Race Report: UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup – Villard-de-lans (Fra)
Sun 2nd Jun, 2019 @ 9:30 pm
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Hugo Briatta and Gaia Tormena win second round of the 2019 UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup in Villard-de-Lans, France. Italian rider Gaia Tormena soloed away to victory in the women’s race, while Hugo Briatta had to go deep to pull off a victory in front of Felix Klausmann and defending UCI World Champion Titouan-Perrin Ganier.
Hugo Briatta wins over Felix Klausmann and Titouan-Perrin Ganier in a three-up sprint finish
Hugo Briatta qualified first for the men, just ahead of Simon Gegenheimer, and both easily made it through to the final. They were joined by UCI World Champion Titouan-Perrin Ganier of France and Felix Klausmann of Germany. Hugo Briatta attacked on the opening lap to take the lead after the uphill gravel section, with Klausmann and Gegenheimer chasing.
UCI World Champion Titouan-Perrin Ganier missed the jump, but powered back on the second lap and managed to overtake Simon Gegenheimer. Hugo Briatta managed to hold the lead to the line, which came down to a sprint. Titouan-Perrin Ganier took third. Fourth place went to Simon Gegenheimer.
Gaia Tormena solos to victory in the women’s race
She worked her way up to the highest point of the race course and then went on a solo chase, dropping Spain’s Magdalena Duran and European Champion Irina Popova on the last lap. Magdalena Duran moved up to take second, while she had the fastest qualifying lap of the day. Manon Wimmer and Irina Popova finished in third and fourth place respectively.
Gaia Tormena, the 17-year-old Italian rider, just added more sparkle to her trophy case: On Friday, she became the first Italian to win gold in the second round of the UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup. The win marks Tormena’s first ever World Cup victory.
Hugo Briatta is the new leader, Marion Fromberger keeps overall lead
German Marion Fromberger managed to secure ninth place, and retain her overall lead going into the third round in Volterra. Fromberger leads the women’s standings with 72 points. Gaia Tormena sits second at 60 points, followed by Magdalena Duran, also with 60 points.
In the men’s competition, Hugo Briatta becomes the new overall leader with a total of 74 points while Jeroen van Eck is now third with 60 points. Felix Klausmann moves up to second place at 70 points.
World Cup leader Jeroen van Eck missed out for Villard-de-Lans due to an injury. He’s hoping to recover and get back into the game for the third round in Volterra on Saturday, June 15. The Tuscan region will welcome the UCI MTB Eliminator World Cup for a third consecutive year.
Men’s results – Round 2
1. Hugo Briatta (FRA)
2. Felix Klausmann (GER)
3. Titouan-Perrin Ganier (FRA)
4. Simon Gegenheimer (GER)
Women’s results – Round 2
1. Gaia Tormena (ITA)
2. Magdalena Duran (ESP)
3. Manon Wimmer (FRA)
4. Irina Popova (UKR)
Men’s standings
1. Hugo Briatta (FRA) – 74 p.
2. Felix Klausmann (GER) – 70 p.
3. Jeroen van Eck (NED) – 60 p.
Women’s standings
1. Marion Fromberger (GER) – 72 p.
2. Gaia Tormena (ITA) – 60 p.
3. Magdalena Duran (ESP) – 60 p.
