Zakelj wins her first World Cup cross country in Nove Mesto

A first time World Cup winner also became a first time World Cup overall leader in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic, for round 2. Tanja Zakelj (Unior Tools) became the first-ever Slovenian rider to win a World Cup, with a strong performance in which she rode clear of some of the top women in the world.

The Slovenian rider finished just ahead of Maja Wloszczowska (Giant Pro XC) while Catharine Pendrel (Luna) rode in solo for third place. Alexandra Engen (Ghost) and Eva Lechner (Colnago Sudtirol) completed podium.

"It feels amazing," said Zakelj. "I know what I achieved today was special."

Like last week, Engen set a fast pace from the start of the five-lap race. She was joined at the front by Wloszczowska and Albstadt World Cup winner Lechner. Zakelj and Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Multivan Merida) followed closely behind.

Pendrel wasn't quite as fast off the start, but soon worked her way to the front of the race while Dahle Flesjaa lost ground..

Engen was dropped by the other four, who stayed together until the fourth lap of the five-lap race, when Lechner flatted. The Italian had a quick wheel change in the tech zone, but was caught by Engen, who eventually beat her for fourth.

On the same penultimate lap, Zakjl pushed the pace and created a separation that gapped Pendrel and Lechner. Her effort was enough to also gap Wloszczowska, who chased solo in second place and it looked like Zakejl might have made the race-winning move. However, she crashed on a technical downhill and lost enough time that Wloszczowska rejoined her at the front.

"I felt adrenaline in the last two laps. It was so tough. I was making so many technical mistakes. I'd never been in this position before," said Zakelj.

"I had problems to stay with the leading group for the first few laps, but I stayed focussed and knew that on fourth lap I would make an attack," said Zakelj "I just rode my race and didn't worry about Maja's race. I thought she might try to pass me on the climbs, but I guess I was strong enough to stay in front."

The two leaders stayed together until the final meters. Zakelj seemed slightly stronger but Wloszczowska hung tough and the two appeared to be set up for a sprint finish when Wloszczowska, in second, slid out on the final corner.

"I was waiting for the sprint, but Maja crashed, so I was able to achieve this awesome victory," said Zakelj, who rode on for the win while Wloszczowska finished in second place shortly thereafter. Pendrel rode the later part of the race on her own to finish in third.

Engen had a strong finish and moved back up into the top five.

Zakelj and Wloszczowska are tied atop the standings with 400 points each; Zakelj gets the lead due to her win, with Lechner 10 points behind.

