Women’s results - Round 1 - UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup Sakarya (TUR)
1. Marion Fromberger (GER)
2. Annemoon van Dienst (NED)
3. Didi de Vries (NED)
4. Gaia Tormena (ITA)
5. Iryna Popova (UKR)
Season Opener Spectacle in Sakarya
Unleashing Thrills at the UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup in Sakarya, Türkiye
Season Opener Spectacle in Sakarya
Unleashing Thrills at the UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup in Sakarya
The 2023 UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup made its way to the beautiful city of Sakarya, Türkiye, for the first round of the season. The venue was set up in a stunning location with challenging terrain, testing the skills and endurance of the world’s top Eliminator riders.
Fromberger shines at the season opener
In a display of exceptional speed and skill in the women’s race, Gaia Tormena blazed through the qualifying time trials, setting the fastest time among all the competitors.
The women’s finals started off with a fierce battle for the top spot, with riders jostling for position right from the beginning. The Italian rider, Gaia Tormena, put in a strong performance, taking a blistering start, but was closely followed by the German rider, Marion Fromberger, who overpassed UCI World Champion Tormena on the first uphill section. Tormena then tried to catch up with Fromberger, but Tormena went off the course, and Fromberger soloed to glory. Fromberger secured her first leader’s jersey of the season, with Annemoon van Dienst holding off Didi de Vries for second place. The UCI World Champion Gaia Tormena had to satisfy with fourth place. Iryna Popova from Ukraine completed the top five.
Perrin-Ganier’s first UCI World Cup win in the rainbow jersey
The qualifying time trials were hotly contested, with riders vying for a place in the finals. Among them was the rider who clocked the fastest time, the Frenchman, Thibaut Kahlhoven. He put in a spectacular performance, showcasing his incredible skill and speed, as he did in Aalen last year. However, despite his best efforts, Kahlhoven was unable to secure a spot in the quarter finals.
As the semi-finals got underway, the crowd was buzzing with excitement, eager to see the Turkish athletes battle it out for the top spot. Despite their valiant efforts, the Turkish athletes faced tough challenges and fell short of claiming the top spots in the semi-finals.
In the men’s finals, the riders started off at a blistering pace, with the French rider, Titouan Perrin-Ganier, taking an early lead, and eyeing another win in Sakarya. The UCI World Champion emerged as the winner, crossing the finish line ahead of his teammate Simon Gegenheimer, and marked Perrin-Ganier’s first UCI World Cup win in the rainbow jersey. The French rider, Quentin Schrotzenberger, put in a solid performance, finishing in third place, while his compatriot, Eddy Steiblé, surprisingly finished in fourth place. The Estonian rider, Kirill Tarassov, rounded off the podium finishing in fifth place.
Finish line quotes
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have won the first round of the UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup. The course was challenging, but I felt confident in my abilities and was able to ride to my strengths. It’s a great feeling to be the first leader of the series, and I’m looking forward to the next round with even more determination to defend my position.” – Marion Fromberger
“Winning the first UCI World Cup in the rainbow jersey is a dream come true for me. The course was challenging and required me to be at my best, but I was able to ride with confidence and determination to take home the win. This victory is not just mine, but it belongs to my new team and everyone who has supported me along the way. I’m thrilled to have made them proud, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season holds.” – Titouan Perrin-Ganier
With the momentum from Sakarya, the athletes will use the brief interlude to fine-tune their strategies, push their limits in training, and prepare for the challenges that await them in Leuven. The next round promises to be a thrilling showcase of skill, determination, and fierce competition, as riders seek to get their hands on the iconic UCI World Cup leader’s jersey.
Men’s results - Round 1 - UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup Sakarya (TUR)
1. Titouan Perrin-Ganier (FRA)
2. Simon Gegenheimer (GER)
3. Quentin Schrotzenberger (FRA)
4. Eddy Steible (FRA)
5. Kirill Tarassov (EST)
