Fontana, Flückiger, Lechner and Ferrand-Prevot excel at 'cross nationals

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Swiss cross nats podium: Marcel Wildhaber, Lukas Flueckiger, Simon Zahner — Swiꦛss cross nats podium: Marcel Wildhaber, Lukas Flueckiger, Simon Zahner (Image credit: Scott-Odlo MTB Racing Team)

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Marcel Wildhaber sprints for second at the Swiss 'cross nationals — Marcel Wildha✅ber sprints for second at the Swisꦡs 'cross nationals (Image credit: Scott-Odlo MTB Racing Team)

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Florian Vogel and Marcel Wildhaber lead before the last lap — Florian Vogel and Marcel Wildhab🌼er lead before the ♎last lap (Image credit: Scott-Odlo MTB Racing Team)

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Marcel Wildhaber in action (Image credit: Scott-Odlo MTB Racing Team)

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Marcel Wildhaber on a slippery descent (Image credit: Scott-Odlo MTB Racing Team)

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Marcel Wildhaber negotiates a barrier (Image credit: Scott-Odlo MTB Racing Team)

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Marco Aurelio Fontana (Cannondale) en route to a podium finish at the 2013 'cross World Cup round in Rome, Italy — Marco Aurelio Fontana (Cannondale) en route to a podium finish at the 2013 'cross World𒊎 Cup round in Rome, Ita𓆏ly (Image credit: Photopress.be)

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Eva Lechner finished third (Image credit: Photopress.be)

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Kerry Werner (Lees-McRae) running the Belgian Steps on lap one — Kerry Werner (🎐Lees-McRae) r🦋unning the Belgian Steps on lap one (Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)

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Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) having little problem with the off-camber stuff — Katie Comptꦏon (Trek Cyclo✃cross Collective) having little problem with the off-camber stuff (Image credit: Dave McElwaine)

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Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) moved quickly to the top ten after a poor starting grid position — Georgia Gould (Luna Pro Team) moved quickly to the top ten after a poor startin𒁏g grid position (Image credit: Dave McElwaine)

At cyclo-cross national championships held around💛 the globe this weekend, several mountain bikers took a break from their mountain bike pre-season preparations and rode to victory or other podium spots.

Switzerland's 'cross nationals was dominated by mountain bikers, especially in the elite men's category. Lukas Flü♓ckiger (BMC) attacked the remaining group of leaders on a long climb before the finish and took the title ahead of Marcel Wildhaber (Scott-Odlo MTB Racing). Other notable mountain biker finishes were Florian Vogel (Scott-Odlo MTB Racing) in sixth, Mathias Flückiger in seventh and Julien Taramarcaz in eighth.

168澳洲5最新开奖结果:In the US, Katie Compton, who is best known for her international cyclo-cross accomplishments, topped the women's podium. Although she h꧃as stopped racing mountain bikes in recent years to focus on 'cross, she is a former US short track mountain bike national champion. Among the currently active mountain bikers, Georgia Gould (Luna) led the pack in fifth place while Chloe Woodruff (Crankbrothers Race Club) was ninth, despite a crash early in the race.

Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews. She coordinates all ꦯof the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.