<b>Swedish National Team - The week began with hot temperatures and lovely sunshine for the Team Relay.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
10
<b>Eva Lechner of the Italian Team getting ready for the exchange in the Team Relay.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
9
<b>Some last minute changes just seconds before the exchange on Giole Bertolini's bike.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
9
<b>Many broken chains this weekend. Olympic Champion Jaroslav Kulhavy snapped his chain on the first few meters after the exchange in the Team Relay and the race was over for the Czech Team.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
12
<b>Gerhard Kerschbaumer storming for the win for the Italians in the Team Relay category. It is already their third medal in that discipline.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
10
<b>Pure Domination for Lukas Baum this year with winning National, European and World Champs. Look out for him next season in the u23 category.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
11
<b>Andrea Waldis getting her power on the turbo trainer. An electrified rank 5 in her first u23 season.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
10
<b>Tanja Zakelj lost the lead after a big crash in the Corkscrew but championed on. Check the dirt in the helmet.</b> -Sven Martin
10
10
<b>Although Jolanda Neff is still a u23 rider in her second year, she decided to race this World Cup season in the Elite field to gain experience. At Worlds she had to race in her category and won by over two-minutes. The future has already started for her.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
13
<b>The weather forecast for the U23 Men's race did not look great. It started sunny and ended in cold rain with the track gettin more difficult. Like Jolanda, Gerhard Kerschbaumer also raced all year in the Elite field and came back to his category this weekend. Two gold medals for him at Pietermaritzburg.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
14
<b>Markus Schulte Lünzum, the current leader in the u23 World Cup was disappointed in his finish. With big expectations and being in the top 3 the first two laps, he hit a rock in the treehouse section and got a puncture. After a long stop in the techzone the reach for a medal was gone.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
13
<b>For the first laps, the Women's race was lead by a group of six. After Lechner crashed in Sharkas Playground at the end of lap two,.Zakelj took the lead but crashed while pushing too hard in the Corkscrew. Bresset and Wloszczowska took the chance and stomped to the front for a battle in the last 3 laps.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
13
<b>Julie Bresset closing a small gap to Maja Wloszczowska just after some rehydration in the feedzone.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
10
<b>Julie Bresset back on the top spot. The current Olympic Champion broke her collarbone at the beginning of the season and was back in form for the Women's Elite XCO race.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
12
<b>Respect at the finish. Gold and Silver arm-in-arm.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
8
<b>The Elite Men's field starting to find out who will be this year's World Champion. 7 long laps to go...</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
11
<b>Nino Schurter leading the start. Having won in Pietermaritzburg the last two years, on an important race day Nino rarely falls through on expectations.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
10
<b>She held the lead for most of the race, Maja Wloszczowska of the Giant Pro XC in the rocks.</b> -Sven Martin
10
10
<b>José Antonio Hermida back on the podium. Even at the age of 35, you can never count the Catalan out on a big day like Worlds. He is a class of his own.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
11
<b>One of the oldest riders in the field, but Jose Hermida loves the African heat. Bronze medal. Ja Ja Ja</b> -Sven Martin
10
11
<b>The climb in Cascades Forest Park.</b> -Sven Martin
10
8
<b>Hot and dry conditions for the XCO Elite Women. Lisi Osl clearing the airways. </b> -Sven Martin
10
9
<b>Again, José Antonio Hermida taking the inside line at Sharkas Playground, where many crashes were had this week.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
10
<b> Kuhlhavy through the steps.</b> -Sven Martin
10
8
<b>Bresset taking gold...</b> -Sven Martin
10
8
<b>Nino by Parkin. #bestXCassistantever</b> -John Parkin
10
9
<b>Todd Wells didn't bring home gold, but he sure rode through it.</b> -John Parkin
10
9
<b>More XC gnarliness not found on the DH track.</b> -Sven Martin
10
9
<b>Nino Schurter drifting into the amphitheatre in front of Fumic and Hermida. Constantly having a gap of 20-seconds throughout the race, but still having some power in the bag if the followers closed.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
12
<b>The XC course was super tech. The dry, loose and fast conditions didn't make it any easier for the riders. Even long legged Kuhlhavy tasted the dirt.</b> -Sven Martin
10
11
<b>Nino led from start to finish. </b> -Sven Martin
10
9
<b>They call him "Rock Garden King" and thats 100% true. Nino's speed through that section is unbelievable.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
11
<b>Manuel Fumic another rider that was injured early this year, back in form. He already had a good feeling and for the first time in his career told his team manager before the race to pack the podium bag. His feeling was right. Silver medal for him.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
14
<b>Here you have your new and old Cross Country World Champion. At the age 27, it is his 3rd gold medal in the Elite category.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
11
<b>Treehouse section. More tech than anything on the DH track. </b> -Sven Martin
10
9
<b>Bad luck for Julien Absalon this weekend. On Tuesday he crashed in training and broke a rib. Friday's training was not better either. Another crash, another broken rib. At the end it was still 6th place after fighting through the pain.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
13
<b>A blur of a race for Nino.</b> -Sven Martin
10
8
<b>And African Gold for Nino.</b> -Sven Martin
10
8
<b>Nathalie Schneitter warming up for the Cross Country Eliminator race.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
10
<b>Turbo Trainers where humming loud during the warm up for the Eliminator race.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
10
<b>Cross Country racer, Florian Vogel, did not qualify for the finals at the Eliminator adding to a sub-par season.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
11
<b>Celebrating until 4:30am in the morning and being back at the startline at 9:51am. A true champion, getting some last minute massage.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
11
<b>After celebrating until 4:30am Nino's mechanic had a little surprise for him on Sunday morning at the start of the Cross Country Eliminator race.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
12
<b>Simon Gegenheimer looked fast through the first heat. Having too much power at the start of the 1/4 final causedrear wheel slip and his chances were gone.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
11
<b>Big Aussie, Paul Van der Ploeg, eyes the start lanes of the XCE final that he took gold in.</b> -Sven Martin
10
9
<b>Another early season injury rider on the top spot of the podium. Aussie rider Paul Van Der Ploeg dominated the Cross Country Eliminator on Sunday morning. During the semi final he found another line into the first corner cutting it inside.<br />
His new line gave him the lead into his final run. At the finish line, he still had enough time to get back to here to show the rest of the riders his strength.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
His new line gave him the lead into his final run. At the finish line, he still had enough time to get back to here to show the rest of the riders his strength.</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
17
<b>Paul Van der Ploeg at the end of the hard XCE sprint.</b> -Sven Martin
10
9
<b>Back in top form when it counted after a collar bone break earlier in the season. </b> -Sven Martin
10
9
<b>Golden light in the afternoons here in winter time, South Africa style.</b> -Sven Martin
10
9
<b>Jaro Kuhlhavy couldn't find the pace that brought him Olympic gold.</b> -Sven Martin
10
9
<b>Riding out front alone most of the race Nino never lost focus.</b> -Sven Martin
10
9
<b>Victory...</b> -Marius Maasewerd
10
12
<b>Hamba Gahle.</b> -Sven Martin
10
20
Intro Graphic
More features:
PLACEHOLDER for related Slideshows view
Description
Just because we don't feature much true XC content on Vital, doesn't mean we're not fans of the sport! World Champs in South Africa provided many epic battles among the super-fit in XCO, XCE and the Team Relay. Enjoy the incredlble imagery that captures the pain and the joy of all things XC from Pietermaritzburg by Marius Maasewerd, Sven Martin and John Parkin.
Related:
View replies to: Epic with a Chance of Lycra - 54 Photos from World Champs XC
Comments