
Newly crowned US champion Todd Wells (Specialized).
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Sergio Mantecon Gutierrez (Trek-Lorca Taller Del Tiempo).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Jaroslav Kulhavy (Rubena-Birell-Specialized Cycling Team).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Florian Vogel (Scott-Swisspower Mtb-Racing).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Julien Absalon (Orbea) makes his way over slippery roots.
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (Subaru-Trek).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Julien Absalon (Orbea) was in the early lead group.
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Marco Aurelio Fontana (Cannondale Factory Racing).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

It was actually quicker to jump down the dropoff than take the alternate
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Photo credit © Rob Jones

Riders wait to start the men's race.
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Photo credit © Rob Jones

Julien Absalon (Orbea) over a large drop.
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Mathias Fluckiger (Trek World Racing) U23 leader.
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Florian Vogel (Scott-Swisspower Mtb-Racing) wins the men's race.
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) is making a bid for the Belgian Olympic
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Jose Hermida (Multivan Merida Biking Team).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

US Champion Todd Wells (Specialized Factory Racing).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Christoph Sauser (Specialized Factory Racing).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

US U23 Champion Stephen Ettinger.
Photo credit © Rob Jones

World Champion Nino Schurter (Scott-Swisspower Mtb-Racing).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Stephane Tempier (TX Active Bianchi).
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Men's podium: Mathias Fluckiger, Jaroslav Kulhavy, Florian Vogel, Nino
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Top team Scott-Swisspower Mtb-Racing.
Photo credit © Rob Jones

U23 podium: Martin Fanger, Mathias Fluckiger, Thomas Litscher.
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Julien Absalon (Orbea) was shattered when he came across the line.
Photo credit © Rob Jones

Jusoslav Kulhavy (Rubena-Birell) gets the hole shot.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Burry Stander (Specialized) early in the race ahead of Vogel.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Julien Absalon (Orbea) riding in fifth place early in the race.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Former world champion Christoph Sauser (Specialized) riding a big drop.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Cyclo-cross star Sven Nys riding to 16th place today.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Niels Wubben (Rabobank) rode the drops like a downhiller.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Adam Craig (Rabobank-Giant) ate the drops like candy.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Julien Absalon (Orbea) running the mud while in the lead.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Florian Vogel (Scott Swisspower) closing in on Absalon.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

The mighty Absalon was not able to shake Vogel.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Jusoslav Kulhavy (Rubena-Birell) in the second group with the world champion
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Riders come down the pavement one last time.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Adam Craig (Rabobank Giant) cruises into the finish.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Elite men speed into the steep Alps.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

S-turns greeted the riders soon after the start.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Sam Schultz (Subaru-Trek) rides a big drop.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Burry Stander (Specialized) riding in third position on lap two.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

World champion Nino Schurter (Scott Swisspower) dismounting for some mud.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Julien Absalon (Orbea) riding a rooty descent.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Florian Vogel (Scott-Swisspower) chasing the Absalon breakaway.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Jusoslav Kulhavy (Rubena-Birell) rode a fabulous race to stay in touch
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Todd Wells (Specialized) riding roots and mud while in the top ten.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Jose Antonio Hermida (Merida Multivan) could only manage tenth place today.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Adam Craig (Rabobank-Giant) continues his comeback from surgery by riding
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

The venue at Champéry is among the most beautiful of the year.
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net

Mathias Fluckiger (Trek World Team) followed by Nino Schurter with one
Photo credit © Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net




