fourth place and Alan rounded out the podium, just 52 seconds back on Nino.

3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
Right from the start Alan made his intentions clear. He’d attack, set a high pace and dig in deep to hold on.
3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
It was another strong ride by Vlad Dascalu. From 33rd early on to a 3rd place finish. Quite incredible.
3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
Running the A-lines on the tricky descent Alan and Nino opened a gap on the rest and continued to drive the pace upfront. Bike racing in Italy is BIG.
3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
After multiple attacks Nino moved clear of Alan on lap 4 and stomped off to a record 35th World Cup win.
3 july, val di sole italy | results of the uci mountain bike world cup in val di sole italy with alan hatherly and nino schurter as published on bike network
5th on the day catapults Alan into 3rd in the overall. What a lad!

Results

  1. Nino Schurter SUI 1h 20m 22s
  2. Mathias Flückiger SUI +26s
  3. Vlad Dascălu ROU +38s
  4. Joshua Dubau FRA +38s
  5. Alan Hatherly RSA +52s

Men’s XCO standings

  1. Nino Schurter SUI 848 points
  2. Jordan Sarrou FRA 726
  3. Alan Hatherly RSA 721
  4. Luca Schwarzbauer GER 718
  5. Mathias Flückiger SUI 681

| IMAGES: UCI and Karolina Krasinka |

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