Vidaurre faked a puncture to get on a wheel and ended up winning a World Championship

Martín Vidaurre is currently one of the big names in international XCO, but 2021 was the year when the Chilean definitely began to attract the attention of all fans. He was crowned world champion in the Under 23 category in Val di Sole and then confirmed his huge season with several victories in the World Cup. He has now revealed a curious strategy he used during that rainbow race.

Vidaurre faked a flat tire during the first World Championship he won 

Vidaurre himself recounted this in a recent interview with the Chilean media DSsports. During the 2021 U23 XCO World Championship, he realized very early on that he had the legs to win, but also that he was expending too much energy.

The Chilean was riding at the front of a group that included some of the names that are now regulars in international XCO, such as Charlie Aldridge, Simone Avondetto, Juri Zanotti, or Jofre Cullell. In one of the fastest and pedaling sections, Vidaurre was pulling into a headwind and understood that continuing at the front would mean unnecessary fatigue.

It was then that he resorted to an unusual strategy. Vidaurre faked having a flat rear tire, moved to one side, and let the other riders pass. His rivals continued while he took advantage of the maneuver to position himself behind the group and shield himself from the wind.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RECOMENDADO

"I'm going to ride in Andorra no matter what" Martin Vidaurre shows how he got injured in La Thuile

Martin Vidaurre was injured in La Thuile, will miss the short track event, and his participation on Sunday is in doubt

“It’s really difficult for the heavier riders”: Evenepoel warns Van der Poel and Van Aert ahead of the World Championships

The MTB World Cup enjoys its best year yet on HBO Max

Display, assistance and shifting on the handlebar with the new Avinox DP200

Felix Gall signs with Lidl-Trek through 2029 and brings Gregor Mühlberger with him

A post shared by DSPORTS Chile (@dsportscl)

There was no flat tire. He had simply found a way to stop pulling and save energy without revealing his intentions. The maneuver was just a small episode in a race where Vidaurre ended up demonstrating his superiority. 

The Chilean was crowned world champion with more than 1 minute ahead of Italian Juri Zanotti and Swiss Joel Roth. Jofre Cullell finished fifth.

1. Martín Vidaurre — 1:10:31
2. Juri Zanotti — +1:03
3. Joel Roth — +1:38
4. Luca Schätti — +1:55
5. Jofre Cullell — +2:23

That World Championship marked a turning point in his career. Vidaurre continued winning in the U23 World Cup that season and ended up conquering the overall title. He remained in the category for one more year, wearing the rainbow jersey, before making the jump to Elite.

Two years after that victory in Val di Sole, he began his stage in the top category with Specialized Factory Racing. Now, already established among the references of current XCO, Vidaurre has revealed that behind his first rainbow there was also room for strategy and cunning.