(google translate)Victory for Nino Schurter, first from start to finish. Second place for Manuel Fumic and third place for Jose Hermida.
7 laps for the Elite race with Nino Schurter which imparts the 1st lap a high pace in the race with all the favorites of the race just behind. It is surprising that the Brazilian Enrique Avancini in the 1st round is in the group of the first author while a bad start is Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czechoslovakia) which remains trooped into the group around the 20th position. In the first group also Emil Lindgren (Sweden) which we have become accustomed often to great starts.
Meanwhile Fluckiger Lukas (Switzerland) retires to a fall. The group begins to select and remain in front Schurter, Giger, Hermida, Fumic and fountain with Lindgren leaking slightly touch while Julien Absalon (France) belongs to a group of followers in the first few seconds. The stretch of the Rocky Garden is insidious for men and Fumic Manuel commits a mistake losing valuable positions. Even Fontana, the only one able to keep Schurter downhill, commits a mistake (and ruin the seatpost) being taken by the pursuers. After the Olympics seems to have resurfaced the same problem but expect confirmation.
At the end of the first lap then Schurter Nino (Switzerland) is just in front of the race (phenomenal in the technical sections downhill) with 10 "ahead of the rest of the group stretched. The only big not to be present in the first positions is Kulhavy which is around the 20th place. noteworthy is the excellent start of Konwa Marek (Poland) that goes with the number 31 in the early 10.
Marco Fontana during the 2nd round slows down to a technical fault and out of contention for the win. The passage of the 2nd lap Schurter passes with 7" ahead of the pair Hermida Ramos Josè Antonio (Spain) and Giger Fabian (Switzerland), while a 16" pass Manuel Fumic and Marotte Maxime (France). Then gradually all the others with Ondrej Cink, Julien Absalon, a fantastic Miguel Martinez, Florian Vogel and Moritz Milatz. Kulhavy moved into 11th position but does not appear in a super day though certainly the South African circuit is not his preferred track, too technical and nervous with short climbs. Even Tempier Stephane (France) does not seem to have a very good day passing in 15th position with Avancini.
In front of Nino Schurter guide for perfection never anything wrong while behind the pursuers of up to 5" from the Swiss Fabian Giger but falls in the stretch Rocky Garden by Manuel Fumic slow down and earning the land to Jose Hermida that appear to fall on the Swiss while his pursuers lose soil and transiting to about 30". Absalon does not appear in the day and always keeps you in the chase group in 8th place at 48" from Schurter.
During the 3rd and 4th lap, the situation is stabilized with Nino Schurter which seems to be able to maintain control of Hermida and Fumic which are spaced 20" but fail to close the gap. With 40" from Schurter we find Maxime Marotte while only 1' we find the group of pursuers with Cink Ondrej (Czechoslovakia), Julien Absalon, Fabian Giger, Milatz Moritz (Germany) and Florian Vogel (Switzerland).
In the last 2 laps the situation remains unchanged except for the great comeback of Jaroslav Kulhavy that reaches the tracker group formed by Absalon, Cink and Milatz and ripping them off the best lap times. Schurter deservedly went on to win even if a curve is the author harmless in a slip but it is so quick to rise to the bike that does not lose any second. After a race in the lead from start to finish, showing a driving technique superfine, deservedly won. Behind him a very good Fumic that Manuel Jose Hermida off a few seconds on the last lap. Fourth is Maxime Marotte, which led throughout the stroke in solitary between the 2 groups trackers. 5th place for Jaroslav Kulhavy, author of the last 3 rounds really fast.
Results, ELITE MEN:
1. Nino Schurter (Switzerland) 1h40'17"
2. Manuel Fumic (Germany) +7"
3. Josè Hermida (Spain) +21"
4. Maxime Marotte (France) +53"
5. Jaroslav Kulhavy (Czech Republic) +1'17"
6. Julien Absalon (France) +1'31"
7. Moritz Milatz (Germany) +1'45"
8. Ondrej Cink (Czech Republic) +2'04"
9. Stephane Tempier (France) +2'19"
10. Fabian Giger (Switzeland) +2'30"
COMPLETE RESULTS
PROGRAMS:
SUNDAY 1st SEPTEMBER (Pietermaritzburg, UTC/GMT+2):
9.45 - XCE Qualifications
11.00 - XCE Finals