After a tight duel, the World Champion her compatriot in Val di Sole. Swiss Alessandra Keller rounded out the day’s top-3, conquering the first Short Track World Cup in the process
An uncertain race was expected in Val di Sole (Trentino, Northern Italy) on Friday, September 2nd, but the eve's predictions were not disappointed in the last Short Track of the 2022 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. One week after her triumph in Les Gets, Pauline Ferrand-Prèvot claimed a beautiful success in Val di Sole.
The World Champion preceded fellow French Loana Lecomte after a tight duel. With the third place conquered in Val di Sole ahead of Jolanda Neff, Swiss Alessandra Keller won the first ever Short Track World Cup. US Kate Courtney completed the day’s top-5.
Italian Martina Berta splintered the group of favorites in the first laps with an offensive tactic, but Ferrand-Prèvot, Lecomte, Keller and Neff managed to keep it in control. In the final lap, Lecomte launched an attack in the climbing section, finding the answer of Ferrand-Prèvot. The 30-year-old born in Reims was sharp in getting past Lecomte in the very last turn to eventually precede her to the finish line.
“I felt great coming into the race, but for some reason, I wasn’t able to push like I wanted. I am maybe still a little tired from last week. Anyway, I am happy with this win and looking forward to Sunday. Tactics wise, I thought to play a little of a waiting game in the first half to bring the attack in the final, but eventually, I couldn’t and it came down to a sprint. There, I knew I wouldn’t be able to pass in the last straight, so I made the move in the final corner to get past Loana.”, said World Champion Ferrand-Prèvot.
"It's crazy to be the first Short Track World Cup winner", argued Alessandra Keller. - "I didn't expect it at the start of the season. I just wanted to get back to where I was. Then with consistency, I found myself in this position, and came into this final race with the pressure of winning this cup, as I really wanted it. I knew I had to finish in the top-5 to be sure to win, but actually, I didn't count the positions - just went all-in. This season gives me confidence to head into Sunday with a chance to win the XCO World Cup.”
