Matthias Flückiger (Thömus Maxon) received his first Global Cup of the 2023 season after taking the lead on the second one lap of 7 in Friend Arinsal, Andorra. After greater than a yr, Flückiger made it again to the highest of the rostrum for his tenth occupation Global Cup victory, in a time of one:28:03.
The Swiss rider was once driven arduous by way of France’s Thomas Griot (Canyon CLLCTV), who rode via a chasing bunch to get inside 8 seconds of Flückiger at the penultimate lap. However Flückiger prolonged the distance to take the win by way of some 23 seconds. Global Champion Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadier) was once 3rd.
“My purpose lately was once to head as arduous as I may just to the prohibit. I believe I controlled to do this. I am satisfied I treated it smartly when Griot put numerous drive on me. I simply targeting myself.
“A bit greater than a yr in the past I received my closing Global Cup race right here in Andorra, in Quick Monitor. After that I were given Covid and what came about afterwards, everyone is aware of. It simply feels just right to be again, simply in an effort to race. Successful a Global Cup is simply nice,” Flückiger mentioned.
A mixture of rain, low temperatures and top altitude made this 5th Global Cup race one of the crucial hardest cross-country Global Cups of the season.
Via the second one lap, an already solo Flückiger had established a seven-second result in Luca Schwarzbauer (Canyon CLLCTV) whilst Pidcock had made his method as much as a best 5 place.
Nino Schurter (Scott-SRAM MTB) suffered a rear flat, and although he was once with regards to the technical zone, he nonetheless had misplaced nearly one minute to the lead riders.
Mid-way in the course of the race, Jordan Sarrou (BMC) overtook Schwarzbauer and the pair have been quickly joined by way of Griot, 31 seconds at the back of Flückiger. The Frenchman persisted to forcibly chase decreasing the distance to beneath 10 seconds firstly of the general lap.
Pidcock handed Sarrou in sight of the completing directly to take 3rd, crossing the road 44 seconds after the winner. Schurter held directly to the collection chief’s jersey after completing twelfth.
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