While riders and fans alike are still reeling from last weekend’s Lenzerheide World Cup – Commencal’s matching wins, Canada’s four podiums and the “Swiss Incident” – the season keeps right on rolling. This weekend the series heads up to the high-elevation slopes of Vallnord Andorra.
Downhill: Iles versus Pierron at home
It will be a homecoming party of sorts for the Commencal/Muc-Off team. Not only are Commencal’s headquarters located right at the finish line, but two of its riders, Myriam Nicole and Amaury Pierron, both won the elite downhill race in Lenzerheide. The win was Pierron’s third this year alone. Even after year’s of dominance, Lenzerheide was the first time the team has taken the top spot in both elite downhill races. Both riders will be looking to repeat that result for their sponsor’s home race.
Finn Iles rolls in as one rider that could upset that dream for the Commencal team. The Canadian national champion was second behind Pierron in Lenzerheide. It’s the second time Iles, who is chasing his first elite World Cup win, has missed a win behind Pierron this year. Iles has more than motivation on his side, though. He showed up in Lenzerheide with a mysterious prototype Specialized Demo, shrouded in secrecy – and a fabric sleeve. Ile’s only had a few rides on that bike before finishing second on Sunday in Switzerland. Who knows what he can do with more time on the new bike.
Iles isn’tthe only Canadian hunting for a win in Andorra, either. Juniors Gracey Hemstreet and Jackson Goldstone are powering their way through the season with incredible success. Hemstreet has three wins in four races. Goldstone has two wins and two silvers. Both were on the top step in Lenzerheide and roll into Vallnord with momentum, as well as the World Cup leader’s jerseys.
Cross country chaos
Lenzerheide was the home race for the powerhouse Swiss cross country team. In the men’s race, fans were vocally supporting Nino Schurter, who lives just minutes from the start line, in his quest to best Julien Absalon’s career World Cup win’s tally. Mathias Flueckiger, also Swiss and intent on winning at home, was right beside Schurter all race. The dramatic finale boiled over a couple hundred…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…