![\"ccs-41808-0-43984900-1397459494.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.bikehub.co.za\/production\/uploads\/2023\/02\/ccs-41808-0-43984900-1397459494.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nJulien Absalon of BMC MTB Racing punches the air after claiming victory in the elite men’s cross country race<\/span><\/p>\n BMC MTB Racing\u2019s Absalon started slowly but soon found himself locked in a titanic tussle with Pietermaritzburg favourite and three time winner at the venue, Nino Schurter of SCOTT-Odlo MTB Racing, and the expected fascinating final two laps had the large crowd abuzz with excitement.<\/p>\n The contest was however dashed shortly after the midway point of the penultimate lap when Schurter punctured his rear wheel, opening the doorway for Absalon to power home unchallenged to claim the win.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really happy. It\u2019s great to win the first World Cup, especially with it being here in South Africa where I crashed twice and broke ribs at last year\u2019s World Champs,\u201d Absalon after his 27th World Cup race victory.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t the fastest downhill and I arrived a little bit stressed after my two crashes last year. I wasn\u2019t really feeling comfortable in the Tree House rock garden but I did a safe line, maybe not the fastest but a safe one, and the feeling and shape was good so I was happy.<\/p>\n Manuel Fumic of Cannondale Factory Racing soared to second place in the elite men’s cross country race<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI used a lot of energy during the first lap to overtake about fifteen guys. Once I got up to Nino it was a nice fight though. He was very fast in some of the technical sections but then he got a flat tyre.<\/p>\n Smelling blood, Absalon took full advantage of the opportunity and charged ahead, knowing all too well that then third placed Manuel Fumic of Cannondale Factory Racing would soon discover Schurter\u2019s misfortune as well.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I saw his flat I knew I had to go full gas. I also knew Manuel (Fumic) was not far behind and pushing hard so I only thought about going full gas to the finish line!<\/p>\n Schurter will miss the second leg of the World Cup series in Cairns, Australia due to a rare appears in a major road race and so Absalon\u2019s Pietermaritzburg victory gives him a notable advantage in the race for the overall World Cup title.<\/p>\n \u201cI will return to France tomorrow for one week\u2019s training at home, then I go back to Australia and hopefully I can arrive back in Europe after that still with the leaders jersey!<\/p>\n After surging past a helpless Schurter, Fumic gave it his all to reel in the leader however risking losing his second place, and its all-important respective UCI points, wasn\u2019t something the German star was willing to do.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought I could win at least once here in Pietermaritzburg but there was no shame finishing behind Julian today and today I proved again that I can ride really well on the Pietermaritzburg course,\u201d said the bubbly character.<\/p>\n \u201cMy tactics were to always try be more or less in the front, especially through the technical sections, because then you have the freedom of choosing your own lines.<\/p>\n Maxime Marrote (BH-Suntour-KMC) rounded out the top three of the elite men’s cross country race<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn the end Nino was a bit unlucky with his puncture and so I managed to get past him and then I just fought as hard as I could for my second place.<\/p>\n \u201cI love South Africa, I spend the European winter here. I love the country and Pietermaritzburg and it was just another really a good day here for me again,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Maxime Marotte (BH-Suntour-KMC) put in a consistent effort throughout the contest and deservedly claimed third place while a gutsy Schurter eventually crossed the line in sixth position.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s obviously disappointing, I was in a good position and I was just trying to put Julian in the hurt box after I\u2019d recognized he was starting to have a few troubles,\u201d said Schurter.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately I flatted and in quite a bad place too so I had to ride quite a far way with the flat, but that\u2019s racing.<\/p>\n \u201cI had quite a lot of good luck here in the last three years, this one was unfortunately the one with the bad luck!<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you see guys flying past you it\u2019s always a bad feeling but it\u2019s happened to everyone and you have to accept it. Hopefully next time I will have better luck and be back for more podiums,\u201d added the World Champion.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n