<b>Having already had its racing debut last round in Nove Mestro under Jose Antonio Hermida, this weekend the Multivan Merida Biking Team officially launched their new bike for the 2015 season, the Merida Ninety-Six. Thomas Litscher checks in on his mechanic as the new bike is built.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>(the audio is long, but a great story!) Davide, Marco Fontana’s friend and Cannonade Factory Team superfan, travelled all the way from Italy to Albstadt on this little moped, a 600 km adventure. <br />
Marco in the audio. </b> -Andreas Dobslaff
Marco in the audio. </b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Style is always a big factor in the Cannondale pits. This weekend, they introduced the team’s new colours with matching flower decorations to boot.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>New bikes were all around the pits in Albstadt. At the Ghost Factory Racing tent, the new Lector was on display in a cage referencing Hannibal Lector from Silence of the Lambs. #helloclarice</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>The newest addition to the Scott-Odlo team tent. Nino spent his Nove Mesto prize money on a shiny new coffee machine, gotta keep the #racefuel flowing. Team Mechanic in the audio.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>With the new schedule, the weekend kicked off with the U23 Women on Saturday afternoon. </b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>It was Scott-Odlo rider Jenny Rissveds who took the number 1 spot in Women U23, a great start for her this season with two out of two WC wins. </b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>With less than two minutes to the start of the Elite Women’s race, the top 8 line up in front of the pack.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>It almost looked like Jolanda Neff was riding alone. Already 26-seconds ahead by the first split, she quickly built a one minute lead to ensure her victory with a time of 1:36.06.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>The Elite Women’s winner on her way to victory.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Jolanda’s tactics worked 100%. Making sure she was always first to the decent, she attacked early on and never had a problem. With great confidence and the World Cup leader’s jersey, she’ll have the home-field advantage at next month’s World Cup in Switzerland.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>For the second World Cup in a row, the leader’s jersey was waiting for Jolanda at the awards ceremony.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Another trophy in the bag.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>#victory</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>After the race, eager fans gathered around the Shimano pits to get Jolanda’s autograph.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Nino Schurter and Julien Absalon: Fair-play between the two before the start of the Elite Men's race.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Here we go! 8-laps plus the starting-loop on the 4,2km course. </b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Nino Schurter being cheered on by fans on the tightly taped track.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Early in the race the grouping was still tight: Here Jaroslav Kulhavy tries to reel-in Julien Absalon. </b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>15,000 spectators came out to see the action here in Albstadt and they were not disappointed.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Jaroslav Kulhavy, winner of Nove Mesto, turned on the gas half-way though the race pedaling himself into a solid third place finish.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>This race was all about Julien and Nino. On a course that had two long climbs and not many technical sections, it was attack after attack between the two the entire time. </b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Hay, give me some water! One of the few technical sections of the track.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>The pace was high up front as the fight between Nino and Julien continued.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>In the end it was Julien Absalon in the number 1 spot, which makes this his 30th World Cup victory on record. </b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Victory and disappointment: so close to each other.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>After a crash in the final descent, Nino will have to settle for another 2nd place finish.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Luckily, the crash only resulted in some minor scratches for Nino.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>The moment before the awards ceremony.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Elite Men’s Podium: 1 - Julien Absalon, 2 - Nino Schurter, 3 - Jaroslav Kulhavy, 4 - Florian Vogel, 5 - Mathias Fluckiger</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>Jaroslav rewarded his fans with his prize beer.</b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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<b>With the conclusion of an exciting battle between Julien and Nino, it was Julien who ended up on the top-step. Nino, with a dramatic last-corner crash dashing his hopes for victory, will be hungry for the win at round 3 of the World Cup next month in Switzerland. </b> -Andreas Dobslaff
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It's never over 'til it's over. Big-time battles and last-minute mistakes made for some dramatic racing in Germany. The 2015 UCI World Cup XCO season continues with the 2nd round in Albstadt, Germany, and Andreas Dobslaff delivers the chronological sights and sounds of the weekend to your screen.
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