Metzler takes a close Haifa Race

Hannes Metzler (Muskelkater Genesis Team) repeated his victory from last year in the Haifa race this morning after battling with Marek Galinski (JBG-2 UCI MTB Team). The Austrian Metlzer picked up more points this time, though, as this year's race - organized by the Israel Cycling Federation and the municipality of the northern port city - was upgraded to a UCI class 1 event.

Metzler came from behind to win the race, which was led from the beginning by Swiss rider Mattias Rupp (Team Firebike Droessiger). Rupp began to fade at the end of the fourth of six laps, and when Metzler and Galinski crossed the line together with one lap to go, it was clear that the race will come down to the line.

The perfect riding conditions - the race was held under a clear blue sky and mild temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius - made for a very fast race: Metzler finished six laps of the 5km course in just over an hour and 15 minutes, with Galinski a close eight seconds behind.

In the women's race it was Anna Szafraniec (CCC Polkowice) who took the lead early and held it on for five laps. Hungarian National Champion Barbara Benko (Euroone-Cube MTB UCI Team) was able to come from behind and finish second, while Israeli National Champion Noga Korem Noga Korem (TeaMisgav) took third.

Local TeaMisgav dominated the junior men's race with Roy Goldstein first and Omer Shubi second. Guy Gabay of TNT, another local club, finished third. TNT also took the junior women's race with Yuval Bar-Ziv and Megan Belzer taking first and second in front of Moran Tal-Paz (CCC).

Over 30 foreign riders participated in the second of three UCI races held in Israel this week. The last one will be held on March 12 in Misgav.

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