Martin Loo victorious at Windham Pro-XCT
Heat and mud factors for riders
Martin Loo (Hawaii) took his first UCI win at the Windham Mountain Pro-XCT in a massive come-from-behind effort. Veteran World Cup racer Florian Vogel (Focus Bikes) finished second, 1:38 behind Loo. Lukas Baum (UCI MTB) rode consistently to claim third place. Andrew L'Esperence (Norco Factory Team) finished fourth, while Georg Egger (Lexware Mountain Bike) rounded out the podium in fifth place.
Americans were shut out of the podium, although Russell Finstereald (SRAM-TLD-Scott) finished in sixth place.
Temperatures in excess of 90 degrees F, high humidity, mud, and threatening rain impacted on the race. 20 of 53 starters did not finish due to a variety of issues including heat and punctures.
Rising star Keegan Swenson (Cannondale 360 Fly) took the hole-shot on a grassy start and led the peloton onto a starting loop. Lukas Baum took control at the riders headed up the long climb known as Alp d'Huez.
As they crested the mountain, a group of four that did not include Loo had broken away. In addition, Swenson and L'Esperence had been gapped by the pacemaking of Baum.
Near the top of the climb Florian Vogel asserted himself and began what looked like a winning move. Loo was riding in the third group, but began to pick off riders ahead of him.
Loo commented on what happened when he reached Vogel, "I did not really attack, but just rode my pace." Apparently the pace was just too high for Vogel, who surrendered more than a minute to the Estonian.
By the third lap, the race had strung out somewhat and the final podium positions were set.
In previous editions of the race at Windham, climbing seemed to rule the day. However, for last year's World Cup, new sections of trail were added including "Rock no Roll," a rock garden with no obvious lines and sharp rocks. Technical ability became much more important on the revised course.
With Pro-XCT series leader Rapheal Gagne in Rio for the Olympics, it was uncertain if he would hang onto the title. In the end he did, as the three riders trailing him also did not attend. Only Derek Zandstra could have potentially passed Gagne in the standing, but that required a first place finish which did not happen. Zandstra finished in eighth place.
Maximillian Brandl (Lexware) won the U-23 race, which was run at the same time as the Elites. Marc-andre Fortier was second in that contest.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/j0riqebpsw1715769462.png)
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/j0riqebpsw1715769462.png)
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Paris Olympics: Women's Mountain Bike Cross Country - Preview
French duo Pauline Ferrand-Prévot and Loana Lecomte leading contenders for gold -
Paris Olympic Games welcomes record number of African riders in women's cycling
The increase in participants in the women's road race and the widening of qualification criteria has meant that more women can compete from a broader range of countries -
'Finally feel like a cyclist again' - Thomas Gloag to race for the first time in 362 days after being hit by a car in training
Talented young Brit makes return at four-day Czech Tour with Visma-Lease a Bike -
Volta a Portugal em Bicicleta: Rafael Reis wins prologue
Julius Johansen second as American Tyler Stites makes podium