Photo Epic: Nove Mesto XC World Cup 2022

May 16, 2022
by Ross Bell  




We're into the thick of the 2022 race season with the third round ticked off the calendar after another frantic day of racing in the classic venue of Nove Mesto na Morave. It's been dry and dusty on course with the returning fans treated to some fast and frantic racing after the U23's got us underway on Saturday. Line Burquier and Martin Vidaurre Kossmann continued their dominance with yet another commanding win, making it 3 from 3 for both respectively. Puck Pieterse and Giada Specia returned to the U23 women's podium whilst Simone Avondetto and Dario Lillo rounded out the men's.

You'd have been brave or maybe even foolish to bet against Rebecca McConnell given her start to the season and so it turned out to be with the Aussie taking her third win of the season. She is seemingly unstoppable at the moment and it's fully deserved. No one can seem to get close. Loana Lecomte ran her the closest, albeit 40 seconds back with Jenny Rissveds a further half minute or so behind her, Jolanda Neff and Caroline Bohé justled for the final 2 spots on the podium with the Olympic champ coming out on top. The men's race was a little more open with a gaggle of riders all in the mix until late on in the race. Vlad Dascalu and Tom Pidcock went bar to bar down the final straight, the young Brit taking another win with the Romanian agonisingly close to that first win once again. Nino Schurter fought back impressively after a rear flat into third with Anton Cooper and Alan Hatherly rounding out the top 5.

The XC racers now have a few weeks to rest and recuperate before round 4 in Leogang, Austria.

Beautiful weather for racing bikes.
Beautiful weather for racing bikes.

Martin Vidaurre taking the line.
Martin Vidaurre taking the line.

Men s U23 start.
Men's U23 start.

Simone Avondetto secured second place but not without some back and forth.
Simone Avondetto secured second place but not without some back and forth.

By the end of the second lap Vidaurre was miles ahead.
By the end of the second lap, Vidaurre was miles ahead.

Dario Lillo was in the mix from the get go finally taking 3rd.
Dario Lillo was in the mix from the get-go, finally taking 3rd.

Another win for Vidaure after a dominating performance.
Another win for Vidaure after a dominating performance.

Your U23 men s podium - 1st Martin Vidaurre Kossman 2nd Simone Avondetto and 3rd Dario Lillo
Your U23 Men's podium - 1st Martin Vidaurre Kossman, 2nd Simone Avondetto, and 3rd Dario Lillo

Line Burquier looking to make it 3 from 3 in 2022.
Line Burquier looking to make it 3 from 3 in 2022.

Puck Pieterse laying down the most watts off the line.
Puck Pieterse laying down the most watts off the line.

Line Burquier seems happy to sit back and let the race come to her.
Line Burquier seems happy to sit back and let the race come to her.

Giada Specia digs deep to keep hold of that final podium place.
Giada Specia digs deep to keep hold of that final podium place.

Puck Pieterse tried her utmost to keep Burquier behind her but in the end reluctantly relinquished the lead.
Puck Pieterse tried her utmost to keep Burquier behind her but in the end reluctantly relinquished the lead.

Line Burquier crosses the line miles ahead of her opposition once again.
Line Burquier crosses the line miles ahead of her opposition once again.

Line Burquier takes the top spot here in Nove Mesto with Puck Pieterse in second ajd Giada Specia third.
Line Burquier takes the top spot here in Nove Mesto with Puck Pieterse in second and Giada Specia third.

It s great to see crowds back in Nove Mesto.
It's great to see crowds back in Nove Mesto.

Jenny Rissveds is always a contender for the race win regardless of the track or conditions.
Jenny Rissveds is always a contender for the race win regardless of the track or conditions.

Jolanda Neff with the final call up after her short track win on Friday.
Jolanda Neff with the final call up after her short track win on Friday.

Loana Lecomte hasn t quite shown her devastating level of form from last season but is consintently picking up podium positions.
Loana Lecomte hasn't quite shown her devastating level of form from last season but is consistently picking up podium positions.

The women kick off Sunday s race action.
The Women kick off Sunday's race action.

Sena Frei stayed in touch to close out the top 10.
Sena Frei stayed in touch to close out the top 10.

With McConnell well out in frontm Lecomte and Rissveds trade punches as the laps wear down.
With McConnell well out in front Lecomte and Rissveds trade punches as the laps wear down.

