Men’s results - Round 1 - UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup Abu Dhabi (UAE)
1. Titouan Perrin-Ganier (FRA)
2. Daniel Castillo Noyola (MEX)
3. Killian Demangeon (FRA)
4. Anton Olstam (SWE)
5. Simon Gegenheimer (GER)
Marcela Lima and Titouan Perrin-Ganier dominate in Abu Dhabi
With riders from over 15 countries in action on a challenging race course at Wolfi’s Bike Shop in front of an amazing public, the exciting format saw the riders compete in heats of four, which resulted in interesting races.
Marcela Lima and Titouan Perrin-Ganier dominate in Abu Dhabi
Marcela Lima started her season with an outstanding victory in the inaugural 2022 UCI World Cup. The Brazilian attacked and outsprinted Dutch champion Didi de Vries in the final meters. In the men’s competition, French champion Titouan Perrin-Ganier stormed to victory and held off Mexico’s Daniel Castillo Noyola and fellow French rider Killian Demangeon.
Brazil’s Marcela Lima scores again
Last year’s overall winner of the UCI World Cup, Gaia Tormena was the woman to beat at the season inaugural. She was the fastest in the qualifying time trials but had to satisfy with fourth position due a crash in the finals.
Some exciting racing saw Marcela Lima once again claim the win, ahead of Dutch rider Didi de Vries, and Germany’s Marion Fromberger. Marcela Lima writes history, as she takes the win in her second-ever participation at the UCI World Cup, following a spectacular victory on home soil back in 2018 in Congonhas/MG, Brazil.
“This felt so good. I came with one goal to Abu Dhabi: to win. I still can’t believe I’d actually do so. I’m over the moon. I dedicate this victory for my family and friends in Brazil, as it wouldn’t be possible without their ongoing support. Quite an impressive race course here in Abu Dhabi, I pretty much liked it. Would be nice to be back again,” said Marcela Lima afterwards.
Early season victory for Titouan Perrin-Ganier
Titouan Perrin-Ganier was the strongest in the first UCI World Cup of the 2022 season, setting the fastest time, by beating Quentin Schrotzenberger and Daniel Castillo Soto in the qualifying time trials. Titouan managed to continue his amazing efforts and rode solo to finish in style at the inaugural UCI World Cup. Mexico’s Daniel Castillo Soto came in second ahead of Killian Demangeon (France) and Sweden’s Anton Olstam.
Defending UCI World Champion Simon Gegenheimer didn’t make the big final after losing an intense sprint during the semi-finals, but took glory in the small final and settled for fifth overall.
Titouan Perrin-Ganier said: “The racing was so tough, we had a tight battle in the first lap of the final heat. Luckily, I was able to find a gap and ride full gas towards the finish line to win solo. It was great to have competed in an amazing location here in Abu Dhabi with such an amazing crowd and I cannot wait to defend my leader’s jersey for the next race in Leuven.”
Lima and Perrin-Ganier first leaders
Titouan Perrin-Ganier leads the men’s standings by 35 points over Daniel Castillo Noyola, with Killian Demangeon in third position. In the women’s competition, Marcela Lima tops the standings with 80 points while Gaia Tormena is second with 55 points. Didi de Vries is third with 52 points.
The next stop of the UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup will be held on Sunday, June 5 at the Ladeuzeplein in Leuven, Belgium.
Women’s results - Round 1 - UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup Abu Dhabi (UAE)
1. Marcela Lima (BRA)
2. Didi de Vries (NED)
3. Marion Fromberger (GER)
4. Gaia Tormena (ITA)
5. Laurie Vezie (FRA)
