Neissl and Introzzi victories in Austria
The third of a total of five runs of the iXS European Downhill Cup brought 300 participants from 34 nations to Semmering in Austria. In addition to the finals on Sunday, the titles of the Austrian state champions were also awarded on the qualifying day.
race report
Although the season hasn’t progressed that far, last weekend was already half-time at the European Cup. The series started exceptionally early in April in Croatia, before continuing in May in Maribor, Slovenia. Austria was now on the agenda before heading north to Voss in Norway. The final then takes place in Pila, Italy. Semmering was probably the venue of the European series, after last year’s iXS Downhill Cup was recommended for higher events, not least because of the extraordinary route.
The course on the magic mountain was fast, technical and natural. Jumps, stones and roots stretch over 2.2 kilometers and lead the field of participants down about 340 meters in altitude to the valley station. The track offered an enormous variety of lines, so that the drivers were additionally challenged. The infrastructure of the bike park was optimal for such a race and the view from the summit of the surrounding Styria also provided a scenic atmosphere.
The weather conditions were good all the time, so the outside conditions were constant and very pleasant. As always, six hours of training were on the program on Friday, in which the athletes studied the best lines. On Saturday morning it was time to get a good feeling on the bike again before qualifying got serious in the afternoon. In addition, the Austrians were also concerned with awarding the championship jerseys, so there was a little more excitement in the air than usual. Somewhat predictably, Valentina Höll (AUT – RockShox TREK Race Team) and David Trummer (AUT – MS Mondraker) secured the best times and thus the national championship titles.
Sunday offered the best conditions, so that nothing stood in the way of another great day of racing. Punctually at noon, the time trials begin, with the field of drivers going one step further. Exciting competitions in the individual classes deliver top-class racing.
In the end, Marlena Neissl (AUT – Bikeclubstattegg) secured the best time of 4:47.850 minutes and the prestigious victory. Only 1.8 seconds behind, Lisa Gava (ITA – 3Stars Allessibici) took second place, followed by Sophie Gutöhrle (AUT – Bikeclub Leogang).
I just won the European Downhill Cup here at Semmering. It was a perfect day. My run was maybe a bit too clean, but I’m still very satisfied.
Marlena Neissl
Stefano Introzzi (ITA – Kona Bike Center Cimone) won the Elite Men class with a time of 3:11.713 minutes. Second and third were Mael Gironde (FRA – Mtb Martigues) and Austin Dooley (USA – Commencal North America) with just over half a second.
More race reports on the iXS Downhill Cup
Results
RL_Finals_Semmering_2022_V2
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Info: Race | Photos: Rick Schubert