Trek World Racing Take 3 Podium Places and Retain Leader Jersey After Challenging Weekend At Champery

This weekend in Champery, Switzerland, saw the fourth rounds of both the XC and DH UCI Mountain Bike World Cups. Star of the weekend was XC rider, Mathias Flueckiger (SUI), who had an outstanding ride in his home country securing 4th place on the podium in the Men's Elite, and in so doing, also taking 1st place in the Under 23 category and retaining the Under 23 Leader's Jersey for the 4th consecutive race. Mathias, who's not let go of the jersey since the start of the series, rode sensationally, locked in a tough battle with current World Champion and fellow Swiss, Nino Schurter, for most of the race, and finishing ahead of multi-World and Olympic Champion, Julien Absalon (FRA).

Last year Mathias finished 5th on this course and with the World Championships set for Champery in 2011, things are looking good for the young Swiss.

Fortune didn't shine on older brother, Lukas, whose rear derailleur was damaged beyond repair when a wayward tree branch was flung into his drive train as another rider innocently ran over it. The damage was severe and as it happened in the start loop, Luk found himself in last place (175th) and a long way from the Tech Zone. He decided to retire, hand over to younger brother Mathias, and save his legs for next week.

In the Women's Elite race, Emily Batty (CAN) rode strong and hard to secure a fantastic 3rd place on the podium in the Under 23 title race. Fighting hard from her starting position of 28, Emily moved up 8 places in the start loop dropping only slightly to finish 23rd by the end of the 5 lap race, out of a field of 120 elite women.

Mathias said: "The start was very important and I had to get to the front quickly – it was so important to stick to the front. The start loop was very difficult with lots of mud and lots of riders walking which cost me time. Then many others crashed and I was very worried but I managed to fight up to the top and find a good rhythm. I rode the technical parts well but the steep uphill was hard which showed in the last lap but I'm very, very happy with this result and to podium again at home is brilliant!" Emily said: "The second half was much better than the first – I finally turned it on and managed to catch a couple of girls. I was riding well on the descents and my Elite Hard Tail made for quick, fast running when I had to get off, which there was quite a lot of today. I'm really pleased I found it at the end and snuck in third!"

Lazer Sport is proud to support the Trek World Racing team!

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