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In every phenomenon’s career there is one event, one place, one race where he manages to raise the level to the point of becoming so dominant to be almost unbeatable, somehow “unplayable”. Val di Sole’s Cross Country course is to Nino Schurter what the Wimbledon court is to his illustrious compatriot Roger Federer. From this year, perhaps, it’s even something more.
If Federer stopped at eight Wimbledon victories, Nino Schurter played his ninth symphony today, completing an outstanding score. It was clear from the first lap that the Swiss from Team Scott-SRAM was having one of those days when everything comes easy to him. Schurter began his race with a rocket start that immediately resulted in a first selection, with only three riders holding up to his wheel: Hatherly (Cannondale), Sarrou (BMC) and Vidaurre (Specialized).
A burst of pride from Azzaro (Decathlon) and Colombo (Scott-SRAM) allowed a second group to close the gap on the second lap. On the third lap, Schurter managed to open up a new lead by accelerating again, with only Hatherly trying to follow him this time. Behind him, the race for third place was fought out in a small group whose composition changed several times and which also saw the comeback of European champion and Italian rider Simone Avondetto (Wilier-Vittoria) at the end. At the start of the fifth lap, Schurter took advantage of Hatherly's transition into the feed zone and started his solo ride to his ninth Val di Sole victory.
Behind the top two, Braidot, Avondetto, Azzaro, Colombo, Guerrini, Forster and Sarrou battled for third place. Hatherly finished second, 8'' behind Schurter, and the sprint for third place was won by Mathis Azzaro. Luca Braidot was fourth and Filippo Colombo fifth, 46'' behind his compatriot and teammate Schurter, who was already celebrating his 36th birthday.
“I am thrilled, I love Val di Sole,” said Schurter. “The new course is interesting, physically very demanding, but at the same time it requires a sharp tactical approach. My plan was to make the race tough right from the start: to start strong and keep the pace high throughout the race. Towards the middle of the race, I tried to save some energy, but I realized that I had to be persistent to overtake my rival. At 38, it’s a privilege to still be at the front.
Predictions respected in the Men's U23 race in Val di Sole: the American Riley Amos (Trek Factory) confirms himself undefeated in this 2024 WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series. At the end of a head-to-head race, the young talent from the States, already sure of his place at the start of the Paris Olympics race, got the better of his compatriot Bjorn Riley (Trek Future), the winner on Friday’s Short Track. Third place for Switzerland’s Finn Treudler (Cube Factory).
