The superstars of the cross-country mountain bike world put on a show in Cairns. The day began with victories to Helen Grobert (Germany) and Victor Koretzky (France) in the under-23 races, before Italian Champion Eva Lechner put on an emphatic display to win the Elite women’s race. Julian Absalon then put on a display to win the Elite men’s race. The times-over Olympic and World Champion came back from a puncture to show his class and race away from the field on the final lap to seal his win.
Visit here to view full results. For our reports on the races click here.
Helen Grobert heads towards the line in the Women’s under-23 race. Photo: Richie Tyler
Kate Courtney repping the USA in the women’s under-23 race. Photo: Richie Tyler
Russia had a sizeable team in Carins. Photo: Richie Tyler
A furious start in the men’s under-23 race. Photo: Richie Tyler
A sea of green and gold jerseys at the start of the men’s under-23 race. Photo: Richie Tyler
Victor Koretzky lives up to his first name to win the men’s under-23 race. Photo: Richie Tyler
Koretzky embraces teammate Jordan Sarrou after the pair finished 1-2. Photo: Richie Tyler
Koretzky, Sarrou and Michiel Van der Heijden. Photo: Richie Tyler
Elite women get underway. Photo: Richie Tyler
The start of the women’s elite race. Photo: Richie Tyler
Eva Lechner pulled away on the second lap and was never headed. Photo: Richie Tyler
Jolanda Neff started strong, but faded to 9th. Photo: Richie Tyler
Irina Kalentieva worked her way through the field to take 3rd. Photo: Richie Tyler
Bec Henderson finished 10th in her home World Cup. Photo: Richie Tyler
Eva Lechner was dominant in Cairns. Photo: Richie Tyler
Eva Lechner at the finish. Photo: Richie Tyler
An elated Emily Batty after taking second in Cairns. Photo: Richie Tyler
Irina Kalentieva finishes. Photo: Richie Tyler
A clearly happy Eva Lechner after her win. Photo: Richie Tyler
A picture of concentration before the start. Eventual race winner Julian Absalon. Photo: Richie Tyler
Mathias Fluckiger found his own way of keeping cool before the start. Photo: Richie Tyler
Grid girls, not quite as glamorous in MTB as motorsport. Photo: Richie Tyler
Dan McConnell was geared up to impress the local fans. Photo: Richie Tyler
Dan McConnell get’s the jump from the start. Photo: Richie Tyler
There was huge support across the venue from fans. Photo: Richie Tyler
The flurry of a World Cup start. Photo: Richie Tyler
Kicking up dust in Queensland. Photo: Richie Tyler
Endurance specialist Cory Wallace (left) tackled his first World Cup XCO race. Photo: Richie Tyler
Absalon never panicked after suffering an early flat. Photo: Richie Tyler
Dan McConnell biding his time in 6th with 2 to go. Photo: Richie Tyler
US Champ Stephen Ettinger had a horror start, crashing in the opening 200m. But he fought back to 12th. Photo: Richie Tyler
Julian Absalon enjoys his win in Cairns. Photo: Richie Tyler
Mathias Fluckiger rode strongly, but could do little to stop Absalon. Photo: Richie Tyler
Clearly the strongest, even at the finish. Photo: Richie Tyler
Says it all really. Photo: Richie Tyler
Julian Absalon. Photo: Richie Tyler
Australian XCM Champion Andy Blair finished top-30 (his goal), 20 years after first racing in Cairns. Photo: Richie Tyler
Exhausted but elated: Andy Blair. Photo: Richie Tyler
Kohei Yamamoto has probably had better days. Photo: Richie Tyler
Jenny Fay took out round 4 of the Real Insurance XCM Series on Friday and was there to congratulate Andy Blair at the finish on Sunday. Photo: Richie Tyler