Larsson and Ludvik take convincing wins in Long race

Elvira Larsson, Sweden and Vojtech Ludvik, Czechia both rode strongly today to win hard races by almost 3 minutes. This was Ludvik’s second victory in two days – and for Larsson, the best of three days with top-three results.

This string of three results – one place better on each successive day – is by far the best achieved by the 29-year-old Swedish rider. The first third of today’s race was not all she wanted it to be; after 40 minutes she was sixth, 2.07 down on then race leader Cæcilie Christoffersen, Denmark. But by the 63-minute point she was in the lead by 2 minutes, and she steadily built on that lead from then on, finishing 2.53 in front.

Second today – and U-23 World Champion in Long – was the Italian Iris Aurora Pecorari, who lost 3 minutes in the middle section of the race but otherwise rode well. Celine Wellenreiter, Switzerland took third place; she was fifth for the first hour and then pulled up 30 seconds into third, 3.48 down on the winner.

As in the Middle race, the men’s Long was dominated by Ludvik, who again led throughout. Swiss athlete Noah Rieder, 25, rode to his best World Cup result to date in taking second place, 2.52 down; he was second-fastest throughout. Hannes Hnilica, Austria was third, and takes the U-23 World Champion title today. He was fifth at the first split time point, and gained steadily after that.

Victory again for Vojtech Ludvik CZE

So ends an exciting three days of competition in very varied terrain in Hungary. In all three competitions, no nation has dominated in the results. Today, the top 6 men were from 6 different nations, and in the women’s top six, 4 nations were represented.

Round 2 of the CX80 World Cup will be held in the period 24-28 May in Portugal. Round 3 is incorporated into the MTBO World Championships, this year in Sweden, 26-30 August; the Junior World MTBO Championships will be held here too.

Leading results, CX80 MTBO World Cup Long race

Women, 23.3 km

1. Elvira Larsson SWE 1:43:52
2. Iris Aurora Pecorari ITA 1:46:45
3. Celine Wellenreiter SUI 1:47:40
4. Nikoline Splittorff DEN 1:48:12
5. Cæcilie Christoffersen DEN 1:48:43
6. Gabriella Gustafsson SWE 1:49:02

Men, 30.9 km

1. Vojtech Ludvik CZE 1:48:42
2. Noah Rieder SUI 1:51:34
3. Hannes Hnilica AUT 1:52:13
4. Armel Berthaud FRA 1:54:35
5. Tomi Nykanen FIN 1:55:26
6. Fabiano Bettega ITA 1:55:30