Schwarzbauer beats Schurter in the sprint to win the XCC Andorra 2023 World Cup victory

German Luca Schwarzbauer had a bitter incident at the last XCC World Championships that he wanted to make up for in Andorra. He was undoubtedly the strongest and has taken a well-deserved victory in the Andorra 2023 XCC World Cup.

Luca Schwarzbauer wins the XCC World Cup Andorra 2023

With the absence of the World Champion of the modality, New Zealand's Sam Gaze, all eyes were on the British Tom Pidcock, who could be said to be racing at home, he lives in Andorra, and came to this Short Track straight from a vacation after winning the XCO World Championship in Glasgow.

The leader of the general classification in XCC, Luca Schwarzbauer was in charge of setting the pace of the race during the first lap. A high pace with which the German seemed very comfortable but could not select the group.

The big surprise was the position of Pidcock, who on lap 3 still could not get out of the penultimate place.

Jordan Sarrou (BMC Team), Mathias Fluckiger (Thomus Maxon) and Nino Schurter (SCOTT SRAM), Joshua Dubau (Rockrider Ford), Alan Haterly (Cannondale FR) and Gerardo Ulloa (Massi) formed the front pack that was still led by Schwarzbauer (Canyon CLLCTV) after lap 5.

Nobody gave in and the last lap started with an attack at Schwarzbauer's pace to which the Frenchman Sarrou responded and both opened a small gap that again closed Fluckiger downhill. Nino Schurter also tried, but no one could with Schwarzbauer.

Everything was decided in a sprint between Nino Schurter and Luca Schwarzbauer in the finishing straight that was resolved with victory for the German. Third was Jordan Sarrou.

Results XCC World Cup Pal Arinsa Andorra 2023 - Men

1. SCHWARZBAUER Luca (CANYON CLLCTV) 20:13
2. SCHURTER Nino (SCOTT-SRAM MTB RACING TEAM)  
3. SARROU Jordan (TEAM BMC)
4. HATHERLY Alan (CANNONDALE FACTORY RACING) 
5. FLÜCKIGER Mathias (THÖMUS MAXON)
6. BRAIDOT Luca (SANTA CRUZ ROCKSHOX PRO TEAM)
7. DUBAU Joshua (ROCKRIDER FORD RACING TEAM) 
8. ULLOA AREVALO Jose Gerardo (MASSI)
9. DASCALU Vlad (TREK FACTORY RACING XC) 
10. BLUMS Martins (KMC MTB RACING TEAM)