UCI Mountain Bike World Series: Nino Schurter powers to win at Val di Sole as Puck Pieterse claims dominant win

Nino Schurter cruised to a 35th UCI World Cup win with a dominant victory at the Cross-Country Olympic World Cup at Val di Sole, while Puck Pieterse was triumphant in the women’s elite race. Schurter, of Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team, crossed the line in 1:20:22 for his sixth World Cup win at the Italian venue, some 26 seconds ahead of second-placed Mathias Fluckiger (Thomus RN Racing Team). Ad The Swiss, 37, edged in front of the early pacesetter Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon CLLCTV) just six minutes into the race and it was a position he held onto comfortably as he secured another victory.

Mountain Bike‘Absolutely unstoppable’ — Schurter storms to brilliant Men's elite Cross-country win2 HOURS AGO «Yeah, it feels really good realising that I'm in really great shape,» Schurter said at the conclusion of the race. «I have a really great set up at the moment on my bike. Having such a great bike working on those difficult tracks, it goes so well.

»From the start I realised I'm quite strong at the climbs as well and it was another insane ride here. I love it here in Italy!" He had been followed closely in an intense battle with Alan Hatherly (Cannondale Factory Racing), but the South African couldn’t maintain such a blistering pace and eventually fell to fifth position after dropping off in the fourth lap. Taking third position was Vlad Dascalu (Trek Factory Racing) who beat Joshua Dubau (Rockrider Ford Racing Team) to the final podium place following an exciting sprint finish.