The e-MTB short track entertained the Bike Land public. Two-time Olympic Champion Absalon and former MotoGP rider Marco Melandri were among the participants
Marco Aurelio Fontana is the first champion of Val di Sole’s Electric Snake. After becoming the present of the cycling market, pedal assisted rides are now quicky extending to the competition world. The first time of eMTB racing in Val di Sole World Cup weekend offered a race with several big names, and above all fun and entertaining for the bunch of spectators.
After the Black Snake show, the fans moved to the Electric Snake arena on Saturday August 3rd, the second day of the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup weekend in Val di Sole.
Organized in collaboration with Shimano, the e-MTB short track delivered spectacular racing, emotions and even a twist of fate, as two-time Olympic Champion Julien Absalon saw a nearly-certain win vanish due to a broken chain.
Marco Aurelio Fontana took over the lead, and managed it to the finish, flanked on the podium by Kjell Van den Booghert and Andrea Garibbo. Featuring in the race were also Martino Fruet, Jean Pierre Bruni and former MotoGP rider Marco Melandri.
Val di Sole Tourist Board Director Fabio Sacco voiced his satisfaction after the event: “When the UCI proposed to us to organize an e-Bike competition ahead of the upcoming first time of a World Championship for the category, we thought it was an opportunity to take, in spite of the uncertainty of a new event and its perculiar characteristics. The public’s feedback shows it was a good choice.”
The World Cup program in Val di Sole will come to a close on Sunday August 4th with the Cross-Countryraces. Under 23 Women will open the schedule at 8.30, followed by Under 23 Men at 10.15. RedBull TV will air live the two Elite competitions – Women at 12.20 and Men at 15.05.
Daolasa di Commezzadura (Italy), August 3rd, 2019
