Kate Courtney Writes History, Wins Her First Ever World Cup
21 May 2019
The 2018 World Champion dominated Albstadt earning her first ever World Cup win. The first win by an US athlete since 20 years, it’s one for the history books.
Albstadt, Germany. 23 year old American, Kate Courtney has won both the XCC short track race and the XCO Women’s Elite competition at the UCI MTB World Cup opener in Albstadt, Germany. Courtney, who just joined SCOTT-SRAM MTB Racing in January 2019, is the first American MTB athlete since Alison Dunlap 20 years ago who managed to step to the very top of an XC World Cup podium.
“This win was incredibly special for me. Last season, I finished the year with a win at World Championships and the first glimpse that it might be possible for me to ride at the front of the elite women’s field – but this weekend I really surprised myself. I have worked harder than ever this off season and have an incredible team around me putting so much energy into my development. The belief and support I have gotten both at the races and from back home means the world to me. Celebrating my first World Cup victory is a very special moment, but it also gives me great motivation for the future. I am excited to continue to learn and build my skills and fitness throughout the rest of the season. I am certainly in the perfect environment to do so on the SCOTT-Sram team!”
Kate Courtney, SCOTT-SRAM
2018 UCI Elite XC World Champion
Sunday’s main races first saw dry conditions in the early women’s competition. Kate Courtney managed to gain a lead position from the start lap. Different to the XCC race, in which Courtney only attacked in the last lap, the current World and US National Champion constantly worked on gaining a solid gap on her rivals.
Even a dramatic crash in the middle of the race couldn’t stop the young Californian: With a solid lead of 49sec, Courtney crossed the finish line ahead of Jolanda Neff and Yana Belomoina. Courtney now also leads the UCI World Cup ranking (375pts) over Neff (300pts) and Anne Tauber (200pts)
The Race Weapon: SCOTT Contessa Scale
In true German style. Prost!
Less than a week until we see if Kate can do it all over again at Nove Mesto!
The elite men’s race started like XC WC races start since so many years- 7x World Champion Nino Schurter, a 3x time Albstadt winner, put down the hammer from the first climb and managed to get away. Teammate Lars Forster was the only one who could catch up. The two Cape Epic Champions dominated the first two laps. Then a storm arrived. Pouring rain destroyed all their plans. Forster first went down in a simple turn in the tech zone and damaged his handle bar. Nino could keep the pace, however without Lars it seemed to get tougher to further distance the pack.
"As the heavy rain hit us, I lost my rhythm. I didn’t have the best legs and had to pay for going All-In in the first two laps. That’s how it goes."
Nino Schurter
SCOTT-SRAM
Olympic & 7x World Champion
Forster went down a second time, obviously fighting both technical and mental issues. His third crash finally was a rather dramatic one- the European Champ hurt his knee and couldn’t continue to race and had to be sent to the hospital. Nino Schurter in the meanwhile was caught by Matthias Flückiger (CH) and Jordan Sarrou (FRA). The Swiss was the strongest today and couldn’t even be stopped by Matthieu van der Poel (NED), who got 2nd. Nino finished in 6th, while Andri Frischknecht celebrated his best-ever World Cup result with a 9th place.
Nino Schurter: "I started according to plan and tried to distance my rivals. However as the heavy rain hit us, I lost my rhythm. I didn’t have the best legs today and had to pay for going All-In in the first two laps. That’s how it goes- well deserved win by Matthias Flückiger! With the upcoming World Cup round in Nove Mesto, I am looking forward to a technical course that suits me very well. I managed to win several time in the Czech Republic, so I’ll give it all the coming week to recover and prepare the best possible way for Nove Mesto.“
Team Manager, Thomas Frischknecht: "What an amazing start into the World Cup season. Too bad the injury of Lars Forster puts a shadow over his great weekend performance until his crash. With an outstanding Kate and Andri, we had half the team riding at their best ever. I’m sure Nino will show who’s the boss next weekend and hey, as the icing on the cake, we got the yellow number plate for the best team."
Lars Forster was released at Albstadt hospital last night. Looks like nothing broken on his injured right knee and ankle. However, further checks at the Swiss Olympic medical center will tell more about what the severe crash caused to the European Champion.
Photography: Etienne Van Rensburg / @Raineduponmedia, @egopromotion.