Jolanda Neff couldn t quite back up her short track performance and ended up 4th.
Jolanda Neff couldn't quite back up her short track performance and ended up 4th.

Laura Stigger fought her way back to a 7th place finish.
Laura Stigger fought her way back to a 7th place finish.

Mona Mitterwalner is showing great strength as her first Elite season unfolds. She d just miss the podium here in Nove Mesto.
Mona Mitterwalner is showing great strength as her first Elite season unfolds. She'd just miss the podium here in Nove Mesto.

What a year so far for McConnell found here all alone in front skipping stones.
What a year so far for McConnell found here all alone in front, skipping stones.

Caroline Bohe was flying today. She climbed up to fifth after dropping down into the croud at the begginning.
Caroline Bohe was flying today. She climbed up to fifth after dropping down into the crowd at the beginning.

No one could match the pace of Rebecca McConnell today.
No one could match the pace of Rebecca McConnell today.

Loana Lecomte with Jenny Rissveds hot on her heels.
Loana Lecomte with Jenny Rissveds hot on her heels.

Alessandra Keller was unlucky with a mechanical she still recovered to 8th.
Alessandra Keller was unlucky with a mechanical, she still recovered to 8th.

Jenny Rissves adds another podium to her 2022 tally.
Jenny Rissves adds another podium to her 2022 tally.

The classic climb of Nove Mesto was lined with fans once again.
The classic climb of Nove Mesto was lined with fans once again.

3 from 3 for Rebecca McConnell in 2022.
3 from 3 for Rebecca McConnell in 2022.

Kate Courtney just outside the top 10 today.
Kate Courtney just outside the top 10 today.

Incredible race from Bohe.
Incredible race from Bohe.

Your women s elite podium - 1st Rebecca McConnell 2nd Jenny Rissveds 3rd Loana Lecomte 4th Caroline Bohe and fifth Jolanda Neff
Your Women's elite podium - 1st Rebecca McConnell, 2nd Jenny Rissveds, 3rd Loana Lecomte, 4th Caroline Bohe, and fifth Jolanda Neff

Another bubbly shower for Rebecca McConnell this season.
Another bubbly shower for Rebecca McConnell this season.

Vlad Dascalu gearing up for another gruelling afternoon of racing.
Vlad Dascalu gearing up for another gruelling afternoon of racing.

Alan Hatherly has had good success so far this season and is looking for that much more.
Alan Hatherly has had good success so far this season and is looking for that much more.

Pidcock warming up for a long race ahead.
Pidcock warming up for a long race ahead.

Elite men s start.
Elite Men's start.

Vlad Dascalu didn t have to fight his way through the pack at the start this week.
Vlad Dascalu didn't have to fight his way through the pack at the start this week.

Friday night s short track winner Luca Schwarzbauer slotted into 9th today.
Friday night's short track winner Luca Schwarzbauer slotted into 9th today.

Nino Schurter with one hell of a ride through the pack after a rear flat.
Nino Schurter with one hell of a ride through the pack after a rear flat.

Anton Cooper with a strong ride into 4th place.
Anton Cooper with a strong ride into 4th place.

The mid race lead group heading up the main climb.
The mid-race lead group heading up the main climb.

Alan Hatherly kept in reach of the front group and scored the last spot on the podium.
Alan Hatherly kept in reach of the front group and scored the last spot on the podium.

XCC winner Luca Schwarzbauer was no slouch slotting into ninth.
XCC winner Luca Schwarzbauer was no slouch slotting into ninth.

Vital Albin with a hell of race landing in the 10th spot.
Vital Albin with a hell of a race landing in the 10th spot.

Mathias Fluckiger rode near the front for most of the race but slipped back to 6th in the end.
Mathias Flückiger rode near the front for most of the race but slipped back to 6th in the end.

Vlad Dascalu leads the pack out on the final lap.
Vlad Dascalu leads the pack out on the final lap.

He s getting ever close to that first World Cup win.
He's getting ever close to that first World Cup win.

Hatherly taking a moment before the podium. Well done today.
Hatherly taking a moment before the podium. Well done today.

Hurting but satisfied Nino Schurter fought back hard after a mechanical.
Hurting but satisfied, Nino Schurter fought back hard after a mechanical.

8th place for Andri Frischknecht.
8th place for Andri Frischknecht.

