UCI MTB World Cup XCO 2016: Albstadt, Germany - 22 May

[FCH]

these two guys are on a complete different level to anyone around them; how Absalon managed the fightback after the flat in round 1 was just proof- the season will be a two horse contest.

respect

[worriesnot]

2 best mtb riders of all time in 1 pic

great battle today

[raptor-22]

Pauline and jolanda out due to illness. Langvad seems to be on form. Hope its not something sinister

[ichnusa]

Amazing race and 2 top class riders.  Finish at 1:45ish in the clip...

 

http://beta.redbull.tv/live/AP-1KR6HRJW11W11/uci-mountain-bike-world-cup

[Squier]

One of the best finishes ever. Great win for Nino on a course that suits Julien much better. Fast, steep and flowy. France in two weeks... Julien's home race.

[rouxtjie]

best race in recent memory....kinda feel for absalon...nino is just something else. complete package...BMT / great sprint / descends like a bat out of hell / can climb like a goat. 

[NicoBoshoff]

best race in recent memory....kinda feel for absalon...nino is just something else. complete package...BMT / great sprint / descends like a bat out of hell / can climb like a goat. 

When they entered the final 200m I told my wife, I reckon Nino is now treating this like a pursuit and his roadie experience might just do it. Look how smart I am!

[Gen]

When they entered the final 200m I told my wife, I reckon Nino is now treating this like a pursuit and his roadie experience might just do it. Look how smart I am!

I honestly didn't think that finish would be long enough for Nino to get it 9n the line.. but how wrong was I.

 

Shows you how much power he has.

 

Julian must be wondering what he actually has to do to beat Nino. He has improved his depending so much. Did everything right.. made sure he was in front of Nino on that last decent. . Still not enough.. that was probably the tightest race I have seen.. Great competitors.

[NicoBoshoff]

Oh and about the elephant in the room. Absalon. Dropper post. Descending improved.

[Gen]

Oh and about the elephant in the room. Absalon. Dropper post. Descending improved.

That and he has spent a lot of time with his brother improving his skills.. probably find it was his brother that encouraged him to use a dropper.

[TheJ]

If you ask me, Julian was undergeared in that sprint. In the slo-mo, Nino was pedalling slightly slower, and was obviously pulling up next to Julian. Absalon should have dropped one gear more before the sprint.

[HOEKVLAG]

What a race between two greats!

[rouxtjie]

If you ask me, Julian was undergeared in that sprint. In the slo-mo, Nino was pedalling slightly slower, and was obviously pulling up next to Julian. Absalon should have dropped one gear more before the sprint.

honestly, dont think it would have mattered....nino has more explosive power than julian, if he is not going to drop him on the climbs he won't beat him....that and of course a mechanical, which must be frustrating for him. Let's also face it...absalon is in super form, still can't beat nino.

[NicoBoshoff]

It's only fair anyways.  Nino had him smoked last year at Albstadt and then washed out.  The balance has been restored.

 

But yeah, if Nino's climbing stays this strong, Absalon better start getting used to the smell of silver.

[Stretch]

honestly, dont think it would have mattered....nino has more explosive power than julian, if he is not going to drop him on the climbs he won't beat him....that and of course a mechanical, which must be frustrating for him. Let's also face it...absalon is in super form, still can't beat nino.

dont forget the fact that Julien is 5 years older as well

[Gen]

dont forget the fact that Julien is 5 years older as well

 

Julian has adapted over the last 2 yrs.. 2 years ago we saw him get on a dual sus to help with the descending on certain courses, this year we have heard him doing a lot of work to improve his descending skills..and got himself a dropper .. BUT not much you can do about your date of birth.