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The first World Cup held in Andorra saw some changes in the cross-country and 4-cross hierarchies.

Margarita Fullana (Massi) and Christoph Sauser (Specialized) win this Andorran stage in cross-country and in doing so close in on the leaders of the overall standings. In 4-cross, Anneke Beerten (Ms-Intense Factory Team) strengthens her  lead in the World Cup ranking with another victory. Dan Atherton (Animal Commençal) wins his first World Cup race. Guido Tschugg is the new World Cup leader.

Races at high altitude often have a few surprises in store… And that was definitely the case today in the cross-country races. The women were the first to appear on the scene on a fairly wet circuit. First information: Dahle (Multivan Merida Biking Team), Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon) and Spitz (Central Ghost) did not come to Andorra. And from the first kilometers onwards, the Spanish Margarita Fullana (Massi) made the most of their absence to take the lead. The former World Champion (1999 and 2000), who has already won thirteen World Cup titles in her career so far, appeared in cracking form. Behind her, the Canadian Marie-Helene Premont (Rocky Mountain), tried her best to narrow the gap. But the surprise came from Eva Lechner. The Italian Colnago Team rider, European champion last year in the Under 23 category, clung to second place. Eventually, in a little less than two hours, the Iberian rider achieved her fourteenth World Cup victory while her young rival climbed onto the podium for the first time. After a good come back, Prémont finished third and holds onto her lead in the Nissan UCI World Cup presented by Shimano.

Among the men, riders put a price on Julien Absalon's head after his three victories this season. At the outset, the Olympic champion fell. More lucid, Christoph Sauser took the lead. A group of seven men gathered behind him but before long, it was the amazing Burry Stander (GT), Under 23 winner in Madrid, who chased after the Swiss Specialised rider. Two laps from the end of the race, the South African made an incredible come back to overtake Sauser, victim of a puncture. But the Marathon World Champion still had it in him to come back. Stander fell and was overcome by cramps. This was enough for Sauser, who took over to take his twelfth World Cup victory. Stander finished second and Geoff Kabush, Canadian champion, third.

In 4-cross, Anneke Beerten (Ms-Intense Factory Team) continued to dominate the World Cup. The Dutch rider, who never looked worried throughout the runs, was once again victorious and strenghtens her lead in the overall World Cup standings. Her teammate, Mio Suemasa, took second place.

Among the men, Vallnord's spectacular race produced a great winner! A year after his brother Gee, it was Dan Atherton's turn to win a stage of the World Cup. Animal Commençal's British rider surpassed the American World Champion Brian Lopes. The German rider Guido Tschugg, finsihed third to take the leader's jersey.

Source: UCI

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