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credits: Pierre Teyssot e Michele Mondini
COMMEZZADURA (VAL DI SOLE – TRENTINO), 11 September 2016 – The 2016 UCI Mtb World Championship in Val di Sole 2016 featured a spectacular Elite men’s race. Spectators went crazy when one of the super favourites, USA’s Aaron Gwin, the last down the Black Snake, broke rear wheel upon landing after Val di Sole Jump, he was sixth at the second intermediate. Winner of 2016 World Cup had to sadly withdraw loosing the only missing title in his career. But this was not the only surprise of men Elite final: 2015 world champion French Loic Bruni, crashed out near the Chill zone when one of his tyres went flat. Other potential podium riders Australia’s Troy Brosnan and South Africa’s Greg Minnaar did not convince, finishing 4th (+5.877) and 7th (+7.124) respectively.
The gold medal went back around Danny Hart’s neck five years after 2011 victory in Champery (Switzerland). This has been a great season for team MS Mondraker’s rider, with four victories in a row in the last three World Cup rounds, topped with this eagerly-awaited World championship victory.
“I couldn’t believe it until I saw my time on the screen. It was an incredible race and I am really excited. I am also so happy for my team mate Laurie Greenland, I knew he could do well but I did not expect to find him on the hot seat when I crossed the finish line” said thrilled Danny Hart at the end of the awards ceremony.
His victory was not that predictable because 19-year-old Greenland, did the race of his life clocking an incredible time of 3:35.411, in line with Hart’s Saturday timed run. A silver, which is worth gold due to his young age and adds to the gold won in 2015 Juniors. Only French Florent Payet was able to narrow the gap with Greenland (+2.120), staying in the hot seat for quite a long time. However, French had already impressed during the timed runs when he took third. But it was impossible to beat Danny “Redcar Rocket” Hart who clocked 3:32.484, with Greenland and Payet sliding behind the British and clinching unexpected silver and bronze medals.
The best Italian athlete Francesco Colombo finished 31st at 21.250 from the top. Johannes Von Klebelsberg 36th, Carlo Caire 40th, Gianluca Vernassa 53rd, and Mario Milani 89th, while Loris Revelli had to withdraw.
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