The 19th edition of the UCI Trials World Cup got underway on July 7-8, in Vöcklabruck, Austria, for the first of four rounds. Vöcklabruck was the second round in 2017.
Check out all the results here.
In the Men's 26" category, Jack Carthy of Great Britain began the season where he ended it last year, with a World Cup win. Carthy had a clean Final with no penalties, to become the first rider to don the leader's jersey this year. Sergi Llongueras of Spain took second and defending UCI World Cup winner Gilles Coustellier of France was third. Of note was Abel Mustieles, who finished fifth in his first World Cup participation in the 26” category. The Spanish athlete has dominated the 20" category since 2012, winning the UCI World Cup title six times in seven years.
In the absence of Mustieles, it was the veteran Benito Ros of Spain who won the Men's 20" category. Ros was second behind Mustieles in last year's World Cup. Thirty-seven-year-old Ros is now in his 14th season, and his win starts a campaign for a seventh World Cup title. Spanish riders completed the podium, with Ion Areitio finishing second and Alejandro Montalvo third.
In the Women's competition, UCI World Champion and two-time defending UCI World Cup winner Nina Reichenbach of Germany is at the top of the standings, although she finished the event tied on points with Nadine Kamark of Sweden. Reichenbach was awarded the win thanks to her superior result in the semi-final round. Alba Hidalgo of Spain was third.
Val di Sole, Italy, Trials #2 > August 25-26
Recently-crowned Spanish National Champion in the 26” category, 22-year-old Sergi Llongueras is among the new generation of a long tradition of Spanish trials stars. Llongueras took up trials riding at the age of 13, coming over from the sport of football. He showed his potential by winning the Spanish Junior 26" national title in 2014, as well as finishing second in both the UCI World Championships and the European Championships the same year. At Round 1 of the 2018 UCI Trials World Cup season in Vöcklabruck, Austria, he had one of his best results ever, finishing second in the Elite Men's 26" competition.
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