No walk in the park today for Pidcock.
No walk in the park today for Pidcock.

Thomas Pidcock cooling off the jets in the Nove Mesto sun.
Thomas Pidcock cooling off the jets in the Nove Mesto sun.

Your top 5 elite men. 1st Tom Pidcock 2nd Vlad Dascalu 3rd Nino Schurter 4th Anton Cooper 5th Alan Hatherly.
Your top 5 Elite Men. 1st Tom Pidcock 2nd Vlad Dascalu 3rd Nino Schurter 4th Anton Cooper 5th Alan Hatherly.

Another year done and dusted in Nove Mesto.
Another year done and dusted in Nove Mesto.


Author Info:
rossbellphoto avatar

Member since Apr 25, 2010
145 articles

85 Comments
  • 65 0
 Watching Nino striking back reminds me why he is the legend of crosscountry. His spirit and dominative performance in the past had led many rivals to become stronger and more competitive, and pushed himself to get to higher level even if his 36 years old.
  • 29 0
 Realy impressive to watch that - I kept thinking he would blow up and it wasn't until he'd secured 3rd that he finally accepted he wasn't going to win the thing! Strongest rider on the day for sure.
  • 2 0
 And still only him big gaping for the show
  • 9 0
 @PauRexs: Nino is all about the big gapes.
  • 2 10
flag entrecerros (May 16, 2022 at 9:36) (Below Threshold)
 @thingswelike: I think Pidcock had much more than what he showed on the race course. For me he was a secure winner even before the start. He reminds me of the good ol' days from Valentino Rossi, when he was some steps beyond competition, but Tom staying super cool and relaxed. Nino is the bravest on mtb peloton, completely agree with that.
  • 11 0
 Nino's performance yesterday was one for the ages. One of the most impressive comebacks I have ever witnessed. Lead group, rode half a lap with a flat rear, gets it changed while dropping to 17th, then comes back to the lead group on the final lap and still beats 3 of the riders that had been in that lead group the entire race. Absolutely unfreakingreal.....
  • 2 1
 @entrecerros: No, he didn't have more. He tried to go earlier but couldn't shake the others, i think he said it himself
  • 11 0
 Well done Tom. Its been a minute since the British were competitive at xc. I was looking at his stats thinking 'oh im 1.7m too', and then seen he is 50kg. Im carrying around an extra bag of cement on that boy.
  • 5 0
 He‘s around 60kg, not 50
  • 2 0
 @Fortuneteller: fait enough. I just googled his height and it came up with his weight at 50kg. Im only carrying around extra half bag of cement then. That makes me feel better Smile
  • 5 0
 @drjonnywonderboy: if he was 50kg I’d be carrying around another Tom
  • 14 2
 Again only photos of the Top10. Show the rest of the field some love as well
  • 22 0
 Did you not see the lovely first photo?! Big Grin
www.pinkbike.com/photo/22587433
  • 3 0
 @scar4me: well done, whole field indeed.
  • 1 0
 Reflex Red Bull coverage - no concept of race within a race
  • 1 0
 *reflects
Voice dictation
  • 8 0
 Nino has to be so proud of that ride. That was unreal.
  • 4 0
 Spotting new tires from both Maxxis and Specialized. It's probably already been spotted, but here goes.

Maxxis - (black and white photo of nino) - looks like a new but same tread on the aspen. The center ramps that kind of almost look like an arrow from above that are in groups of 3 look like they are now in groups of 5 or more.. It' also could be the blur of the photo. Also, in that last black and white photo of him on the ground you can see "maxxis test pilot" on the stamp of that rear wheel.

Specialized - Both Sina Frei and Laura Stigger are riding a tire with the name of "captain" on the side. Which is actually a tire they used to make like 10yrs ago. I think it's name was actually called "the captain". Looks like Spesh is resurrecting that name?
  • 1 0
 Saw it on Sarrou's bike prior to the XCC.
Yes, it was "The Captain" back then.
If they are bringing it back it's just in testing/team use at the moment.
It hasn't been released to the public yet. (Not on their website anyway.)
  • 4 0
 > looks like a new but same tread on the aspen

Aspen SS. Pro-only tread which has existed for a few years now.
  • 4 0
 “The Captain” is a reference to Ned Overend.
  • 1 0
 Aspen ST, for lower rolling resistance, Test pilot is 170TPI for the pros
  • 8 0
 These photographs are amazing, props the photographers!
  • 4 0
 Albstadt: "Line Burquier was happy to sit back at the start and let the race come to her."
Nmnm: "Line Burquier was happy to sit back at the start and let the race come to her."

