UCI MTB World Cup: Closest finishes of the year in Vallnord for Schurter

The men's six lap race started out explosively fast, with a group of ten riders forming at the front. The pace was being driven by Ondrej Cink (Multivan Merida), the Under 23 world champion, who is now in his first year racing at the Elite level. Schurter was one of the big names that missed the move, and had to claw his way back up after flatting on the first lap. Another was Julien Absalon (BMC), who dropped his chain in the opening 300 metres of the race, falling to last place, and making an impressive e