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MTB world championships - CM
Rotorua, New Zealand, August 22-27, 2006
Main Page Results Previous Race
Race 14 - August 27: Elite men cross-country
Abslon three-peats with last lap attack
By Rob Jones
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While the women's race may have been decided early, the men's race came down to the last lap, with Julien Absalon (France) finally outlasting Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) to score his third consecutive world title. Fredrik Kessiakoff gave Sweden their first ever cross-country medal at the elite level when he took the bronze.
Kessiakoff started the action on the first lap of the seven lap race, attacking at the start of the climb and opening an eight second gap by the top on recently crowned world marathon champion Ralf Naf (Switzerland). At 19 seconds an elite chase group was forming, containing Absalon and Sauser.
Kessiakoff was caught on the descent by Naf, and the pair were then joined early in the second lap by Sauser and Absalon to form the lead group which would determine the world champion. Florian Vogel (Switzerland) and Ollie Beckingsale (Great Britain) were leading the chase, but were over a minute back by the end of lap two.
At the front it was Sauser and Absalon setting the pace, with Kessiakoff getting gapped on the descents and then climbing back into contention. Naf dropped back on the third lap, unable to maintain the pace of the front runners, who covered the first three laps in a very fast 55 minutes.
Absalon decided to shake things up on the fourth lap, attacking and dropping Kessiakoff for good, and opening a 10 second lead on Sauser. Sauser fought back, but was dropped again on the climb on lap five, using superior descending skills to keep Absalon's lead to 12 seconds as the race entered the final two laps. Once again, Absalon opened a lead over the top of the climb, and once again, Sauser closed it on the descent, setting the stage for a thrilling finale, as the pair entered the final lap together.
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However, when Absalon attacked a final time, Sauser didn't have a response, falling back 35 seconds by the top, and losing 43 seconds by the finish line. Sauser, for the second year in a row finished in the silver medal spot, while Kessiakoff came in two minutes down for the bronze.
"It was a really big fight with Christoph" agreed Absalon. "It was a hard race right to the end, but this track was very good for me with both technical and physical sections. I really liked this track."
Sauser, while disappointed to miss out yet again on the world title, was still pleased with his race. "For me it was an almost perfect race, Julien was just stronger today. I made a mistake on the fifth lap, in the descent and my front wheel slid out, costing me 15 seconds. I risked everything in the descent after that to catch up."
"But that was not it. You can only go as hard as your legs will let you, and today my legs were not 100%, they did not have it when Julien went again. All race I was not too confident; I didn't have the kick in my legs. It is also a mental game, and I just did not have it the last lap. To be beaten when you are so close is the hardest."
Race Notes
- Liam Killen started the race after battling heavy cold-like symptoms all week. "On Wednesday I got sick and didn't ride until I did one practice lap yesterday. I felt pretty dizzy out there, so i started slowly and just went my own pace. I did start to get encouraged when i saw so many riders fading on the last lap, and was able to move up quite a bit."
- There was a battle going on all race between Thomas Frischknecht (Switzerland) and Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium). Frischknecht has been vocal in his disapproval of the return of Meirhaeghe to competition after a suspension for EPO, and was determined to beat the Belgian (which he did, for sixth).
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- Jeremiah Bishop gave the U.S. its strongest showing in recent years with an 8th place, the first time a US rider has made the top 10 since 1995. After a poor starting position putting him at the back of the grid, he "treated the first two laps like a short track to get up there. It was important to get to the front as quickly as possible. once I got up to Frischy, I tried to do what i could to help him beat Meirhaeghe."
- Absalon joins the exclusive three-peat winners climb, along with Alison Sydor (94-96), Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (2004-2006), and the first rider to win three consecutive, Henk Djernis (1992-1994). He commented on what it took to win three in a row. "It is very hard to be at the top. it is always hard to win a world title, but harder the second time, and even harder the third time, I think."
- Kessiakoff had a scare on the sixth lap, when he lost pressure in both tires. "With a lap and a half to go, I lost half the pressure in my tires. On a drop I landed hard and heard a 'pop'. I had to go slowly to the tech zone for nearly half a lap and lost a lot of time."
He also commented on winning Sweden's first elite cross-country medal: "It is good. I finally feel that my form is developing to be at the front all race. last year i was fourth, so this is a natural progression. I was one of the strongest on the climb today, I think, but I lost a lot of time on the downhills."
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Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Mikkeli Godfree/Cyclingnews.com
- The men in the blocks.
- Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden) was at the front from the first climb.
- Christoph Sauser (Swizterland) leads evental winner Julien Absalon (France) on the first climb.
- Kashi Leuchs did the home nation proud to take 16th.
- Chris Jongewaard (Australia) was up the front early but faded.
- Martino Fruet (Italy) also started hard.
- Taberlay was the best placed Aussie by race-end.
- Delacour climbing without a front tyre.
