Competitions
Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Lenzerheide promises spectacular action and tight decisions
We might still be far away from any final decisions, but certain favorites have emerged already.
Live finals schedule on Red Bull TV:
Cross-Country Short Track (XCC)
The Women’s and Men’s Elite final will be broadcasted on Friday, 8 July, at 17:35 (CEST)
Downhill (DHI)
The Women’s Elite final will be broadcasted on Saturday, 9 July, at 12:25 (CEST)
The Men’s Elite final will be broadcasted on Saturday, 9 July, at 13:45 (CEST)
Cross-Country Olympic (XCO)
The Women’s Elite final will be broadcasted on Sunday, 10 July, at 10:45 (CEST)
The Men’s Elite final will be broadcasted on Sunday, 10 July, at 13:00 (CEST)
XCO/XCC: Duel on home soil?
When Nino Schurter and Mathias Flueckiger battled it out at the latest World Cup in Saalfelden Leogang, they might have already given us a preview on what to expect in Lenzerheide. Both Swiss riders will give their everything to win their home World Cup. Whereas Nino is still thriving to become the sole record holder for the most single World Cup wins – what better place to achieve this than his home spot – Mathias has never won the Lenzerheide World Cup, despite several excellent races and appearances on the podium. Next to the local heroes the likes of Vlad Dascalu (ROM), currently second in the overall World Cup standings, or Alan Hatherly (RSA) are aiming for their first World Cup wins.
XCO/XCC: Lecomte or McConnell?
After an incredible start into the season with three wins in three races Australian Overall World Cup leader Rebecca McConnell had to give way to Loana Lecomte, French Champion and defending Overall World Cup winner, for the first time in Saalfelden Leogang. The French powerhouse crushed it last season and now seems close to her peak performance again. But for Lenzerheide former Olympic Champion Jenny Rissveds, Austrian young-guns Laura Stigger and Mona Mitterwallner, current Olympic Champion Jolanda Neff, as well as Dutch veteran Anne Terpstra are also podium contenders. With the possible return of XCO World Champion and defending Lenzerheide winner Evie Richards (GBR) things could become even more interesting.
Kicking the event off on Friday evening will be the XCC sprint discipline. Like in Cross-Country Olympic, Rebecca McConnell is currently leading the overall World Cup standings ahead of Alessandra Keller (SUI) and Loana Lecomte. In the men's category, Luca Schwarzbauer (GER) leads with just three points ahead of Mathias Flueckiger. Last year in Lenzerheide the Swiss only had to admit defeat to Henrique Avancini (BRA), who currently ranks third in the overall.
DHI: Balanche, Pierron or someone else?
Looking at the Downhill elite competitions, Camille Balanche (SUI) and Amaury Pierron (FRA) are the ones to beat. So far only Nina Hoffmann (GER) and Matt Walker (GBR) were able to steal a World Cup win from the respective overall World Cup leaders. Nevertheless, both competitions are far from being settled. World Champion Myriam Nicole (FRA) and defending overall World Cup winner Valentina Hoell (AUT) are close on Balanche’s heels and cannot wait to write their names in the 2022 winner’s list. The same goes for Danny Hart (GBR), Benoit Coulanges (FRA) and Laurie Greenland (GBR) as well as returning overall World Cup winner Loic Bruni (FRA), who all are ready to push Pierron off the top spot.
“Lenzerheide is a track that I love. It is very intense. It's a track where you must be able to target all the key points to make the difference. There is a great public and I love being in Switzerland. It's a good sign. I'm very happy to be back there. Also, I've been able to do a good physical training session and gain confidence technically, by doing several races like in Andorra.” – Myriam Nicole
Watch the entire 2022 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season live and for free on Red Bull TV and follow us on facebook.com/RedBullBike and youtube.com/RedBullBike for more action.
Current Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup overall standings:
XCO Elite Women Top 5:
- Rebecca McConnell | AUS | 1093
- Loana Lecomte | FRA | 916
- Anne Terpstra | NED | 713
- Laura Stigger | AUT | 698
- Jenny Rissveds | SWE | 695
XCO Elite Men Top 5:
- Nino Schurter | SUI | 964
- Vlad Dascalu | ROM | 775
- Mathias Flueckiger | SUI | 711
- Alan Hatherly | RSA | 692
- Thomas Pidcock | GBR | 600
XCC Elite Women Top 5:
- Rebecca Mcconnell | AUS | 740
- Alessandra Keller | SUI | 540
- Loana Lecomte | FRA | 530
- Anne Terpstra | NED | 504
- Jolanda Neff | SUI | 475
XCO Elite Men Top 5:
- Luca Schwarzbauer | GER | 541
- Mathias Flueckiger | SUI | 538
- Henrique Avancini | BRA | 535
- Alan Hatherly | RSA | 512
- Nino Schurter | SUI | 490
DHI Elite Women Top 5:
- Camille Balanche | SUI | 685
- Myriam Nicole | FRA | 555
- Valentina Hoell | AUT | 460
- Eleonora Farina | ITA | 395
- Nina Hoffmann | GER | 368
DHI Elite Men Top 5:
- Amaury Pierron | FRA | 580
- Matt Walker | GBR | 443
- Danny Hart | GBR | 401
- Benoit Coulanges | FRA | 380
- Laurie Greenland | GBR | 354