World Champion Schurter wins in Italy

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Nino Schurter (Scott Swisspower) and Eva Lechner won the Internazionali d'Italia - Marlene Sunshine Race in Nalles, Italy, on Sunday.

World Champion Nino Schurter and his teammate Florian Vogel were out to test their legs before the first World Cup next weekend. Vogel was also in his first race since the Cape Epic mountain bike stage race in March.

A lead group formed early on which contained Tony Longo (Full Dynamix), Stephan Tempier (Bianchi), Vogel and Schurter. The Italian Longo dropped back after a mechanical, but Frenchmen Tempier hung tough to challenge the two Scott Swisspower favorites.

Finally, the Swiss teammates got away on the final climb and it appeared they would go one-two at the end. However, to the surprise of the many spectators, Schurter crossed the line solo with no Vogel in sight. Tempier was second at 12 seconds.

Finally after waiting for another four minutes, Vogel crossed the line running in fifth place. On the last descent, he got too close to a security mat and ripped off his rear derailleur.

"More important than loosing first or second place is the confirmation that I'm in good shape and ready for the World Cup," said Vogel. "Another guy that seems to be more than ready is Nino. He looked very confident and is hungry to win more."

In the women's race, Lechner defeated Tanja Zakelj and Nathalie Schneitter.

Schurter's young teammate, Andri Frischknecht, won his first Under 17 race.

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