Julie confirms, Maxime impresses
Less than 48h after their Team Relay’s first place, Julie Bresset scored a legitimate victory, and Maxime Marotte, leading during the first half of the race, came close to overthrowing the Emperor on his land…
Team Relay
Let’s be self-satisfyed…the crew put to the Team Relay, on Friday evening, had a good look! Ruben Scheire and Thibault Geneste were accompanied by two World Champions : Maxime Marotte and Julie Bresset. Do we have to remind you how Julie Bresset and Maxime Marotte won this incredible World title against the strong Swiss national team in Champéry? This Friday, both were wearing well-deserved rainbow stripes jerseys. Relaxed but focused, the quartet finished first of this opening race.
Women Elite : Julie’s mastery
Winner of the last two editions, Julie Bresset managed the race as a boss. Breaking away, with a 30 seconds gap at the end of the first of 4 laps, she always strenghtened her position, just losing few seconds in the last downhill, because of a puncture.
Laura Metzler missed her pedal at the start, but then, she did well to come back and join Julie on the podium. She finishes 3rd.
After a tough beginning on the first World Cup round, the French national cyclo-cross champion, Lucie Chainel, was more confident this Sunday : she finished 5th. This result cheers her up .
Unfortunately, this race has also brought bad news : Hélène Marcouyre fell, breaking her collarbone. She will be out for a few weeks.
Men Elite : Maxime increases pressure
Without any complex, Maxime Marotte tried to upset Julien Absalon. Leading throughout the first half of the race, widening the gap, he stood up to the Olympic Champion until he cut his tire in a tricky path. He ran a while to the first technical zone, and restarted in 6th rank, but he was really hammering this day, and came back after to the 3rd position. Rather than disappointment, Maxime preferred to highlight positive facts of this race : his feelings are much better than 2 weeks before, he trust he will succeed this next weeks.
Ruben Scheire was in contention for the U23 victory, he’s 3rd at finish, a bit disappointed. But competition was tough between the young riders. He’s already focused on Houffalize World Cup, his first target of 2012 season, among his Belgian fans.
Thibault geneste was 14th, for his first U23 race.
Next race : April 14th and 15th, Houffalize, 2nd World Cup round, Belgium
Maxime Marotte, crédits : Universal Bike Racing
Mots-clefs : BH, Mountain Bike, Saint Raphaël, Suntour