In the first World Cup MTB race of the year, there were some big surprises on the podium.In the women's race, the top spot was not occupied by the sport's giant, Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesja, as it usually is. Rather Chengyuan Ren, from China, has completed her initial arc of ascendancy, well-known to any who have been watching international mountain biking for the past couple years, to finish in the top spot here in the most prestigious of World Cups.
She's been coming on strong for a while now, and it appears she has arrived this year. The rest of the women's field has to be pretty worried about the trio of Chinese riders making their way toward the top rungs of the sport's ladder.
Americans take heart: Our own Georgia Gould, who has been getting great results so far this year at home, started 40th here and finished 8th. On a tight course with tough passing lanes, this is no mean feat, and suggests that Gould will be a force to be reckoned with.
In the men's race, another surprise. Juan Antonio Hermida took the win, even after fixing a jammed chain and crashing into a wiped-out lead moto.
Absalon finished second, unable to capitalize on the Spaniard's double bad luck.
North Americans fared not as well here, with Geoff Kabush coming in 12th, and Todd Wells getting 36th.
Mountain Bike season is on!
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