#10 seeded Romain Mayet surprised the race favourites in Val di Sole (Trentino, Italy) conquering the rainbow jersey. The Czech rider repeats and retains the rainbow jersey among women
Daolasa di Commezzadura (Trentino, Italy) lived a long day, ended with the Four-Cross World Championships, organized by Grandi Eventi Val di Sole for the fifth straight year. A chilly night after the heavy downpours of the day couldn’t hold off the passion of the Italian fans, who came in numbers to frame the whole 600 mt course in Daolasa, with the all-peculiar soundtrack of the chainsaws boosting the riders’ efforts.
On Friday August 2nd, the Val di Sole night two traditional Four-Cross schools on the top of the podium, the French and the Czech. Frenchman Roman Mayet surprised the race favourites in the men’s competition, claiming the gold medal, whilst Czech Romana Labounkova retained her title in the women’s race.
#10 seeded, Mayet preceded in the final round Canadian Elliot Heap (5) and German Felix Beckeman (4), whilst the main favourites, Tomaz Slavik (1) and Lutz Weber (2) were ruled out of the final round – the former’s chances being hampered by a mechanical in the semi-finals.
Romana Labounkova, seed #2, managed the pressure better than her rivals, dominating the final ahead of silver medal Natasha Bradley and bronze Mathilde Bernard.
The biggest disappointment was arguably Raphaela Richter, who had clocked the best time in the qualification and looked always in control through the elimination rounds. In the final act, the German failed to make an impact, ending last and out of the medals.
Tomorrow, Saturday August 3rd, the Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup program continues with the Downhill finals (9.45 JR Women, 10.15 JR Men, 12.30 Elite Women, 13.30 Elite Men) and Electric Snakeat 18.30 featuring Marco Aurelio Fontana and Marco Melandri among the starters. The Downhill race will be aired on Red Bull TV from 12.25.
Daolasa di Commezzadura (Italy), August 2nd, 2019
