Multivan Merida teammates Näf, Hermida chase Absalon for the overall
Ralph Näf (Multivan Merida Biking Team) was showing the pain as Julien Absalon (Orbea) put the pressure on.
Ralph Näf of Team Multivan Merida will return to competition at the penultimate round of the World Cup this weekend in Champéry, Switzerland. Näf had to sit out the World Championships after an elblow injury sustained during training in the weeks prior.
"The gash I suffered at my elbow has healed completely, and I can train at full intensity again," said Näf. So I am going for a podium spot in Champéry."
Näf is still a contender for the overall World Cup, which Julien Absalon (Orbea) leads comfortably. It's mathematically possible for both Näf and his teammate Jose Antonio Hermida to overtake the Frenchman.
"This weekend, my main goal is to defend my second place in the World Cup's overall," said Hermida. "I've turned my attention to winning. Everything is still possible."
The pair will be joined by Jochen Käss, who, like Näf, is also making his return to elite competition following injury. While training on Mont Ste. Anne's World Cup course, the German suffered a broken upper arm and underwent surgery. Less than two months after the accident, Käss is back to racing World Cups after testing his legs and his healing arm at a local race last weekend.
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Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews. She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.