Full Results

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Elite women cross country
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Tanja Zakelj (Slo) Unior Tools Team1:25:50
2Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) Giant Pro XC Team0:00:19
3Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team0:01:21
4Alexandra Engen (Swe) Ghost Factory Racing Team0:02:07
5Eva Lechner (Ita) Team Colnago Sudtirol0:02:19
6Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team0:02:32
7Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team0:03:24
8Lea Davison (USA) Specialized Racing Xc0:03:29
9Emily Batty (Can) Trek Factory Racing0:03:46
10Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Nor) Multivan Merida Biking Team0:03:57
11Pauline Ferrand Prevot* (Fra) Giant Pro XC Team0:04:25
12Annie Last (GBr) Trek Factory Racing0:04:26
13Esther Süss (Swi) Wheeler - iXS Team0:04:54
14Jolanda Neff* (Swi) Giant Pro XC Team0:05:09
15Adelheid Morath (Ger) Sabine Spitz Haibike Pro TeamRow 14 - Cell 2
16Chengyuan Ren (Chn)0:05:38
17Nathalie Schneitter (Swi) Team Colnago Sudtirol0:06:18
18Anna Szafraniec (Pol)0:06:27
19Aleksandra Dawidowicz (Pol) Bi&Esse Carrera0:06:48
20Katrin Leumann (Swi) Ghost Factory Racing Team0:07:11
21Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Calcit Bike Team0:07:12
22Annika Langvad (Den) Team Davinci - Specialized0:07:25
23Tereza Hurikova (Cze) Specialized Racing Xc0:07:33
24Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team0:07:46
25Vera Andreeva (Rus) Team Protek0:08:04
26Kathrin Stirnemann (Swi) Sabine Spitz Haibike Pro Team0:08:26
27Sabrina Enaux (Fra)0:08:34
28Mary Mcconneloug (USA)0:09:03
29Katarzyna Solus-Miskowicz (Pol)0:09:42
30Daniela Campuzano (Mex)0:10:00
31Corina Gantenbein (Swi) Fischer-BMC0:10:06
32Amanda Sin (Can) Scott-3Roxracing0:10:12
33Hanna Klein (Ger)0:10:29
34Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Ghost Factory Racing Team0:10:30
35Githa Michiels (Bel) Toka Print MTB Team0:10:38
36Kate Fluker (NZl)0:10:41
37Anja Gradl (Ger) Team Bulls0:11:26
38Judy Freeman (USA)0:12:46
39Paula Gorycka (Pol) 4F Racing Team0:12:55
40Nadine Rieder (Ger) Topeak Ergon Racing Team0:13:26
41Nina Wrobel (Ger)0:13:37
42Serena Calvetti (Ita) Torpado Surfing Shop0:13:46
43Anna Villar Argente (Spa)0:14:02
44Erin Huck (USA)0:14:29
45Samara Sheppard (NZl) Toka Print MTB Team0:14:36
46Jitka Skarnitzlova (Cze)0:14:55
-1lapLee Craigie (GBr)Row 46 - Cell 2
-1lapKatherine O'neill (NZl)Row 47 - Cell 2
-1lapNataliya Krompets (Ukr) ISD MTB TeamRow 48 - Cell 2
-1lapLucie Vesela (Cze)Row 49 - Cell 2
-1lapFranziska Brun (Swi)Row 50 - Cell 2
-1lapElvira Khayrullina (Rus)Row 51 - Cell 2
-1lapKateryna Naberezhna (Ukr) ISD MTB TeamRow 52 - Cell 2
-1lapLucia Vazquez Crespo (Spa)Row 53 - Cell 2
-2lapsLenka Bulisova (Cze)Row 54 - Cell 2
-3lapsRuth Owen-Evans (GBr)Row 55 - Cell 2
-3lapsAsuman Bura Balci (Tur)Row 56 - Cell 2
DNFNikki Harris (GBr)Row 57 - Cell 2
DNFBarbara Benko (Hun) Focus XC TeamRow 58 - Cell 2
DNFAnna Oberparleiter (Ita)Row 59 - Cell 2
DNFLucie Chainel-Lefevre (Fra) BH - SR Suntour - KmcRow 60 - Cell 2
DNSSarah Koba (Swi) JB Felt TeamRow 61 - Cell 2
DNSElena Gogoleva (Rus) Cycling Club Roma MTB TeamRow 62 - Cell 2
DNSLene Byberg (Nor)Row 63 - Cell 2
DNSIrena Berkova (Cze)Row 64 - Cell 2
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Teams
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Giant Pro XC Team72pts
2Luna Pro Team63Row 1 - Cell 3
3Team Colnago Sudtirol42Row 2 - Cell 3
4Ghost Factory Racing Team41Row 3 - Cell 3
5Trek Factory Racing41Row 4 - Cell 3
6Unior Tools Team40Row 5 - Cell 3
7Specialized Racing XC31Row 6 - Cell 3
8Topeak Ergon Racing Team26Row 7 - Cell 3
9Multivan Merida Biking Team21Row 8 - Cell 3
10Sabine Spitz Haibike Pro Team21Row 9 - Cell 3
11Wheeler - iXS Team18Row 10 - Cell 3
12Bi&Esse Carrera12Row 11 - Cell 3
13Calcit Bike Team10Row 12 - Cell 3
14Team Davinci - Specialized9Row 13 - Cell 3
15Team Protek6Row 14 - Cell 3
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Elite women cross country World Cup standings after round 2
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Tanja Zakelj (Slo) Unior Tools Team400pts
2Maja Wloszczowska (Pol) Giant Pro XC Team400Row 1 - Cell 3
3Eva Lechner (Ita) Team Colnago Sudtirol390Row 2 - Cell 3
4Alexandra Engen (Swe) Ghost Factory Racing Team290Row 3 - Cell 3
