Jiri Hradil, Czech Republic and Christine Schaffner, Switzerland were the winners in the middle distance race, the second race in the first round of this year’s MTBO World Cup being held at Balatonfüred, Hungary.

Hradil, silver medallist at middle distance in last year’s World Championships, powered round the 14.3 km course to win by an emphatic 2 minutes and 10 seconds over Beat Schaffner, Switzerland. Third was Erik Skovgaard Knudsen, Denmark, continuing his good form after getting second place in the sprint.

Christine Schaffner is the current long distance World Champion and also won the bronze medal at middle distance last year. On today’s 11.1 km course she won by 53 seconds ahead of Ksenia Chernykh, Russia. Local rider Veronika Cseh gained good publicity for herself and MTBO in Hungary by finishing third. Sprint winner and World Rankings leader Michaela Gigon, Austria was seventh.

The course was physically demanding and placed a lot of emphasis on good route choice, as will no doubt also be the case in the final race in the round over long distance.

Leading results

Women

1) Christine Schaffner SUI 58:12
2) Ksenia Chernykh RUS 59:05
3) Veronika Cseh HUN 60:16
4) Marika Hara FIN 60:44
5) Martina Tichovska CZE 61:07
6) Ann-Dorthe Lisbygd DEN 61:12

Men

1) Jiri Hradil CZE 63:07
2) Beat Schaffner SUI 65:17
3) Erik S Knudsen DEN 66:05
4) Ruslan Gritsan RUS 66:17
5) Jussi Laurila FIN 66:19
6) Tobias Breitschädel AUT 66:21

73 riders took part in the men’s race and 47 in the women’s.