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UCI XC

Albstadt, the starting point

10 | 05 | 2021

The first round of the 2021 World Cup in Albstadt, has served to check the strength of all riders. For PMX Racing it didn't go as expected, but there were some encouraging signs.

After a positive Friday with Bec McConnell performing strongly in the Short Track finishing sixth, on Saturday things changed. The races started with Francesc Barber in the UCI Junior Series. The Spaniard was fighting at the front of the race and finished in a well-deserved fourth, although he felt that if he hadn't suffered those problems, he could have improved his position. Barber commented that "I finish happy but I think I could have been able to do something more".

Nove Mesto, new challenge

Sunday started with the women's race. After Bec McConnell's sixth place on Friday, the hopes were high, especially when more than a half of the race she was holding on to third place. The effort and the rythm at the start affected her negatively and from then on, she started to lose positions ending up 21st at the finish.

On the other hand, both Dan McConnell and Jofre Cullell didn’t have a good day in the men's race either. They didn’t feel good for the most part. The very strong pace by the head of the race and the track, which didn’t allow overtaking in most of its course, made them finally cross the finish line in 43rd and 55th place after 6 laps of the race. It wasn´t the best day for the team.

On a positive note, this next weekend the second race of the World Cup season takes place in Nove Mesto na Morave (Czech Republic). It will be the time to start fresh and improve the results of this past weekend leaving behind the bad sensations left by the first race in Albstadt.