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To the Ardennes
The third World Cup of the Season – Houffalize
The World Cup riders took to the start again this last weekend at the Belgian Houffalize circuit. Set in the Ardenne, the race is considered a classic on the calendar. It dominates the small town for the weekend, as the place is over-run by the World Cup circus.
Irina Finishes 9th… looks forward.
The race itself didn’t go optimally for the former World Champion Irina Kalentieva. Losing a few places at the start, she found herself unable to make them back up. “I have done five races in five weekends, and just didn’t really have the legs for it.”
At one point she managed to pull herself up to fourth position, but then slipped back to finish a respectable ninth - not what the Russian National Champion starts a race aiming to do. “I am not pleased with my performance here today. I will use it as motivation though. In Madrid, I will have renewed energy and fight in me” Kalentieva said, voicing her frustration following the race.
Wolfram takes 2nd again!
For the men, the race was a duplicate of that in Offenburg. Former German Champion Wolfram Kurschat started well, but lost many places on the first lap while finding his rhythm. The chase was then on from 27th. By the penultimate lap he was chasing the small group in positions 3, 4 and 5. With a final attack he again pulled into second position, finishing behind four times World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Julian Absalon. This is no mean feat, and Kurschat was overjoyed again.
“The plan came together once again” he beamed following the race.
