Madrid is unusually wet. Rob Jones Photo
Madrid hosts one of the most unique World Cups, providing the best level of competition in the middle of major cities. The event is held in Casa de Campo Park, 1800 hectacres. Tens of thousands of spectators can easily reach the venue by subway.
Ralph Nf is injured during training. Rob Jones Photo
Although the seven-kilometre course doesn’t have the steep climbs of more mountainous locations, it is not difficult. This circuit is full of short, sharp climbs, and hardpacked straightaways. This circuit becomes a race against time, with the usual high temperatures, dust, and blazing sun.
This year, however, may be the first ever dry World Cup in Madrid. Rain fell on Friday night and continued to fall throughout Saturday’s training, with temperatures exceeding ten degrees Celsius. Although the hardpacked dirt is unlikely to become mud bogs in the future, it is making downhill sections slippery and slowing the once fast singletrack.
Georgia Gould (Luna) commented that it was quite surprising how much more effort it takes. It can drag you back.
Check out the Specialized duo Burry Stander & Christophe Sauser
Rob Jones Photo
Christoph Sauser (Specialized), the world champion, agreed that the ground does not become very soft but pulls on the tires making it even more difficult. Burry and me found that the steepest climb was not rideable on the first lap. However, it was dry enough by the end to allow us to ride it.
It is expected to be cooler with rain possible on race day. The women will do either 4.5 to 5 laps while the men will do seven laps.
Madrid will host the final cross-country event of the spring campaign. This is the last chance for riders to compete at the highest level for two months. The competition will be fierce. The clear favourite for the men is World Cup Julien Absalon, Orbea, who has two consecutive victories and is the current champion in Madrid.
Sam Schultz was close to destroying the slick trail. Rob Jones Photos
He can still be beat, as Wolfram Kurschat (Topeak Ergon), number two in the rankings, proved last week at a German national series. Kurschat doesn’t like the course (he prefers longer climbs), but he is still a contender for the podium. Round one winner Jose Hermida, Multivan Merida, has declared that he hopes to win here in front his home crowd. The Team Specialized duo Burry Stander/World Champion Christoph Sauser cannot be ignored. This is despite the fact that Sauser has yet to win in World Cup action this season.
Elisabeth Osl has only 70 points to go behind Fullana in standings. Rob Jones Photograph
Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Multivan Merida), the defending champion on the women’s side, is absent after having a baby this spring. However, this does not mean that the competition will be less intense. Marga Fullana (Massi), World Champion and World Cup Leader, stated in round one in South Africa that she was aiming to reach her peak form for Madrid. After winning the World Cup in Houffalize (Belgium), she showed that she is on her way.
Canada’s Catharine Pendrel, (Luna) will be looking to win the second World Cup. She finished second to Fullana at round three and is now in top form. Pendrel could be more at home in the rain and mud than Fullana. There are also Irina Kalentieva, round one winner Elisabeth Osl of Central Ghost Team, 2008 World Cup champion Marie-Helene Premont from Maxxis-Rocky Mountain and Chinas Ren Chengyuan. One of these riders could be the winner.
Hermida wants to be successful on home soil. Rob Jones Photo
Absalon has a strong 160-point lead over Kurschat in the World Cup rankings. It is therefore unlikely that we will see any changes in the men’s jersey holder. Fullana is only 70 points behind Osl in the women’s race.
