Nino Schurter wins the 36th in the XCO World Cup in Val di Sole

Nino Schurter takes the victory in the XCO World Cup of Val di Sole. The Swiss rider escaped with Hatherly and embarked on a solo ride that gave him a sensational victory on one of his favorite circuits. Azzaro was the fastest in a tremendous final sprint that he disputed with Luca Braidot and Colombo, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Nino Schurter defeats history: 36th victory and 80th podium in the XCO World Cup of Val di Sole

The clouds arrived in Val di Sole and threatened to complicate the existence of the 101 riders called to compete in the fourth round of the XCO World Cup. The start was clean and the huge peloton began to pedal through the iconic Italian circuit. Nino Schurter fulfilled his promise, took the lead of the race from the beginning, and pushed the pace. The short lap proved futile for differences to emerge, although the stretched group was already a sign of the Swiss rider's hard pedal strokes.

De Froidmont replaced Schurter in the leadership effort, although the Belgian's participation was testimonial and almost immediately Nino took the lead again. The return of the Swiss to the forefront then caused leg pain for those who tried to keep up with him.

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Schurter's pedal strokes took a toll when he attacked in a move that only Hatherly, Sarrou, and Vidaurre responded to. The four riders joined forces in a quartet that worked well together, aware that it was time to open a gap with the others. The pace remained steady but high, and the distances began to appear, sinking Andreassen, De Fridmont, Azzaro, and Schuermans 15 seconds behind.

Jofre Cullell had an excellent start and -after starting 15th following a great XCC- he positioned himself in tenth place. The other side of the coin was represented by usual victory contenders like Koretzky and Blevins, who found themselves far from the top positions.

Hatherly took the lead while behind, a large group of riders vied to lead the chase to the leading quartet. Colombo dragged Azzaro, Gaze, and Schuermans in an attempt to catch up with the fight for victory. Although both groups kept a close pace, the balance tipped in favor of the pursuers, and the third lap began with eight cyclists at the front of the race: Hatherly, Schurter, Vidaurre, Sarrou, Azzaro, Colombo, Schuermans, Colombo, and Braidot.

The arrival of so many people spurred Schurter to once again shake up the race. A new attack from the Swiss rider broke the deck definitively: a solo ride that was only replicated by an ironclad Hatherly. The move came on one of the climbs of the Italian circuit and exhausted the reserves of Vidaurre and Azzaro, who were soon swallowed up by the chasing group.

Hatherly and Schurter formed a duo that managed to open a gap with those behind. The constant position changes of the pursuers contrasted with the cleanliness and composure of the leading duo. Simon Andreassen's abandonment came when Schurter hardened the pace again, while Hatherly pulled with determination and contained the attacks with tremendous effectiveness.

Schurter stayed ahead and Hatherly struggled to keep up, sheltered behind the Swiss rider. And then came the decisive move. Schurter read the race like no one else and spread his wings at a key moment that hurt Hatherly, who first conceded a few meters and then managed to stop the bleeding; a few seconds but many watts in between.

Schurter's freshness was evident, with a smoother pedaling than Hatherly, who stubbornly clung to the utopian comeback. 6 seconds. 12 seconds. 15 seconds.

With the top two positions secured, attention focused on the crazy battle for third place. The chasing group -Guerrini, Azzaro, Luca Braidot, Forster, Sarrou, Avondetto, Colombo, Schuermans, and Vidaurre- engaged in an internal struggle to conquer the third spot on the podium, and blows were exchanged relentlessly.

The head situation stabilized completely as Schurter consumed the last kilometers of the race. The Swiss rider was building the victory with a comfortable advantage and kept at bay the endless threat of Hatherly. And so, without surprises or unexpected twists, Schurter pedaled to raise his arms at the finish line and confirm the victory in the World Cup in Val di Sole. Each of Schurter's triumphs is a challenge to history: 9 victories in Val di Sole, 36 victories, and 80 podiums in the World Cup.

Hatherly finished second with all honors, while the battle for third place offered an agonizing final sprint between Azzaro, Braidot, and Colombo. The Frenchman was the fastest, despite catching up with the two escapees at the last minute, and took the third position.