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Val di Sole: Irina sprints to the podium!
In an exciting finale, Irina sprints onto the podium at the latest World Cup!
In a well fought battle Ira lands third place, Wolfram riders for the first time following his broken ribs – finishing 32nd, while Robert Mennen had to drop out exhausted.
Just one week before the Marathon World Championship – taking place in St. Wendel, Germany, the team travelled to Italy to the Val di Sole for the fifth round of the World Cup series.
The reigning World Champion Irina Kalentieva had a great race with a surprise return to form. Following her 14th place finish last week, she surprised not only herself, but the team and the spectators. It started well, and after two laps she was placed in 6th position. It was obvious though that there was more to come, and by the 4th lap she was in 3rd. The race was on for the podium. In a sprint against American Katherina Compton she won, taking the third step. “I was surprised today with how well I rode. With the performance at Champéry in my mind, I didn’t think I had it in me.”
Wolfram Kurschat race deliberately and defensively. “I just didn’t know how my body and ribs would react to the demands of competition. The pain has gone, but racing is different”, Wolfram said, following the race. The start loop was the first real test and he found himself falling back to 83rd position. From here, his tempo and position bettered lap for lap resulting in a 32nd place finish.
Robert Mennen’s day didn’t go quite as well, and he decided to drop out after four laps. “The races that I have done in the last few weeks have really left me tired out. I just didn’t have the energy to continue”, the 25 year old explained.