- Matthieu Tolouse (Canada) working through the rock garden.
- Leuchs tripoding down the rock garden.
- Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium) is well and truly back in the game after serving a doping ban.
- Liam Killeen took tenth place to be best Brit.
- Taberlay looking awkward.
- Brent Miller (Australia) at the end of the rock garden.
- Murray Spink (Australia) getting loose.
- Christophe Sauser (Switzerland) on the hunt.
- Ralf Naf made it two Swiss in the top four.
- An awesome ride by Leonardo Paez Leon saw the Colombian take out fifth.
- Seasoned pro Bart Brentjens took 11th for Holland.
- Jongewaard looking strong but slipping back through the field.
- Kessiakoff with one lap to go smiling - is that a smile?
- Paez Leon holding down fifth.
- Spanish rider Marti Gispert Labarta came through 15th in the end.
- Consistent performer Roel Paulissen took home a solid 12th for Belgium
- Former world champion Dario Acquaroli (Italy) had fun on his way to 29th.
- Geoff Kabush won the Oceania title race here earlier this year but was well off the pace today.
- Julien Absalon with 800 metres to race taking no chances - doing the number 1 plate proud.
- Sauser conceded defeat in the second half of the last lap.
- Absalon is congratulated after his win.
- Jongewaard said as soon as he finished “I don’t want to play anymore”
- Taberlay after the finish with Jongewaard.
- Jongewaard getting re-hydrated.
- American juniors keeping it real.
- Guess who’s happy to see Absalon take a third world title?
- Kessiakoff furrowing the brow as Absalon’s French flag flies above the Swiss and Swedish.
- Yep, I’m the man - Absalon.
- The three medal getters.
- …and again.
Images by Paul Bryant
- Sid Taberlay (Australia) nearing the top of the climb
- Perren Delacour (Australia) had a shocker of a first climb, losing his front tyre
Images by Robert Kilvington
- Julien Absalon (France)
- Kashi Leuchs (New Zealand)
- Jean Christophe Peraud (France) leads Florian Vogel (Switzerland)
- Christophe Sauser (Switzerland)
- Seamus McGrath (Canada)
- Sid Taberlay (Australia)
- Julien Absalon (France) climbs
- Bart Brentjens (Netherlands)
- Christophe Sauser (Switzerland)
- Chris Jongewaard (Australia)
- Chris Jongewaard (Australia)
- Hector Paez Leon (Colombia)
- Jeremiah Bishop (USA)
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Oliver Beckingsale (Great Britain) rode well (top 5) for the first 5 laps.
- Julien Absalon (France) salutes the crowd.
- The podium : Christoph Sauser, Julien Absalon, Fredrik Kessiakoff.
- The podium : Christoph Sauser, Julien Absalon, Fredrik Kessiakoff.
- Julien Absalon (France) charging on the climb.
- The men's field strung out along the track.
- Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) chases.
- Absalon and Sauser climb.
- Sauser and Absalon chasing Kessiakoff and Naf.
- Roel Paulissen (Belgium) and Florian Vogel (Switzerland).
- Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden).
- Hector Leonardo Paez Leon (Colombia) had a great ride to finish fifth..
- Kessiakoff chasing.
- Jeremiah Bishop (USA) would be the first American to break the top 10 since 1995!.
- Bart Brentjens (Netherlands).
- Jeremiah Bishop (USA) leads Thomas Frischknecht (Switzerland) and Peter Riis Andersen (Denmark).
- Jean Christophe Peraud (France).
- Liam Killeen (Great Britain) and Ryan Trebon (USA).
- Ryan Trebon (USA).
- Oliver Beckingsale (Great Britain) rode well (top 5) for the first 5 laps.
- Johann Pallhuber (Italy).
- Jader Zoli (Italy).
- Marti Gispert Labarta (Spain).
- Adam Craig (USA).
- Kashi Leuchs (New Zealand).
- Christoph Sauser (Switzerland).
- Seamus McGrath (Canada) , Todd Wells (USA), Barry Wicks (USA).
- Todd Wells and Barry Wicks (USA).
- Julien Absalon (France)
- Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden).
- Oliver Beckingsale (Great Britain).
- Ralph Näf (Switzerland).
- Jeremiah Bishop (USA).
- Jeremiah Bishop (USA).
- Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium) and Thomas Frischknecht (Switzerland).
- Thomas Frischknecht (Switzerland).
- Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium).
- Carlos Coloma Nicolas (Spain).
- Marti Gispert Labarta (Spain).
- Roel Paulissen (Belgium).
- Moritz Milatz (Germany).
- Bas Peters (Netherlands).
- Karl Platt (Germany).
- Liam Killeen (Great Britain).
- Alban Lakata (Austria).
- Liam Killeen (Great Britain).
- Barry Wicks (USA) and Seamus McGrath (Canada).
- Ricky Federau (Canada).
- Geoff Kabush (Canada).
