27/04/08 Source: UCI. Incredible, Julien Absalon. In Offenburg, the French rider won his second World Cup in a week, the fourteenth of his career, confirming his world lead on the cross country scene. The Swiss Christoph Sauser is second while Florian Vogel climbs onto the last step of the podium.

This man rides on another planet! A week after his victory in Houffalize, the French rider for the Orbea team once again dominated all the best cross country riders. On an overheated course (unlike last year) and to the applause of more than 17’000 spectators, the fight was intense from the outstart. Switzerland was well represented with Sauser (Specialized), Schurter and Vogel (Swisspower MTB Team). They were accompanied by Jose Antonio Hermida (Merida Multivan MTB Team), Julien Absalon and Jean Christophe Peraud (Orbea), Cedric Ravanel (Lapierre) and the surprising American Adam Craig (Giant).

"Jose decided that the leading group was too large and accelerated" Julien Absalon explained straight after the finish. But after an hour of racing, the Olympic Champion took the lead. End of story. Riding for second place, the chasing group blew up in the final laps. Third in Belgium last week, Christoph Sauser took second place this time just ahead of Florian Vogel, who missed the opening round last week (broken chain). Three Swiss in the top four! The Olympic selection could well provide a headache for the national coach Urs Gräf.

In the World Cup standings with 500 points is the four times World Champion Absalon. Christoph Sauser is second with 360 points while the leader of the Under 23 category Nino Schurter is in third place with 350 pts.

The World Cup is now on its way to Madrid where the third round of the World Cup takes place next week. Julien Absalon won the last two editions (2005 and 2006) in the Spanish capital city. The man dreams of a triple to knock back his opponents. But many others are also dreaming of glory. Will they manage to overthrow the king? The answer next Sunday.

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