5Irina Kalentieva (Rus) Topeak Ergon Racing Team250Row 4 - Cell 3
6Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team245Row 5 - Cell 3
7Emily Batty (Can) Trek Factory Racing230Row 6 - Cell 3
8Katrin Leumann (Swi) Ghost Factory Racing Team226Row 7 - Cell 3
9Katerina Nash (Cze) Luna Pro Team215Row 8 - Cell 3
10Jolanda Neff* (Swi) Giant Pro XC Team188Row 9 - Cell 3
11Lea Davison (USA) Specialized Racing XC182Row 10 - Cell 3
12Adelheid Morath (Ger) Sabine Spitz Haibike Pro Team176Row 11 - Cell 3
13Pauline Ferrand Prevot* (Fra) Giant Pro XC Team164Row 12 - Cell 3
14Esther Süss (Swi) Wheeler - iXS Team160Row 13 - Cell 3
15Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjaa (Nor) Multivan Merida Biking Team159Row 14 - Cell 3
16Annie Last (GBr) Trek Factory Racing141Row 15 - Cell 3
17Annika Langvad (Den) Team Davinci - Specialized140Row 16 - Cell 3
18Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Calcit Bike Team140Row 17 - Cell 3
19Tereza Hurikova (Cze) Specialized Racing XC128Row 18 - Cell 3
20Vera Andreeva (Rus) Team Protek126Row 19 - Cell 3
21Nathalie Schneitter (Swi) Team Colnago Sudtirol122Row 20 - Cell 3
22Aleksandra Dawidowicz (Pol) Bi&Esse Carrera122Row 21 - Cell 3
23Kathrin Stirnemann (Swi) Sabine Spitz Haibike Pro Team120Row 22 - Cell 3
24Georgia Gould (USA) Luna Pro Team116Row 23 - Cell 3
25Corina Gantenbein (Swi) Fischer-BMC104Row 24 - Cell 3
26Hanna Klein (Ger)102Row 25 - Cell 3
27Mary Mcconneloug (USA)102Row 26 - Cell 3
28Sabrina Enaux (Fra)94Row 27 - Cell 3
29Marianne Vos (Ned)90Row 28 - Cell 3
30Daniela Campuzano (Mex)90Row 29 - Cell 3
31Katarzyna Solus-Miskowicz (Pol)88Row 30 - Cell 3
32Elisabeth Osl (Aut) Ghost Factory Racing Team86Row 31 - Cell 3
33Paula Gorycka (Pol) 4F Racing Team75Row 32 - Cell 3
34Chengyuan Ren (Chn)74Row 33 - Cell 3
35Anna Szafraniec (Pol)70Row 34 - Cell 3
36Amanda Sin (Can) Scott-3Roxracing66Row 35 - Cell 3
37Githa Michiels (Bel) Toka Print MTB Team64Row 36 - Cell 3
38Anja Gradl (Ger) Team Bulls57Row 37 - Cell 3
39Nina Wrobel (Ger)57Row 38 - Cell 3
40Kate Fluker (NZl)53Row 39 - Cell 3
41Nadine Rieder (Ger) Topeak Ergon Racing Team49Row 40 - Cell 3
42Lee Craigie (GBr)47Row 41 - Cell 3
43Anna Villar Argente (Spa)47Row 42 - Cell 3
44Judy Freeman (USA)45Row 43 - Cell 3
45Jitka Skarnitzlova (Cze)39Row 44 - Cell 3
46Lene Byberg (Nor)38Row 45 - Cell 3
47Mikaela Kofman (Can) Scott-3Roxracing36Row 46 - Cell 3
48Fanny Bourdon (Fra) Look - Beaumes De Venise34Row 47 - Cell 3
49Erin Huck (USA)34Row 48 - Cell 3
50Samara Sheppard (NZl) Toka Print MTB Team34Row 49 - Cell 3
51Nikki Harris (GBr)32Row 50 - Cell 3
52Sarah Koba (Swi) JB Felt Team29Row 51 - Cell 3
53Barbara Benko (Hun) Focus XC Team27Row 52 - Cell 3
54Serena Calvetti (Ita) Torpado Surfing Shop26Row 53 - Cell 3
55Franziska Brun (Swi)26Row 54 - Cell 3
56Anna Oberparleiter (Ita)23Row 55 - Cell 3
57Katherine O'neill (NZl)20Row 56 - Cell 3
58Jacquelina Alvarez (Arg)20Row 57 - Cell 3
59Nataliya Krompets (Ukr) ISD MTB Team19Row 58 - Cell 3
60Lucie Vesela (Cze)18Row 59 - Cell 3
61Laura Metzler (Fra) BH - SR Suntour - Kmc18Row 60 - Cell 3
62Elvira Khayrullina (Rus)16Row 61 - Cell 3
63Lucie Chainel-Lefevre (Fra) BH - SR Suntour - Kmc16Row 62 - Cell 3
64Kateryna Naberezhna (Ukr) ISD MTB Team15Row 63 - Cell 3
65Lucia Vazquez Crespo (Spa)14Row 64 - Cell 3
66Hielke Elferink (Ned)14Row 65 - Cell 3
67Lenka Bulisova (Cze)13Row 66 - Cell 3
68Elisabeth Brandau (Ger)13Row 67 - Cell 3
69Ruth Owen-Evans (GBr)12Row 68 - Cell 3
70Judith Pollinger (Ita)12Row 69 - Cell 3
71Asuman Bura Balci (Tur)11Row 70 - Cell 3
72Laura Turpijn (Ned) SBJ Bike Team8Row 71 - Cell 3
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World Cup team standings after round 2
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Giant Pro XC Team145pts
2Luna Pro Team110Row 1 - Cell 3
3Ghost Factory Racing Team103Row 2 - Cell 3
4Team Colnago Sudtirol85Row 3 - Cell 3
5Trek Factory Racing73Row 4 - Cell 3
6Unior Tools Team70Row 5 - Cell 3
7Specialized Racing XC57Row 6 - Cell 3
8Sabine Spitz Haibike Pro Team54Row 7 - Cell 3
9Topeak Ergon Racing Team50Row 8 - Cell 3
10Wheeler - iXS Team36Row 9 - Cell 3
11Multivan Merida Biking Team31Row 10 - Cell 3
12Team Davinci - Specialized26Row 11 - Cell 3
13Calcit Bike Team26Row 12 - Cell 3
14Team Protek19Row 13 - Cell 3
15Bi&Esse Carrera17Row 14 - Cell 3
16Fischer-BMC8Row 15 - Cell 3
174F Racing Team1Row 16 - Cell 3

 

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