- Barry Wicks (USA).
- Michael Broderick (USA).
- Adam Craig (USA).
- Mathieu Toulouse (Canada).
- Seamus Mcgrath.
- Ricky Federau (Canada).
- Michael Broderick (USA).
- Christoph Sauser (Switzerland).
- Ralph Näf (Switzerland).
- Oliver Beckingsale (Great Britain).
- Florian Vogel (Switzerland) and Jean Christophe Peraud (France).
- Justice Makhale (Republic of South Africa).
- Julien Absalon.
- Christoph Sauser.
- Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden).
- Oliver Beckingsale (Great Britain).
- Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium).
- Bart Brentjens (Netherlands).
- Marti Gispert Labarta (Spain).
- Kashi Leuchs (New Zealand).
- Liam Killeen (Great Britain).
- Adam Craig (USA).
- Absalon and Sauser battled until the final lap.
- Geoff Kabush (Canada).
- Julien Absalon (France) claims his win!.
Results, 41.30 kms
1 Julien Absalon (France) 2.09.08 (19.19 km/h) 2 Christoph Sauser (Switzerland) 0.43 3 Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sweden) 1.58 4 Ralph Näf (Switzerland) 4.22 5 Hector Leonardo Paez Leon (Colombia) 4.51 6 Thomas Frischknecht (Switzerland) 5.19 7 Filip Meirhaeghe (Belgium) 5.54 8 Jeremiah Bishop (United States Of America) 6.21 9 Jean Christophe Peraud (France) 7.02 10 Liam Killeen (Great Britain) 7.13 11 Bart Brentjens (Netherlands) 7.39 12 Roel Paulissen (Belgium) 7.49 13 Jader Zoli (Italy) 8.07 14 Johann Pallhuber (Italy) 8.44 15 Marti Gispert Labarta (Spain) 8.56 16 Kashi Leuchs (New Zealand) 9.10 17 Adam Craig (United States Of America) 9.16 18 Cédric Ravanel (France) 9.47 19 Jochen Kaess (Germany) 9.57 20 Florian Vogel (Switzerland) 10.04 21 Karl Platt (Germany) 10.14 22 Alban Lakata (Austria) 10.17 23 Martino Fruet (Italy) 10.59 24 Ludovic Dubau (France) 11.39 25 Seamus Mcgrath (Canada) 12.01 26 Bas Peters (Netherlands) 12.18 27 Oliver Beckingsale (Great Britain) 12.21 28 Peter Riis Andersen (Denmark) 12.42 29 Dario Acquaroli (Italy) 12.53 30 Christoph Soukup (Austria) 13.23 31 Sid Taberlay (Australia) 13.42 32 Filip Eberl (Czech Republic) 14.03 33 Carlos Coloma Nicolas (Spain) 14.31 34 Andreas Kugler (Switzerland) 14.47 35 Ricky Federau (Canada) 15.00 36 Geoff Kabush (Canada) 15.23 37 Chris Jongewaard (Australia) 15.36 38 Manuel Fumic (Germany) 15.46 39 Michael Weiss (Austria) 16.06 40 Mirko Pirazzoli (Italy) 17.16 One lap behind 41 Martin Gujan (Switzerland) 42 Moritz Milatz (Germany) 43 Maxim Gogolev (Russian Federation) 44 Martin Kraler (Austria) 45 Murray Spink (Australia) 46 Balz Weber (Switzerland) 47 Barry Wicks (United States Of America) 48 Mathieu Toulouse (Canada) 49 Milan Spesny (Czech Republic) Two laps behind 50 Ricardo Pscheidt (Brazil) 51 Caspar Austa (Estonia) 52 Jelmer Pietersma (Netherlands) 53 Ovidiu Tudor Oprea (Romania) 54 Eric Drower (New Zealand) 55 Kenji Takeya (Japan) 56 Brent Miller (Australia) 57 Perren Delacour (Australia) 58 Ivan Seledkov (Russian Federation) 59 Gonzalo Aravena (Chile) 60 Stuart Houltham (New Zealand) 61 Michael Broderick (United States Of America) 62 Edivando Cruz (Brazil) Three laps behind 63 Michael Northcott (New Zealand) 64 Cristobal Silva (Chile) 65 Todd Wells (United States Of America) 66 Shingo Shiraishi (Japan) 67 Javier Puschel (Chile) 68 Helmet Tamkorv (Estonia) 69 Wayne Hiscock (New Zealand) 70 Tim Wilding (New Zealand) Four laps behind 71 Mark Leishman (New Zealand) 72 Justice Makhale (Republic of South Africa) 73 Takahiro Ogasawara (Japan) DNF Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (United States Of America) DNF Marek Galinski (Poland) DNF Ryan Trebon (United States Of America) DNF Marcin Karczynski (Poland) DNF Aaron Barry Tuckerman (New Zealand) DNS Thiago Aroeira (Brazil)
