Brand-new round in Oudenaarde sees Serres and Tormena triumph

The Belgian city of Oudenaarde has proven to be a great venue for the second round of the 2021 UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup. While Italian Gaia Tormena stormed to a back-to-back win after an incredible week, Lorenzo Serres delivered France the men’s victory.

Brand-new round in Oudenaarde sees Serres and Tormena triumph

The historic city of Oudenaarde needs no presentation to anyone who’s into cycling. The finishing town of the Tour of Flanders is the heart of cycling. This Sunday, another part of cycling history was written, with the first UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup round ever on the city square in front of the magnificent town hall. Participants from eleven countries and five continents lined up for some exciting late-evening racing.

Tormena scores the hattrick!

Only 2 days after securing a third consecutive European title, Gaia Tormena had another perfect evening in Oudenaarde. The young Italian star set the fastest time in the qualifying time trials, wasn’t threatened a bit in the semi-finals, and dominantly stormed to the win in the big finals, beating German champion Lia Schrievers, Swedish Ella Holmegard, and German Marion Fromberger. With a second UCI World Cup round victory in a row, Tormena is expanding her lead in the general classification.

Serres sprints to success

His brand new European shirt seemed to be giving Jeroen van Eck wings, since The Flying Dutchman rushed to the win in the qualifying time trials, beating Leuven’s winner Simon Gegenheimer. Too bad, a mechanical problem eliminated Van Eck in the quarter-finals. Another finalist from Leuven, local favourite Jay Bytebier, didn’t make it to the big final this time. Anton Olstam from Sweden did, and opened with the holeshot. After leading almost the entire race, Olstam was beaten to the line by French rocket Lorenzo Serres. Gegenheimer secured the World Cup lead with a second place, advancing Olstam and UCI world champion Titouan Perrin-Ganier, who had a poor start.

Finish line quotes

“I wasn’t feeling really great after the European championships”, Lorenzo Serres commented. “I knew it was going to be a very, very challenging race. I left a lot of energy during Euros, but I gave all I had left today, and I am so happy I made it. It was my objective to make it into the finals, but it turned out to be even more.”

“This is an incredible week. But now, I need some rest for next week’s round in Valkenswaard – my legs feel very tired”, Gaia Tormena smiled after her third win in eight days. “I am super happy with this win. It was a great battle with Marion and Lia. I wanted to lead the entire race, but Marion was close. But I had a strong mind, kept thinking positive, and I made it!”