Christine Schaffner, Switzerland and Samuli Saarela, Finland recorded their second victories of the weekend in the mass start long distance race. Schaffner’s victory was by an impressive 1 minute and 26 seconds, whilst Saarela won a sprint for the finish by 6 seconds.

Current long distance World Champion Christine Schaffner completed the 22 km course in 1:44:40, with the improving Dane Rikke Kornvig in second place. Third was Ksenia Chernykh, Russia, who was second in the Middle race.

Samuli Saarela won the sprint on Friday and showed his versatility with his win here. He took 1:57:07 for the 33 km course, and was closely followed into the finish by Martin Sevcik, Czech Republic and Beat Schaffner, Switzerland. There was then a gap of more than a minute and a half before the fourth rider, Erik Skovgaard Knudsen finished to take his third top-four placing of the round.

The second round of the 4-round World Cup series takes place in Poland from 4th to 6th June. This is also the venue and occasion for the first-ever World Masters MTBO Championships.

Leading results

Women

1) Christine Schaffner SUI 1:44:40
2) Rikke Kornvig DEN 1:46:06
3) Ksenia Chernykh RUS 1:46:32
4) Michaela Gigon AUT 1:46:36
5) Ingrid Stengård FIN 1:47:20
6) Hana Bajtošová SVK 1:47:59

Men

1) Samuli Saarela FIN 1:57:07
2) Martin Sevcik CZE 1:57:13
3) Beat Schaffner SUI 1:57:23
4) Erik S Knudsen DEN 1:59:05
5) Tuukka Turkka FIN 2:01:27
6) Jaroslav Rygl CZE 2:01:58