Caption for the whole season?
  • 15 0
 Let's just say the author is happy to sit back at the start of the article and let the caption for Line come to him.
  • 2 0
 @Aksel31: Excellent comment XD
  • 7 5
 You can really see the roadie in Pidcock, sitting on wheels all day & attacking in the feed zone. And what was up with that move running Fluckiger into the fencing? I know it's all fair in racing but I don't have to like him or his tactics.
  • 3 2
 Do memes hurt your feelings as well?
  • 3 1
 @bouldertom: I don't even know WTF you're talking about jackass.
  • 1 2
 Right, he's won all of his other XC races by going solo for 45 minutes but sure lets pretend he's just a wheelsucker after this one performance.

And you really don't see much feed zone attacking in pro road racing. When you're out there for 6+ hours the food is too important to risk by messing around. I'd say it's much more an XC / CX thing to attack in a tech/feed when all it means is an extra 5 minutes before you get your next half a gel.
  • 1 0
 @wingguy: wtf dumbass he had a suspension problem.
  • 1 1
 @Willikers: WTF dumbass, have you no sense of irony?
  • 1 0
 @wingguy: not with you bell end
  • 2 0
 Who knows how many spectators where on site? Is it free to go or how much was a ticket? Looking like an insane crowd from the pictures…
  • 1 0
 20 € for Sunday racing...
  • 1 0
 @katko: Thank you for your information... do you know how many people where there?
  • 1 0
 @kitzrider: well the FB account says there were 15 000 spectators on Sunday... Smile
  • 1 0
 Anyone else find it odd that there is a supposed correct pose for the podium? And why is it never done correctly? Where did this come from (the Tour?). Important questions I know.
  • 1 0
 Can anyone get an ID on Nino’s dropper? It’s got a silver collar like the AXS but no battery and appears to be cable actuated. He’s also got a funky custom lever that appears to be omnidirectional.
  • 4 0
 Answered my own question. Custom Yep Podio. Tiny Swiss company, half the weight of an AXS post. Lever is a giveaway.
  • 3 1
 Watching the Red bull coverage they caught Pidcock saying “it was locked the whole race” did Pidcock ride full rigid the whole race he certainly is beyond next level.
  • 3 0
 I think he was referring to the last lap or late in the race anyway, IIRC. There were many moments before then that you could clearly see the suspension was fully open.
  • 19 15
 THOMAS B1GC0CK
  • 5 2
 Using thoughts to text?
  • 5 0
 haha, oooh come on...Below threshold?, i thought the comment was pretty good, times have really changed which i understand, but reality is that 15 years ago it would have been top comment... anyway
  • 4 0
 @Narro2: it’s like Covid was the final straw and there’s been a global loss of sense of humour
  • 2 0
 @bouldertom: you are right in a sense, but dont take it too much to heart though, Pinkbike comment section and its forums were really open mind in the sense of humour perspective, that has changed... and theres nothing we can do about it, there are other platforms which you can join and still enjoy this sense of humor.
Start finding a forum of your liking in Reddit or one of those sites, and take it from there, you can find one that feels like the old times.
  • 1 0
 @Willikers: What is tf?
  • 1 0
 @AndrewFleming: yo Urban dictionary is your friend
  • 1 1
 @AndrewFleming: doing you a favor despite dissin me in t'other. Wtfu
  • 1 0
 Your caption on the woman’s podium is wrong
: Lecomte 2nd and Rissveds was 3rd.
  • 2 0
 Hmm, yeah, and didn’t Yolande come 4th, not 5th.
  • 2 0
 Well done Vlad! Looking forward for your first WC win!
  • 2 0
 Go Vlad!!!
  • 1 0
 Whats going on with Nino's tire in the picture? New Maxxis prototype?
  • 2 0
 He’s been running these on and off since at least 2019, but not sure if they’ve been released to the public. It’s an even more slick version of the Aspen.

bikerumor.com/spy-shot-nino-schurter-racing-prototype-maxxis-aspen-race-xc-mountain-bike-tires
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.043122
Mobile Version of Website